<PAGE>

As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 28, 1997 
                                                    Registration No. 333-
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549

                             ---------------------

                                    FORM S-8
                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                      UNDER
                           THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

                             ---------------------

                                  VERIFONE, INC
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
                                                       
             Delaware                           99-0206064
     (State of Incorporation)      (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

                             ---------------------

                          THREE LAGOON DRIVE, SUITE 400
                         REDWOOD CITY, CALIFORNIA 94065
                                 (415) 591-6500
          (Address and telephone number of principal executive offices)

                             ---------------------

                       1997 RESTRICTED PHANTOM STOCK PLAN
                                                                               
                            (Full title of the plans)

                                 HATIM A. TYABJI
          CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD, PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
                                 VERIFONE, INC.
                          THREE LAGOON DRIVE, SUITE 400
                         REDWOOD CITY, CALIFORNIA 94065
 (Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code,
                             of agent for service)

                              --------------------
                                   Copies to:
         WILLIAM G. BARMEIER, ESQ.               MICHAEL R. JACOBSON, ESQ.
          SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT,                    COOLEY GODWARD LLP
      GENERAL COUNSEL AND SECRETARY                 3000 EL CAMINO REAL
             VERIFONE, INC.                     PALO ALTO, CALIFORNIA 94306
      THREE LAGOON DRIVE, SUITE 400                    (415) 843-5000
      REDWOOD CITY, CALIFORNIA 94065                 FAX (415) 857-0663
            (415) 591-6500
          FAX (415) 598-4516


                              --------------------
<PAGE>

                         CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------


-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  PROPOSED         PROPOSED 
    TITLE OF                       MAXIMUM          MAXIMUM 
 SECURITIES TO   AMOUNT TO BE  OFFERING PRICE      AGGREGATE       AMOUNT OF 
 BE REGISTERED    REGISTERED    PER SHARE (1)   OFFERING PRICE    REGISTRATION 
                                                      (1)             FEE 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 Restricted             
 Stock Grants 
 and Common 
 Stock (par            12,500       $34.32          $429,000        $130.00 
 value $0.01) 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------


-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1)  Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the amount of the
     registration fee pursuant to Rule 457(h)(1).  The price per share and
     aggregate offering price are based upon the average of the high and low
     prices of Registrant's Common Stock on March 25, 1997 as reported on the
     New York Stock Exchange.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>

            ITEM 3.  INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE

     The following documents filed by VeriFone, Inc. (the "Company") with the
Securities and Exchange Commission are incorporated by reference into this
Registration Statement:  

     (a)  The Company's latest annual report on Form 10-K filed pursuant to
Sections 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the
"Exchange Act"), or either (1) the Company's latest prospectus filed pursuant to
Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act"), that
contains audited financial statements for the Company's latest fiscal year for
which such statements have been filed, or (2) the Company's effective
registration statement on Form 10 or 20-F filed under the Exchange Act
containing audited financial statements for the Company's latest fiscal year.

     (b)  All other reports filed pursuant to Sections 13(a) or 15(d) of the
Exchange Act since the end of the fiscal year covered by the annual reports, the
prospectus or the registration statement referred to in (a) above.  

     (c)  The description of the Company's Common Stock which is contained in a
registration statement filed under the Exchange Act, including any amendment or
report filed for the purpose of updating such description.  

     All reports and other documents subsequently filed by the Company pursuant
to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act prior to the filing
of a post-effective amendment which indicates that all securities offered have
been sold or which deregisters all securities then remaining unsold, shall be
deemed to be incorporated by reference herein and to be a part of this
registration statement from the date of the filing of such reports and
documents.  


                       ITEM 4.  DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES

     Not applicable.

                 ITEM 5.  INTERESTS OF NAMED EXPERTS AND COUNSEL

     Not applicable.

               ITEM 6.  INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS

     Under Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, VeriFone has
broad powers to indemnify its directors and officers against liabilities they
may incur in such capacities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of
1933, as amended (the "Securities Act").  VeriFone's Bylaws provide that
VeriFone will indemnify its directors and may indemnify its officers to the
fullest extent permitted by law.  Under its Bylaws, indemnified parties are
entitled to indemnification for negligence, gross negligence and otherwise to
the fullest extent permitted by law.  The Bylaws also permit VeriFone to advance
litigation expenses in the case of stockholder derivative actions or other
actions, against an undertaking by the indemnified party to repay such advances
if it is ultimately determined that the indemnified party is not entitled to
indemnification.

