Identity Fraud: Thumbprint Security

infinitybeckon · 19 February 2007 at 6:09PM

Identity fraud can be costly: so I'm sharing a recent discovery with people I think will be interested in saving themselves the expense of having to deal with it; and who may also help shed light on what the potential drawbacks are.

I recently read an article on the BBC [1] stating that a chap had

contacted the UK's main credit reference agencies - Equifax, Experian and Call Credit - and asked them to put a Notice of Correction on his file [stating] that any signature he makes on a financial document will be authenticated by his thumbprint.

I also followed this idea and swiftly sent three letters to the same companies with the following text taken out of a The Sun newspaper article on the same chap.

I <FULL NAME> of <ADDRESS> declare that when my signature is required for any financial product or service I will authenticate it with my thumbprint. Failure by me to comply with this direction will result in the service or product being withheld.
Any application without a thumbprint should be considered fraudulent. I will inform you in writing signed and thumbprinted, of any changes to this Notice of Correction.

In addition I provided all past addresses, DOB thumbprint and signature.

To myself, the main attraction of requiring my fingerprints for any financial contract was that any would-be identity thief would have to give a copy of their fingerprints too! (not the most popular thing for a criminal to do!), In additon it also protects me against any liability since if a service is granted without a thumbprint its their fault and if there is one it wont be mine. [1]

I hope this generates some interest.

HAPPY DISCUSSING

infintybeckon

James · 20 February 2007 at 11:59AM

Equifax have backed the Thumbprint System but advise that you should get hold of your credit file (£2) from them first.

The reason for this I suppose is to check your Credit File is clean and you don't have to put an additional Notice of Correction statement on your file. You're only allowed 200 words.

I think every single person in the UK, whether they subscribe to Thumbprinting or not are benefiting. Why?

Because it forces ALL lenders, credit facilitator etc to Check Everyones File.

There are many other benefits too.

Your instruction follows your Credit File and unlike other systems not your address.

Your nearest and dearest is equally protected after your death. Crooks do pinch the ID of the deceased.

Quite honestly why would anyone using the Thumbprint System need an ID Card?

First timers applying for a passport after 6 April, will be intereviewed, asked things like, who is your current mortgage with. (The ID and Passport Service will be using the Credit Ref Agencies Databases it would seem). Lets hope they take notice of the Thumbprint System. It would certainly deter anyone who has all the answers applying for a passport in someone elses name.

Lorian · 20 February 2007 at 12:31PM

Shame about this though:

equifax wrote:

You do not need to provide a copy of your thumb print to Equifax.

Please be aware that while potential lenders will be shown your Notice of Correction, it is the responsibility of the credit lenders and not Equifax, to act upon it.

How is anyone going to know its YOUR thumbprint?

Maybe a notice of correction could be added that says you want financial institutes to ring you before agreeing to any new account or service, on a phone number stored in the correction notice.

Lorian · 20 February 2007 at 12:41PM

Actually the answer is there, but the agencies are the ones who need to move to a better place.

Equifax offer a service about £7 a month that notifies you by email when a check is made on your record. It will alert you within 24 hours, so it says.

Equifax should make the service FREE or at least cheap.

C_Ronaldo · 20 February 2007 at 1:09PM

surely the focus should be on how do the criminals get hold of our details, if people shredded their documents

James · 20 February 2007 at 1:25PM

Al_Mac wrote:

So you put a thumb print on a document. Who checks it is valid, who even checks it? When you are credit checked the CRA don't see the forms, so how would they know that you have put a thumb print on it.So many questions without answers. Again!

Nobody checks to see if it's valid or not. The only responsibility that a lender has is to check that there is a print on an application.

The CRAs don't see the forms, but ALL lenders see your Notice of Correction and it is they, not the CRAs who act upon this.

We have the deterrent effect. (Same theory different applications)

Fraud reduced by 82%

Not 1 single fraudulent Transaction in 5 years. (Thumbprint request angers crook).

Hiring a car backed by a passport, license, chip & PIN card - reassurance.

Catching the Bad Guys.

Suspect leaves print - Identififed, caught and prosecuted.

£1,500 Cheque Fraud -
The woman had form, was quickly identified, arrested and found guilty in court.

Personal Protection.

None of the victims in the above card and cheques scenarios were ever accused of first party fraud.

Don't take your eye off the ball when it comes to getting hold of your details. Unfortunately there are so many different ways of getting hold of personal information, passwords, Pins etc. Including corrupt insiders, loss of laptops, bin diving, key loggers etc etc.

I suggest that it is much simpler to render personal information worthless.

Identity Fraud: Thumbprint Security

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