Fingerprints 'point' to anti-ID theft safeguard

Fingerprint Identification technologies Present:

Publisher: Keith Hall
Published: 08/03/2006 - 11:13:35 AM

Fingerprints - anti ID theft solution?

Identity fraud remains the fastest rising crime in the UK but fingerprints could point the way towards prevention.

The Co-Operative supermarket chain has today launched trials of a fingerprint scanning process designed to check a customers identity whilst they pay at the check-out till.

Three stores in Oxford are offering a 'Pay & Touch' system similar to a payment option that is already in use throughout the United States where almost 2.5 million customers rely on the process.

Each customers account database contains a fingerprint profile which is linked to their bank account details so users no longer need to carry cash or cards to their Co-Op store, nor are they required to remember their chip-and-pin numbers.

A Co-operative supermarket spokesman claims the free system will be of benefit to its customers.

"It offers us a slight edge over the competition.

"It's a very tough retail world and anything we can do to encourage more people to shop with us gives us a commercial benefit."

Co-Op customers can register for the service at home via the internet, or directly at the three Oxford stores concerned, and if the trials prove to be a success it is understood the ID method could be rolled out across the UK.

However, it appears unlikely that other retailers will follow the Co-op lead and install additional technology at their check-out tills because of cost implications.

It is also felt that many UK retail customers are still coming to terms with the introduction of chip-and-pin.

The use of fingerprints is not a new idea in the fight against identity theft. Indeed, Scotsman Jamie Jamieson has spent much of the last four years trying to convince financial institutions in this country that people can protect themselves from ID theft - without the extra expense of electronic scanners - as he carries an ink pad around in his pocket!

He claims customers can help protect themselves by literally taking the matter into their own hands.

Mr Jamieson was inspired by a 2001 anti-fraud scheme which ran in several towns across the country which was set up to protect shops from fraudulent use of credit and debit cards. Customers were asked to submit a fingerprint to authorise each transaction.

This fingerprint was kept by the shop in paper form for up to 6 months, and if a fraud was attempted the police had access to the offenders fingerprint as each transaction could be matched against their national database of known criminals fingerprints.

Mr Jamieson realised that people in the UK have the legal right to examine their financial records (for a small fee) and can challenge them if they feel they are incorrect - but crucially - customers can also amend their records with a 200-word special notice.

He decided to use this element of the record to specify that all major financial transactions carried out in his name can only be authenticated with a copy of his thumbprint. Therefore, anyone attempting to impersonate him would have to be prepared to do this to gain approval - effectively handing the police a valuable piece of evidence.

Mr Jamieson is convinced his system, unlike the Co-Operative initiative, will deter criminals because they are forced to use their print if they attempt to make fraudulent transactions, and his instructions have to be adhered to by the banks and financial companies he uses: "If someone has stolen my identity, basically I can hold that lender responsible. I can say ' is there a print on it?' If the answer is no, then that product should not have been granted. And if there is, I can say it is not mine."

He says for £6 he is protected against any liability and he insists any thumbprint which was present could be given to the police to help them track down the fraudster.

"The total cost of it to myself was three letters, three stamps and a little ink pad that I carry around with me permanently. I can think of nothing more effective, or as simple, or as cheap."

After hearing of the Co-Operative trials this morning, Mr Jamieson said his method remains a more useful anti-ID theft solution.

"I would say that my system forces crooks to use their print if they wish to steal my ID.

"The advantages of my system are:

* It protects individuals

* It deters

* It aids identification of perpetrators

* It works where electronic systems fail

* It's a system that doesn't say no to the genuine individual (Real rejection rates)

* It's easy to enrol into, and unlike a password or PIN based system it can't be compromised, stolen or lost."