A credential scanning application is a mobile or desktop application that enables users to scan plastic cards with embedded RFID chips and quickly view the card owner's credentials, such as their social security number. These applications typically have one screen for displaying the credentials of the scanned card and another screen for viewing additional details about the owner of that card (e.g., name, date of birth).

Credential scanning apps are similar to document scanning apps, receipt scanning apps, and expense tracking apps. Examples of credential scanning apps include CamCard, Jackpocket, and HelloSign.

• A Hospital Vendor credentials app. No real functionality other than tapping phones or scanning a code on the screen by the hospital.

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A credential scanning app grows rapidly by focusing on a specific niche and targeting it with a highly-targeted marketing campaign. These apps are often distributed for free, so the only way for the company to make money is through paid add-ons that provide new features and advanced capabilities. The key to acquiring new customers is to rank highly in app stores. Credential scanning apps rely on positive reviews and word-of-mouth referrals to acquire users, but they can also purchase advertising on social media sites like Facebook and Twitter.

A credential scanning app faces various logistical risks related to the storage and transmission of private user information, the authentication of credentials, and the prevention of unauthorized access. Credential scanning apps should leverage secure file storage APIs and implement logic for encrypting or digitally signing data with private keys. It is advisable that credential scanning apps employ multi-factor authentication techniques for accessing private user credentials such as biometrics and two-factor auth tokens.

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