Across the UK, thousands of appointees, deputies, and attorneys under Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) manage money for people who can’t do so themselves. Their shared mission is to protect finances while promoting independence and dignity — but traditional banking tools often make this harder than it should be.
Managing multiple PINs, keeping receipts, and worrying about card misuse are everyday challenges. Now, new technologies such as biometric payment cards and tokenised wearable devices are changing that — making payments simpler, safer, and more inclusive for vulnerable people and those who support them.
The Challenge: Outdated Tools for Modern Care
For years, financial management under appointeeship, deputyship, or LPA arrangements has relied on PIN-based systems and paper processes. These can be risky and inefficient, particularly when multiple carers are involved.
PIN sharing, forgotten passwords, and limited oversight can expose people to financial abuse or error. What’s needed is a smarter, more secure way to manage daily spending — one that empowers individuals while protecting them.
That’s where Money Carer, the UK’s leading social enterprise in this field, is driving innovation.
The Solution: Biometric Carer Cards
A biometric carer card looks like any standard debit card, but instead of entering a PIN, the user verifies payments with their fingerprint. This simple shift eliminates the need to remember or share PINs, while adding a powerful layer of security.
Developed in partnership with Infineon Technologies, Money Carer’s biometric carer card is the first in the UK designed specifically for people under appointeeship, deputyship, or LPA management.
Why It Matters
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No more PIN sharing: carers and deputies don’t need to handle sensitive codes.
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Supports independence: where possible, individuals can make small transactions safely.
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Built-in transparency: every payment is visible in real time, helping demonstrate compliance with safeguarding duties.
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Customisable controls: limits, merchant filters, and top-ups can be tailored to each person’s care plan.
A Step Further: Tokenised Wearable Payments
For those who find traditional cards or smartphones hard to use, tokenised wearables — like payment rings, wristbands, or keyrings — provide a dignified alternative.
These devices hold a secure, encrypted “token” version of the payment card, not the actual details. If a wearable is lost, it can be deactivated instantly, without affecting the main account.
Money Carer enables appointees and deputies to issue wearables linked to managed accounts, giving carers or clients safe, controlled access to funds.
Benefits of Wearable Payments
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Convenient and discreet: no phone, app, or PIN required.
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Ultra-secure: tokenisation prevents unauthorised use.
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Flexible: multiple devices can connect to one account with specific permissions.
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Fully controllable: spending can be paused, adjusted, or replaced via the Money Carer dashboard.
Leading the Way in Financial Safeguarding
Money Carer pioneered the original “carer card” in 2010 and now runs Monika, the UK’s largest payments and appointeeship management platform. Used by local authorities, law firms, and families nationwide, it integrates banking, spending controls, and now biometric and wearable technologies.
This infrastructure ensures that payments are not only compliant with DWP, OPG, and Court of Protection standards — but also practical for everyday use in care settings.
Insights from Beyond the PIN
Money Carer’s white paper, “Beyond the PIN: A Practical Approach to Financial Inclusion for Banks”, argues that traditional PIN-based systems no longer meet the needs of many vulnerable customers.
By combining:
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Possession (cards or wearables),
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Inherence (biometrics), and
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Control (real-time monitoring),
financial management becomes safer, more inclusive, and easier to evidence. The white paper provides a blueprint for banks and public bodies seeking to modernise safeguarding frameworks and promote financial inclusion under the FCA’s Consumer Duty.
How to Put This into Practice
For appointees, deputies, and attorneys, implementing biometric and wearable payment solutions is straightforward:
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Choose a trusted provider – use a specialist platform like Money Carer’s Appointeeship Service.
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Set clear rules – define transaction limits, merchant categories, and automatic top-ups.
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Assign roles – carers can use wearables for daily spending, while the supported person may use a biometric card for independence.
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Maintain transparency – track activity, store receipts, and record best-interest decisions.
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Plan for the unexpected – tokenised tech allows instant freezing or replacement if a device is lost.
The Impact
For the Person Supported
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Restores dignity and choice.
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Reduces anxiety about cash or forgotten PINs.
For Appointees, Deputies, and Attorneys
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Saves time and reduces administrative risk.
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Provides clear, auditable records for regulators.
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Strengthens trust between families, carers, and professionals.
For the Wider System
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Advances the UK’s financial inclusion goals.
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Demonstrates a scalable, secure model for safeguarding and empowerment.
The Future of Inclusive Finance
For those managing finances on behalf of others, biometric cards and tokenised wearables mark a transformative step forward. They replace outdated, memory-based security with technology that’s secure, traceable, and person-centred.
Money Carer’s leadership and Beyond the PIN white paper provide a proven roadmap for modernising financial support — one that balances independence with protection, and innovation with inclusion.
