Brother can you spare... a card? Technology is transforming panhandling for “Honest Abe,” the Detroit, Michigan man who may well be the only homeless person in the US to take cash, credit or debit using a card reader on his phone.

Abe Hagenston hasn’t had a steady place to live for seven years, and currently resides under an 8 Mile overpass in Detroit.

"Honest Abe" Hagensten may be "only homeless guy taking credit and debit cards" w/a cell phone "cube." More @WWJ950. pic.twitter.com/K0zxb7M8Fp — Mike Campbell (@reportermikec) January 28, 2016

When he needed a new pair of eyeglasses, Hagenston looked forward to shoveling snow to help foot the bill. Unfortunately for him, Detroit has had a relatively mild winter.

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However, Hagenston is a web designer who occasionally works the odd digital job as well, putting him in a uniquely tech-savvy position compared to your typical homeless person.

He decided to organize a “union” of homeless people, scheduling times and places for individuals to panhandle to avoid stepping on each other's toes. Perhaps more remarkably, he also came up with a way to digitally receive charity from passersby, using a smartphone attachment that reads credit cards.

“I take VISA, MasterCard, American Express,” Hagenston told Detroit’s WWJ-AM radio. “I’m the only homeless guy in America who can take a credit card. It’s all done safely and securely through square.com.”

Hagenston has a free smartphone through the government's Lifeline Assistance program (also known as the "Obamaphone"), and uses the free Wi-Fi from a nearby McDonald's, according to WWJ reporter Mike Campbell.

Square card readers only cost about $10 each, and charge a 2.75 percent vendor fee every time they’re used. The company behind the device was founded by Jack Dorsey, who is also the founder and CEO of Twitter.

By rough estimates following a count last year, Detroit had 2,700 people living on the streets.