     In addition, VeriFone's Restated Certificate of Incorporation provides
that, pursuant to Delaware law, its directors shall not be liable for monetary
damages for breach of the directors' fiduciary duty of care to VeriFone and its
stockholders.  This provision in the Certificate of Incorporation does not
eliminate the duty of care, and in appropriate circumstances equitable remedies,
such as injunctive or other forms of non-monetary relief, will remain available
under Delaware law. In addition, each director will continue to be subject to
liability for breach of the director's duty of loyalty to VeriFone, for acts or
omissions not in good faith or involving intentional misconduct, for knowing
violation of law, for actions leading to improper personal benefit to the
director, and for payment of dividends or approval of stock repurchases or
redemptions that are unlawful under Delaware law.  The provision also does not
affect a director's responsibilities under any other law, such as the federal
securities laws or state or federal environmental laws.

                                       1.
<PAGE>

     VeriFone has entered into indemnity agreements with each of its directors
and executive officers.  Such indemnity agreements contain provisions which are
in some respects broader than the specific indemnification provisions contained
in Delaware law.

     VeriFone maintains a policy providing directors and officers liability
insurance which insures directors and officers of VeriFone in certain
circumstances.

                  ITEM 7.  EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION CLAIMED

     Not applicable.







                                       2.
<PAGE>


                                ITEM 8.  EXHIBITS


EXHIBIT
NUMBER

5.1       Opinion of Cooley Godward LLP

23.1      Consent of Ernst & Young LLP, Independent Auditors

23.2      Consent of Cooley Godward LLP is contained in Exhibit 5.1 to this
          Registration Statement

24.1      Power of Attorney is contained on the signature pages.

99.1      1997 Restricted Phantom Stock Plan



                              ITEM 9.  UNDERTAKINGS

     1.   The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:

          (a)  To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being
made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:

            (i)     To include any prospectus required by section 10(a)(3) of
the Securities Act;

           (ii)     To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising
after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-
effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent
a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities
offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that
which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the
estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus
filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) (Section 230.424(b) of this
chapter) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more
than a 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the
"Calculation of Registration Fee" table in the effective registration statement.

          (iii)     To include any material information with respect to the plan
of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any
material change to such information in the registration statement;

     PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that paragraphs (a)(i) and (a)(ii) do not apply if the
information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those
paragraphs is contained in periodic reports filed by the issuer pursuant to
section 13 or section 15(d) of the Exchange Act that are incorporated by
reference herein.

          (b)  That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the
Securities Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new
registration statement relating to the securities offered herein, and the
offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona
fide offering thereof.

          (c)  To remove from registration by means of a post-effective
amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the
termination of the offering.

     2.   The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of
determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the
registrant's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the
Exchange Act (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan's
annual report pursuant to section 15(d) of the Exchange Act) that is
incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement shall be deemed to be a
new registration

                                       3.
<PAGE>

statement relating to the securities offered herein, and the offering of such 
securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering 
thereof.

     3.   Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the
Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons
of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the
registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange
Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the
Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable.  In the event that a claim for
indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the
registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling
person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or
proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in
connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in
the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent,
submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such
indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities
Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.




                                       4.
<PAGE>

                                   SIGNATURES

     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the
Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all
of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this Registration
Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
authorized, in the City of Redwood City, State of California, on March 28,
1997.


                                   VERIFONE, INC.



                                   By:  /s/ Joseph M. Zaelit
                                        ------------------------------------
                                        Joseph M. Zaelit
                                        Senior Vice President, Finance and
                                        Administration and 
                                        Chief Financial Officer





                                POWER OF ATTORNEY


     KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature
appears below constitutes and appoints Hatim A. Tyabji and Joseph M. Zaelit, and
each or any one of them, his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, with
full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him and in his name, place
and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including
post-effective amendments) to this Registration Statement, and to file the same,
with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and
agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and
every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in connection therewith,
as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby
ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of
them, or their or his substitutes or substitute, may lawfully do or cause to be
done by virtue hereof.

<PAGE>

     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the
capacities and on the dates indicated. 



