VERIFICATION SYSTEM

A system for ascertaining if the user of a card, such as an identification or credit card, is the owner or is otherwise in rightful possession. The system includes a card bearing an encoded multi-digit number which is correlated in a non-mathematical fashion to another and different multi-digit number memorized and known only by the card owner, this latter number being provided the owner at the time the card is issued to him. Also included in this system is an algorithm circuit for transforming the card number to a transformed number, and a comparator for comparing the transformed number with the memorized number. The card number is entered into the system via a reader, while the memorized number is introduced via a keyboard or the like. The number transformation means includes a truth table or storage means containing a plurality of addressable locations containing random digits which bear no mathematical relatiohship to their addresses. The truth table is addressed to access random digits as many times as there are digits in the memorized number. The random digits from the truth table form the transformed number which is compared on a digit-by-digit basis with the digits of the memorized number. Only if a favorable comparison results, is the holder deemed the rightful possessor of the card.