Security Printing

Headquartered in Peachtree City, Ga., Printegra announced major upgrades to its FormSource Limited and Copy Alert Laser Check lines. Design upgrades include new ink options, a prismatic feature and enhanced security elements, such as a new thermochromic lock icon. All of the products are Check 21 Compliant. According to Brand Manager Bill Reid, “We’ve added a host of new fraud deterrent security features and upgraded our design to give our distributors and their customers an improved value priced laser check solution. All of these features, as well as two new color and background choices, are available at no additional cost to our customers.”

PrintXcel, Montrose, Ala., recently updated its RDM image qualifying software to ensure compliance with requirements of the Canadian Payments Association. The updated software has been installed in all locations and will allow PrintXcel’s plants to design and test check documents for image compliance, so that the documents will meet the Canadian standards for imageable micr-encoded checks. RDM is the leading manufacturer of testing software and equipment for checks produced throughout North America. Said Deanna Day, senior brand manager, “PrintXcel’s ability to verify Canadian image compliance is a benefit to distributors and end-users who have questions about this technology. And, we will again provide free

Ameriprint and Pyramid Checks & Printing share their most requested check security products. The features in high demand at Pyramid include: • Thermocromatic inks • Opaque/coin reactive inks • Appleton Docucheck paper stock • Void pantographs Ameriprint’s customers request: • Copy-resistant check backgrounds and endorsement areas • Micro-printed borders and signature lines • Security papers with toner fusion • Security papers with visible and fluorescent fibers • Security papers that are sensitive to alteration chemicals

The con is everywhere. No matter what precautions are implemented, the digital world continues to pose new security issues to the identities of its users. And, while banks and financial institutions become more savvy about fraud and regulations, including 2004’s Check 21, the threat of check fraud remains. Due to heavier media coverage, it’s possible the majority of Americans might be more concerned with identity theft than they are with check fraud. Nevertheless, companies handling secure documents and manufacturing, such as Harvard, Illinois-based Ameriprint, continue to focus on check security. “Our most pressing concern is helping distributors convince their clients that they are potential

Headquartered in Rochester, N.Y., Document Security Systems (DSS)—specializing in proven, patented protection against counterfeiting and unauthorized copying, scanning and photo imaging—offers a bar code printing method developed for consumer products and tickets that protects the bar code from duplication, forgery and counterfeiting. As reported in the “Wall Street Journal” in October, criminals are counterfeiting bar codes on lower-priced merchandise and affixing them to higher-priced merchandise before they purchase it. They then resell the merchandise on the Internet at its true, higher price for substantial profits. DSS has developed a printing method to prevent the copying or scanning of the bar code as well

This check, designed by Frank Abagnale, is one of the most secure personal checks on the market. Available through SAFEChecks, the Supercheck contains 12 security features including dual-tone true watermark, thermochromatic ink, high-resolution borders, fluorescent ink, microprinting and a chemical wash detection box.

There are few security experts with the experience of Frank Abagnale. At age 16, Abagnale began to forge checks and con his way around the world. He had (and still has) a sharp eye for details, enabling him to steal millions of dollars. In his travels he impersonated airline pilots and a doctor, taught a university class and claimed to be a lawyer. On his third attempt, he passed the Louisiana bar examination, though he had never attended law school. During his criminal days, Abagnale had many encounters with police, FBI agents and law enforcement officials. He talked his way out of these situations.