Posted on 03/04/2003 9:11:52 AM PST by Texican72
A police program aimed at convincing Longview merchants to fingerprint check-writing customers got off to a slow start Monday, but officials hope for a more enthusiastic response today.
Police want all Longview merchants to join the Thumbprint Signature developed by the Texas Bankers Association to cut down on check fraud and forgery. Participating businesses collect a thumbprint from check writers directly on the check.
The print will be a crucial piece of evidence if the check turns out to be bad, police say.
Only about a dozen people, representing about eight businesses, attended the 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. come-and-go session at Maude Cobb Convention and Activity Center, Sgt. Shaun Pendleton said.
"Everybody who has been here has been really positive about it," he said.
The Longview Mall has expressed an interest and so has Regions Bank, the sergeant said.
But Pendleton is hoping for a larger turnout with the second program from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. today at Maude Cobb.
Police officers will show business owners how to use the inkless fingerprint pads and provide more information about the program that creators say will cut down on forged and hot checks.
Police zalso have a short video available about the program, and participants will get free samples of the thumbprint pads.
More businesses are embracing the program and others like it. Kroger supermarket now thumbprints customers who cash payroll and personal checks at the store's service counter, a company spokeswoman said.
John Lynch can be contacted at jlynch@coxnews.com.
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