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Do stores use bank account info to analyze shopping patterns? (mander.xyz)

submitted 3 months ago* (last edited 3 months ago) by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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Out of a reflex of distrust, I refuse to participate in any kind of loyalty program of the outlet of the large retail store around the corner.

I tell myself that by refusing to join the loyalty program (which basically comes down to scanning an anonymous loyalty card every time I make a purchase), I prevent them from adding my correlations (what products I buy, in what combos, at what time) to their data.

But since I normally pay by card, I guess they can (and do) already do that with my bank account information?

If I would pay with cash, they can still see those correlations per purchase, but they can't track my purchases over time?

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[–] [email protected] 6 points 3 months ago

I'm guessing you're talking about debit cards. From the Canadian Government: yes.

In detail:

Payment terminals can also be built to feed into a retailer’s "customer relationship management" database so that a retailer can track your purchases and tie those to other information about you, such as your email address, if you have given it to them. Financial institutions and payment card network operators could also profile you based on your purchase information.

This purchase information could potentially be shared and linked with information held by loyalty card companies, data brokers, or marketers.

If it's possible, then it's a revenue stream, so I assume it'd be done.