Crypto not being used where needed

At CES someone was showing a cellular credit card machine. It had an antenna and a regular card reader, and was battery powered, so it could be used anywhere. The machine was designed to be used in taxicabs, at swapmeets, and wherever there were no phone lines available. I asked the rep about its security - does it use encryption? No, it does not use encryption. It sends your credit card number and expiration date over the cellular link in clear. Most credit card machines use low-speed modems which are trivial to intercept. This one is probably no exception. Here is a case where DES is badly needed and not being used. If this machine becomes popular, thieves will be trailing taxicabs with scanners and tape recorders.