Biometric Authentication using Proximity and Secure Information on a User Device

A system and method provides biometric authentication using proximity and secure information on a Personal Digital Key (PDK). The PDK stores a biometric profile of a legitimate user in a secured memory. The PDK acquires biometric input from a user using a biometric reader of the PDK responsive to receiving a request for a biometric authentication of the legitimate user. The PDK compares the biometric input to the biometric profile to determine whether the biometric input matches the biometric profile. A secure wireless communication link is established between the PDK and a reader device if the biometric input matches the biometric profile and the PDK device is within proximity of the reader device to send an identification code uniquely identifying the PDK device over to the reader device. The reader device sends information including the identification code to a trusted third-party system for authentication.