Abstract: Methods and associated structure for verifying the identity of a consumer in a financial card transaction. The method provides for issuing at least one authorization request through standard card transaction networks and protocols. The amount of each transaction and/or the number of transactions is preferably randomly generated. If the purported cardholder confirms the random amounts and or number of transactions the purported cardholder is identified as an authorized cardholder. The authorized transactions are never captured (completed) and hence are removed by the issuing institution in accordance with the institutions rules for the account. Since the transactions are never captured, no funds are transferred to or from the card holder's account by virtue of the verification process.