Can You Hear This?

If you’ve visited my other websites, you know that I have one on credit issues. It is ProtectYourGoodCredit.com and I try to provide consumers with easily understood, comprehensive information on credit and protection against identity theft.

The most recent technological answer to identity theft protection is the use of biometric scanners. These are devices that resemble the swipe machines at registers everywhere. Only instead of swiping your debit/credit card, you press your thumb against a touchpad.

This touchpad then identifies you by your thumbprint and your purchase is deducted from your checking account like a debit.

Sounds great right! My thumb is always attached to my hand. I never go anywhere without it. I don’t have to worry that I’ve left it in my coat pocket, other pair of jeans or a different purse. I can shop all day and probably not build up a callous from the touchpad (they’re very user friendly, a light touch is all that’s required).

Okay, so what’s the catch?

Since I’m a bit of a movie buff and I love science fiction, I have a little bit of knowledge about advanced technology from a consumer’s perspective. Here’s the deal…………………

Way back in in early seventies, James Bond, played by Sean Connery, with the succinct assistance of Q, managed to fool the the affable Tiffiany Case, by having a copy of the bad guy’s finger print affixed to his own by means of a thin layer of polymer. (movie: Diamonds are Forever)

Later, in the late 90s, an interesting movie with lots of cool technology effects, the same Bond-type character, guised as an elusive thief, played by the same exceptional Sean Connery, managed to “fake and un-fakeable retina scan” planned and orchestrated by the beautiful Catherine Zeta-Jones. (movie: Entrapment)

The point of this stroll down movie lane? If the creators and characters in these movies where able to devise means to effectively “steal” the identities of another person, do I really want to put great faith in the idea that because I have a unique anatonomical imprint that I will somehow be impervious to identity theft. I DON’T THINK SO!

Do I think there is merit to improved technology, even biometric technology, for protection against identity theft…………you betcha! Do I think that if these technological advances are instituted everywhere we are suddenly safe……………..absolutely not!

The point, folks, as the movies have demonstrated over and over again, if you can think up a new and improved way to foil identity thieves, someone else can come up with a way around it. That will never change.

The good news…………..it’s pretty much guaranteed no one can steal your thumb without your noticing…………your print, maybe, but, not your thumb! But, keep a close eye on it…………for safety’s sake!