Chip & Print?

zincoxide

Had an idea last night that Chip & Signature isn't entirely foolproof, neither is chip & pin or of course signature only.

In fact, none of them are fool proof and fraudsters will always find a way around them.

But what about Chip & Print?
You give a fingerprint via a biometric finger print reader (must be warm & have pulse!) to authorise the use of your card. This would help to protect the ordinary every day user and the banks would need to suffer their own fraud committed through ID theft!

But, I can hear it now, calls of 'Big Brother' and quotes every human rights activist that this shouldn't be done, but what do you think?

King_Of_Fools

It is not that silly an idea. The finger print does not need to be stored on a central database, just the card chip (a PIN or signature can still be used for non chip & print transactions).

The only downsides are the cost of installing finger print readers at every PoS whould be huge and the logistics of getting the finger print data onto the card in the first place would be a security nightmare!

zincoxide

You're exactly right!!

However, the costs involved would actually be less than Chip & Pin due to how cheap these devices are becoming.

Putting an algorithm for the fingerprint on the chip of the card shouldn't be too hard, a facility that banks should provide for free, i.e. you go to the bank with your passport (or national identity card if that ever happens) and simply give a print for each finger.

That is an extra layer of security, as the POS could choose what finger it wants the print from, so the same finger isn't used each time!

James

Already using this type of system to protect myself from ID theft, and to force any crook who wishes to use my personal information or plastic (for face to face transactions) into submitting THEIR print. No more disputed transactions and a wonderful deterrent.

See Identity Theft - Self Help

James

Avis and other Car Rental companies who are provided with driving licences, passports, Chip & PIn cards are using thumb printing to reduce rental fraud.

http://www.easier.com/view/News/Motoring/article-63511.html

You too can use the very same system to protect yourself from ID theft.

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