SIGNATURE                         TITLE                           DATE



     /s/ Hatim A. Tyabji          Director, Chairman of the       March 15, 1997
-------------------------------   Board, President and          
     Hatim A. Tyabji              Chief Executive Officer       
                                  (principal executive officer) 



     /s/ Joseph M. Zaelit         Senior Vice President,          March 15, 1997
-------------------------------   Finance and Administration,   
     Joseph M. Zaelit             and Chief Financial Officer   
                                  (principal financial officer) 



     /s/ Eldon M. Bullington      Vice President and              March 15, 1997
-------------------------------   Corporate Controller          
     Eldon M. Bullington          (principal accounting officer)



     /s/ H. H. Haight IV          Director                        March 15, 1997
-------------------------------
     H. H. Haight IV



     /s/ J. Robert Harcharik      Director                        March 15, 1997
-------------------------------
     J. Robert Harcharik



     /s/ Thomas E. Peterson       Director                        March 15, 1997
-------------------------------
     Thomas E. Peterson



     /s/ John R. C. Porter        Director                        March 15, 1997
-------------------------------
     John R. C. Porter 

<PAGE>

SIGNATURE                         TITLE                           DATE
 
 
 
-------------------------------   Director                        March __, 1997
     Clinton V. Silver 
 
 
 
     /s/ A. Michael  Spence       Director                        March 15, 1997
                   
-------------------------------
     A. Michael Spence 
 
 
 
     /s/ R. Elton White           Director                        March 15, 1997
-------------------------------   
     R. Elton White 

<PAGE>

                                  EXHIBIT INDEX


EXHIBIT                     DESCRIPTION 
NUMBER 
 
 5.1      Opinion of Cooley Godward LLP 

23.1      Consent of Ernst & Young LLP, Independent Auditors 
 
23.2      Consent of Cooley Godward LLP is contained in Exhibit 5.1 to this 
          Registration Statement 
 
24.1      Power of Attorney is contained on the signature pages.

99.1      1997 Restricted Phantom Stock Plan
[{"type": "S-8", "sequence": "1", "description": "FORM S-8", "secsgml_size_bytes": 17969}]
{"company-data": {"conformed-name": "VERIFONE INC", "cik": "0000820580", "assigned-sic": "3578", "irs-number": "990206064", "state-of-incorporation": "DE", "fiscal-year-end": "1231"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "S-8", "act": "33", "file-number": "333-24161", "film-number": "97567460"}, "business-address": {"street1": "THREE LAGOON DR STE 400", "city": "REDWOOD CITY", "state": "CA", "zip": "94065", "phone": "4155916500"}, "mail-address": {"street1": "THREE LAGOON DRIVE STE 400", "city": "REDWOOD CITY", "state": "CA", "zip": "94065"}}
As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 28, 1997 
                                                    Registration No. 333-
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549

                             ---------------------

                                    FORM S-8
                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                      UNDER
                           THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

                             ---------------------

                                  VERIFONE, INC
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
                                                       
             Delaware                           99-0206064
     (State of Incorporation)      (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

                             ---------------------

                          THREE LAGOON DRIVE, SUITE 400
                         REDWOOD CITY, CALIFORNIA 94065
                                 (415) 591-6500
          (Address and telephone number of principal executive offices)

                             ---------------------

                       1997 RESTRICTED PHANTOM STOCK PLAN
                                                                               
                            (Full title of the plans)

                                 HATIM A. TYABJI
          CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD, PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
                                 VERIFONE, INC.
                          THREE LAGOON DRIVE, SUITE 400
                         REDWOOD CITY, CALIFORNIA 94065
 (Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code,
                             of agent for service)

                              --------------------
                                   Copies to:
         WILLIAM G. BARMEIER, ESQ.               MICHAEL R. JACOBSON, ESQ.
          SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT,                    COOLEY GODWARD LLP
      GENERAL COUNSEL AND SECRETARY                 3000 EL CAMINO REAL
             VERIFONE, INC.                     PALO ALTO, CALIFORNIA 94306
      THREE LAGOON DRIVE, SUITE 400                    (415) 843-5000
      REDWOOD CITY, CALIFORNIA 94065                 FAX (415) 857-0663
            (415) 591-6500
          FAX (415) 598-4516

