🚀 go-pugleaf

Jamie wrote:

> Just seems like a strange story.  Also very strange: the check was
> apparently received around July 6th, but cashed on August 16th.  Why did
> the recipient wait nearly 6 weeks to cash the check, especially
> considering their professed financial circumstances?  (It is possible
> the poster means the check was dated July 6, but to me the date on the
> check is much less important than the date it was received).
> 
> Jamie

Here is the original story from DeJa News:
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Subject:      Crestar Fingerprinting Assault
From:         Karon Bosze <boszek@doubled.com>
Date:         1997/08/22
Message-Id:   <33FDEE35.270C@doubled.com>
Newsgroups:   va.general
[More Headers]

Am I the only person indignant about being fingerprinted by Crestar
Bank?

I received a refund check from a local businessman written (6 July) on a
Crestar account.  I cashed the check at my own bank Central Fidelity
last weekend (16 August) and today received notification that the check
was returned for non-sufficient funds.  So I took the check to Crestar
and lo and behold -- the only way I could cash the check was to present
two ID's (ok, not such a big deal) _AND_ agree to give them my thumb
print.  Well, I've been living off savings since 29 April (on leave of
absence from my Federal job) and I need the $90 just as much as the
check-bouncing citizen probably does, so I went through the
fingerprinting process.  What humiliation!!!  (Hey, they don't even
provide a "handy wipe" to clean off the ink! (Tongue planted firmly in
cheek)).

I wrote Crestar today at their Web site and here's the reply I received:

Thank you for your recent Internet letter with your comments about our
new 
Positive Impression Program (Thumb printing).    Crestar is implementing 
this program in order to deter check cashing fraud and assist law 
enforcement in solving crimes once committed.  The American Bankers 
Association (ABA) has been tracking check fraud closely.  Surveys
conducted in 1991 and 1993 show that the number of check fraud cases
reported by the banking industry increased from 537,000 in 1991 to 1.3
million in 1993.  The dollar losses from these fraud cases increased
40%.  The ABA has reviewed a number of loss prevention ideas and is
recommending the implementation of thumbprinting.

The Positive Impression Program at Crestar is a quick, clean and simple 
process of obtaining the thumbprint of all non-Crestar deposit account 
holders (non-depositors) who wish to cash a check or other similar 
instrument.  

Thumbprinting does not replace any of the standard forms of
identification 
required for check cashing. Prior to obtaining the usual required 
identification, the Branch Associate will ask these customers to place
their thumbprint on the face of the check.  

The thumbprint will only be used if the check proves to be fraudulent
and 
will not be stored on a database. This will drastically reduce fraud for 
Crestar and the program is encouraged and endorsed
by the FBI and local law enforcement agencies.

This program is not an invasion of your privacy.  Thumbprinting will
only be required from non-depositors, and even then, it is voluntary. 
Customers may decline to submit their thumbprint in which case Crestar
will refuse to cash the check.

We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause you.  Unfortunately,  
because of the increase in fraud, Crestar has been forced to become 
proactive in fighting this illegal activity.

Thank you again,

NETbanker


(end of their reply)

I never once mentioned the privacy issue.  Interesting point though. 
What guarantee do I have that they are not going to store my thumbprint
somewhere...

In my reply to them, I wished them a great day and my best wishes that
they go bankrupt with this new program.  I also reminded them that the
FRAUD here was their account holder, not me, and that perhaps they
should fingerprint and prosecute him.

Sorry for ranting...but if anyone knows of any anti-Crestar publicity
campaigns, organized or otherwise, or class-action lawsuits, please let
me know.  I've finally found a cause to support. <sigh>

-- Karon

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<cimple3>