PROTECT YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION/IDENTITY THEFT PREVENTION

Banks have begun to make use of biometric technologies to protect their patrons against identity theft.

• Bank United was one of the first banks to use biometrics. For more information, go to http://www.bankrate.com/brm/news/bank/20020723a.asp.
• Orange County's Credit Union (OCCU) in Orange County, California requires a thumbprint and signature scan for all new accounts and also offers this security option to customers with existing accounts. This enables customers to open accounts without the assistance of any personnel.

However, due to the fact that Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) are so established worldwide, it would be very expensive to replace the standard four-digit Personal Identification Number (PIN) with a biometric technology because of the need to develop and implement the necessary infrastructure to support it. An easier and cheaper solution would be to replace the current magnetic strip ATM debit cards with smart cards that can hold more information. These types of cards could be used in Microsoft Windows-based ATMs. For more information, go to http://atmmarketplace.com/news_story_22036.htm.

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