I enjoy the efficiency of the automated-checkout processes at the grocery store. It has been years since I've had to write a check at the register because a quick swipe of my credit card is all it takes to pay for my groceries. The cashier's ability to scan items quickly instead of typing in prices means my order is rung up as quickly as I can empty my cart. However, the checkout automation offers more than simple efficiency to shoppers and cashiers. In fact, the future of stores' automated procedures may actually work to protect consumers.

In my last column, I shared information about how to find out about current product recalls to prevent eating food products contaminated with strains of E. coli, salmonella or other bacteria. Currently, the responsibility falls on consumers to be aware of potential health threats and recognize if they have purchased recalled products.

When authorities recall products, grocery retailers work to inform consumers by taking the affected product off the shelf, posting in-store signs explaining the recall, and issuing press releases to encourage consumers to return the recalled product to stores for a full refund. In addition to taking these measures, Wal-Mart announced earlier this month that their POS systems (point of sale systems at the register) would automatically alert cashiers if they scanned any recalled peanut butter products. For consumers who are not aware of the recall and/or in cases where product is left on the shelf, the automated system adds an extra measure of safety for Wal-Mart customers. I am hopeful that more retailers will implement similar procedures with their automated systems to offer more protection to shoppers.

In some cases, however, automated systems can be a risk for shoppers. Although I cannot imagine how this could happen, Stop & Shop stores in New England recently experienced tampering of two of their EFT (Electronic Funds Transfer) units (otherwise known as pin pads). As a result of this tampering, account and pin numbers associated with some credit and debit cards used in these two checkout lanes in early February were stolen. In a press release posted on the Stop & Shop Web site, store officials explained, "Immediately following this discovery, Stop & Shop began working with local police departments and the U.S. Secret Service to determine the extent of the crime and to help apprehend those responsible. We also have contacted our credit and debit processors and business partners in order to identify and protect affected customer accounts."

During the investigation, Stop & Shop discovered that EFT units in four additional stores showed signs of tampering but they had no reports of fraudulent activity related to those units at the time the press release was written. Stop & Shop's press release reassured customers that the company had taken proactive action to ensure that tampering of their EFT units would not happen in the future. "In response to the discovery of this tampering, Stop & Shop has performed an inventory and inspection of EFT units in all of our stores. We also have taken immediate steps to ensure our EFT units are physically secure to prevent further tampering. We believe these steps will protect the security of our payment network and the privacy of our customers using credit and debit cards."

Next time I shop at my store I am going to check to see if their EFT unit is bolted down. If it isn't, I might ask my store manager if their store has considered taking this security measure. At the very least, I can hand the cashier my credit card to scan in his or her system directly, bypassing the EFT unit altogether.

Stephanie Nelson shares her savings tips as a regular contributor on ABC News' "Good Morning America." You can find more of her savings tips in her book "The Greatest Secrets of the Coupon Mom" and on her website at www.couponmom.com. She can be reached at shoppingmom@unitedmedia.com.