A new mobile phone app is being trialled which lets some London shoppers pay for things by using just their name and their photo.

Shops, cafes and restaurants in Richmond have signed up to the new payment system which allows them to accept payments through customers PayPal accounts.

Andriod, Windows OS and iOS users will be alerted to nearby places that accept PayPal and then be given the option to check in to that place once they’ve entered. The customer’s name and photo then appears on the shops or restaurants system so that they’re able to charge them for their purchases.

Once charged, the customer will receive an alert telling them how much they’ve paid along with an email receipt.
This new system is a nod towards the much-talked about ‘cashless society’ and follows another PayPal payment system where customers are able to create and use a barcode to make payments in certain high street stores.

Rob Harper, head of retail services at PayPal, said: “Through our Richmond initiative, we’re pleased to help local businesses of all sizes offer a new more personal experience, while never having to turn away customers who don’t have enough cash on them to pay.

“Now locals in Richmond can leave their wallet or purse at home and be the first in the country to use their profile picture to pay.”