Jacksonville's First Union Will Test Thumbprint Program to Reduce Check Fraud.(Originated from , The Florida Times-Union, Jacksonville)

Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News, May, 1996 by Barker-Benfield, Simon

Jacksonville--May 21--Check forgers may leave behind a calling card when cashing a check at Jacksonville-based First Union National Bank of Florida and SunTrust Bank of Miami.

The Florida Bankers Association and the banks are cooperating in a pilot program beginning next month to see if an inkless fingerprinting system will help reduce check fraud.

Check fraud is a $50 million to $100 million a year problem for banks in Florida, said the association's executive director, John Milstead.

Under a thumbprint signature system, people who do not have accounts and present checks for cashing will be asked to put their right thumb on a device that leaves no residue or ink stain on the skin.

The thumb then will be placed on the face of the check....

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