                              --------------------
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  PROPOSED         PROPOSED 
    TITLE OF                       MAXIMUM          MAXIMUM 
 SECURITIES TO   AMOUNT TO BE  OFFERING PRICE      AGGREGATE       AMOUNT OF 
 BE REGISTERED    REGISTERED    PER SHARE (1)   OFFERING PRICE    REGISTRATION 
                                                      (1)             FEE 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 Restricted             
 Stock Grants 
 and Common 
 Stock (par            12,500       $34.32          $429,000        $130.00 
 value $0.01) 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1)  Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the amount of the
     registration fee pursuant to Rule 457(h)(1).  The price per share and
     aggregate offering price are based upon the average of the high and low
     prices of Registrant's Common Stock on March 25, 1997 as reported on the
     New York Stock Exchange.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ITEM 3.  INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE

     The following documents filed by VeriFone, Inc. (the "Company") with the
Securities and Exchange Commission are incorporated by reference into this
Registration Statement:  

     (a)  The Company's latest annual report on Form 10-K filed pursuant to
Sections 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the
"Exchange Act"), or either (1) the Company's latest prospectus filed pursuant to
Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act"), that
contains audited financial statements for the Company's latest fiscal year for
which such statements have been filed, or (2) the Company's effective
registration statement on Form 10 or 20-F filed under the Exchange Act
containing audited financial statements for the Company's latest fiscal year.

     (b)  All other reports filed pursuant to Sections 13(a) or 15(d) of the
Exchange Act since the end of the fiscal year covered by the annual reports, the
prospectus or the registration statement referred to in (a) above.  

     (c)  The description of the Company's Common Stock which is contained in a
registration statement filed under the Exchange Act, including any amendment or
report filed for the purpose of updating such description.  

     All reports and other documents subsequently filed by the Company pursuant
to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act prior to the filing
of a post-effective amendment which indicates that all securities offered have
been sold or which deregisters all securities then remaining unsold, shall be
deemed to be incorporated by reference herein and to be a part of this
registration statement from the date of the filing of such reports and
documents.  

                       ITEM 4.  DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES

     Not applicable.

                 ITEM 5.  INTERESTS OF NAMED EXPERTS AND COUNSEL

     Not applicable.

               ITEM 6.  INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS

     Under Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, VeriFone has
broad powers to indemnify its directors and officers against liabilities they
may incur in such capacities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of
1933, as amended (the "Securities Act").  VeriFone's Bylaws provide that
VeriFone will indemnify its directors and may indemnify its officers to the
fullest extent permitted by law.  Under its Bylaws, indemnified parties are
entitled to indemnification for negligence, gross negligence and otherwise to
the fullest extent permitted by law.  The Bylaws also permit VeriFone to advance
litigation expenses in the case of stockholder derivative actions or other
actions, against an undertaking by the indemnified party to repay such advances
if it is ultimately determined that the indemnified party is not entitled to
indemnification.

     In addition, VeriFone's Restated Certificate of Incorporation provides
that, pursuant to Delaware law, its directors shall not be liable for monetary
damages for breach of the directors' fiduciary duty of care to VeriFone and its
stockholders.  This provision in the Certificate of Incorporation does not
eliminate the duty of care, and in appropriate circumstances equitable remedies,
such as injunctive or other forms of non-monetary relief, will remain available
under Delaware law. In addition, each director will continue to be subject to
liability for breach of the director's duty of loyalty to VeriFone, for acts or
omissions not in good faith or involving intentional misconduct, for knowing
violation of law, for actions leading to improper personal benefit to the
director, and for payment of dividends or approval of stock repurchases or
redemptions that are unlawful under Delaware law.  The provision also does not
affect a director's responsibilities under any other law, such as the federal
securities laws or state or federal environmental laws.

                                       1.
VeriFone has entered into indemnity agreements with each of its directors
and executive officers.  Such indemnity agreements contain provisions which are
in some respects broader than the specific indemnification provisions contained
in Delaware law.

     VeriFone maintains a policy providing directors and officers liability
insurance which insures directors and officers of VeriFone in certain
circumstances.

                  ITEM 7.  EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION CLAIMED

     Not applicable.

