On October 18, 2006, 26-year-old Houstonian Meghan Whitmore was happily going about her errands when she ran into a small snag. It seemed her debit card wasn't working. It got rejected from the doctor's office and at the grocery store. Nonplussed but not really worried, Meghan checked her bank account online. She was shocked to see that she had only seven dollars to her name. Someone had stolen all her money.



How did this happen? Someone had made four ATM withdrawals at four different ATMs across the city. Someone not only had her card information, they had her PIN number. Whitmore was terrified.

Your PIN number is supposed to be secure. Having a number known only to yourself is supposed to increase your security, but in this case, the concept of the PIN number actually complicated things for Whitmore.

When she called the bank to report the theft, they informed her that it was not their fault someone had stolen her PIN number. The bank's security system had worked, they said. To have the PIN is to mean you are authorized to use it, according to the bank. They would not refund her money.

Whitmore is now a vocal proponent of using biometric security to protect people's bank accounts.

“A PIN number is easy to steal,” says Whitmore. “All you have to do is look over someone's shoulder when they make a debit card purchase. I had never spoken my PIN number out loud or written it down, but still, someone has stolen it from me. PIN numbers are not as foolproof as the bank thinks they are. Biometric security is the only way to be absolutely sure someone is authorized to make a transaction.”

What Is Biometric Security?

The word “biometric” comes form the Greek bios, meaning “life,” and metron, “measure.” A biometric security reader is able to recognize humans based on intrinsic physical traits. For example, a biometric reader can read eye retinas or irises, facial patterns, hand measurements, or fingerprints.

Unlike keys, cards, or number sequences, access through biometric security cannot be transferred from person to person unless explicitly authorized.

“It is really hard to steal someone's fingerprints,” says Whitmore. “It's technically possible, but expensive. Your average criminal would not be able to get past biometric security measures. We need biometric security at every ATM machine, point-of-sale vendor, and bank.”

Biometric security may not have hit the end-user market just yet, but you can incorporate biometric security measures into your own home or business.

Biometric Security: Fingerprint Door Locks

A biometric security reader drives costs down while raising the level of security. The HandKey II Recognition System biometric reader can store information from 512 users (standard) up to 35,512 users (networked).

Biometric security access control can be incorporated into any security system. It is affordable and user-friendly, recognizing identity and granting access in less than one second.

The maker of the HandKey II Recognition System is Schlage, one of the most respected names in the security industry. Their extensive research, manufacturing, and consulting experience with biometric security technology makes them ideally qualified to assist in the security of your home or office.

Biometric Security: Fingerprint Wall Safe

The same technology you use to secure you home or business can be used on your wall safe. Security Stores sell the fingerprint wall safe to secure small personal items such a jewelry or handguns. You can use state-of-the-art biometric security right in your own home. Even banks aren't this advanced. That's too bad for Meghan Whitmore.

“I am looking forward to the day you need your fingerprint to make a purchase or withdrawal,” says Whitmore. “Biometric security is the future.”