A method for authenticating a user transaction based upon scanned wireless signals is disclosed and includes receiving a wireless fingerprint from a mobile unit associated with a transaction by a user at a location, determining if the received wireless fingerprint matches a stored wireless fingerprint associated with the location, and authorizing the transaction if the received wireless fingerprint matches the stored wireless fingerprint associated with the location. If the location is not known or known as a “bad” location, additional information to authenticate the user or transaction can be requested from the user via a phone call, push notification within an application or a text message.