                                       2.
ITEM 8.  EXHIBITS

EXHIBIT
NUMBER

5.1       Opinion of Cooley Godward LLP

23.1      Consent of Ernst & Young LLP, Independent Auditors

23.2      Consent of Cooley Godward LLP is contained in Exhibit 5.1 to this
          Registration Statement

24.1      Power of Attorney is contained on the signature pages.

99.1      1997 Restricted Phantom Stock Plan

                              ITEM 9.  UNDERTAKINGS

     1.   The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:

          (a)  To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being
made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:

            (i)     To include any prospectus required by section 10(a)(3) of
the Securities Act;

           (ii)     To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising
after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-
effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent
a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities
offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that
which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the
estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus
filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) (Section 230.424(b) of this
chapter) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more
than a 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the
"Calculation of Registration Fee" table in the effective registration statement.

          (iii)     To include any material information with respect to the plan
of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any
material change to such information in the registration statement;

     PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that paragraphs (a)(i) and (a)(ii) do not apply if the
information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those
paragraphs is contained in periodic reports filed by the issuer pursuant to
section 13 or section 15(d) of the Exchange Act that are incorporated by
reference herein.

          (b)  That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the
Securities Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new
registration statement relating to the securities offered herein, and the
offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona
fide offering thereof.

          (c)  To remove from registration by means of a post-effective
amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the
termination of the offering.

     2.   The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of
determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the
registrant's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the
Exchange Act (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan's
annual report pursuant to section 15(d) of the Exchange Act) that is
incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement shall be deemed to be a
new registration

                                       3.
statement relating to the securities offered herein, and the offering of such 
securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering 
thereof.

     3.   Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the
Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons
of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the
registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange
Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the
Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable.  In the event that a claim for
indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the
registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling
person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or
proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in
connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in
the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent,
submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such
indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities
Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

                                       4.
SIGNATURES

     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the
Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all
of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this Registration
Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
authorized, in the City of Redwood City, State of California, on March 28,
1997.

                                   VERIFONE, INC.

                                   By:  /s/ Joseph M. Zaelit
                                        ------------------------------------
                                        Joseph M. Zaelit
                                        Senior Vice President, Finance and
                                        Administration and 
                                        Chief Financial Officer

                                POWER OF ATTORNEY

     KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature
appears below constitutes and appoints Hatim A. Tyabji and Joseph M. Zaelit, and
each or any one of them, his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, with
full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him and in his name, place
and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including
post-effective amendments) to this Registration Statement, and to file the same,
with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and
agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and
every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in connection therewith,
as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby
ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of
them, or their or his substitutes or substitute, may lawfully do or cause to be
done by virtue hereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the
capacities and on the dates indicated. 

SIGNATURE                         TITLE                           DATE

     /s/ Hatim A. Tyabji          Director, Chairman of the       March 15, 1997
-------------------------------   Board, President and          
     Hatim A. Tyabji              Chief Executive Officer       
                                  (principal executive officer) 

     /s/ Joseph M. Zaelit         Senior Vice President,          March 15, 1997
-------------------------------   Finance and Administration,   
     Joseph M. Zaelit             and Chief Financial Officer   
                                  (principal financial officer) 

     /s/ Eldon M. Bullington      Vice President and              March 15, 1997
-------------------------------   Corporate Controller          
     Eldon M. Bullington          (principal accounting officer)

     /s/ H. H. Haight IV          Director                        March 15, 1997
-------------------------------
     H. H. Haight IV

     /s/ J. Robert Harcharik      Director                        March 15, 1997
-------------------------------
     J. Robert Harcharik

     /s/ Thomas E. Peterson       Director                        March 15, 1997
-------------------------------
     Thomas E. Peterson

     /s/ John R. C. Porter        Director                        March 15, 1997
-------------------------------
     John R. C. Porter
SIGNATURE                         TITLE                           DATE
 
 
 
-------------------------------   Director                        March __, 1997
     Clinton V. Silver 
 
 
 
     /s/ A. Michael  Spence       Director                        March 15, 1997
                   
-------------------------------
     A. Michael Spence 
 
 
 
     /s/ R. Elton White           Director                        March 15, 1997
-------------------------------   
     R. Elton White
EXHIBIT INDEX

EXHIBIT                     DESCRIPTION 
NUMBER 
 
 5.1      Opinion of Cooley Godward LLP 

23.1      Consent of Ernst & Young LLP, Independent Auditors 
 
23.2      Consent of Cooley Godward LLP is contained in Exhibit 5.1 to this 
          Registration Statement 
 
24.1      Power of Attorney is contained on the signature pages.

99.1      1997 Restricted Phantom Stock Plan