HANDS-FREE GESTURES FOR ACCOUNT AUTHENTICATION

Systems and methods are provided for authenticating an account via a hands-free gesture, such as a tap, pattern of taps, or other physical gesture not requiring a user to hold a computing device. A user can initiate a transaction to purchase an item by interacting with a first computing device (e.g., electronic kiosk, point-of-sale terminal, automated checkout device, etc.). The first computing device can receive a request from the user to purchase the item. In response, the first computing device can broadcast an authentication request. The user can perform the hands-free gesture for detection by a second computing device (e.g., the user's mobile device). The second computing device can transmit information associated with the hands-free gesture in response to the authentication request. The first computing device can authenticate the user based on the information associated with the hands-free gesture.