Biased 'Experts' Misrepresent Security Solutions
In the recent movie Catch Me If You Can, a young con artist played by Leonardo DiCaprio is glorified in deceiving and defrauding innocent people. Distributors and security document manufacturers need to recognize and understand the potential of document security deception.
As the president of Verify First Technologies, an anti-fraud security provider with 14 security patents and a background of 39 years in our business, I take great pride in the integrity of our industry. I believe strongly in playing fair, but today a problem within the industry concerns my perception of honesty and fair play.
During the past several months and primarily since the release of Catch Me If You Can, several distributors have informed their manufacturers about security analyses performed by a "world-recognized authority." The results of these analyses, when compared with superior security technologies, are spun to make consumers believe they should buy security documents from certain direct manufacturers that supposedly "have more modern copy/void pantographs and control their security paper."
One example: Paso Robles, Calif.-based manufacturer ProDocumentSolutions printed secure check stock for a distributor who wanted to "layer" the best overt and covert anti-fraud solutions for his customer. The check was manufactured on SafeImage™ true watermarked paper with multiple layers of advanced substrate security, a new advanced NaNOcopy™ anti-copy pantograph, a TouchSafe® latent message verification seal, a split fountain rainbow background, microprinting and a warning message in the border, a list of security features and a control number on the back, enhanced laid lines, and chemical wash warning boxes. Obviously, this distributor went to the max to provide the best protection possible for his client.
But the "expert's" analysis of this particular check stock misled the consumer to believe that artificial watermarked paper is superior to true watermarked paper. Any quasi-expert knows that isn't true. The "expert" makes numerous other misleading statements--that the paper lacks toner fusion, that TouchSafe is simply thermochromic ink, and that the customer should upgrade to a newer anti-copy technology (a void pantograph from a few specifically named majors).
In my opinion, when fairly and objectively assessed, the technologies this distributor provided to his customer were far superior to those represented by this biased "expert." Any distributor, manufacturer or expert assessing security paper or technologies should use objective, side-by-side analysis.
George Phillips
President
Verify First Technologies
Paso Robles, Calif.
Trends Yield Opportunity
in Financial Niche
Three major movements in the financial industry offer smart distributors great opportunities to sell profitable forms to those clients.
One of the most important trends in the financial market is the aftermath of the 2001 federal law regarding electronic signatures, which gives e-signatures the same validity as printed ones on many frequently used documents. This law sparked changes to all kinds of operational forms in the niche, including teller receipts and loan documents, as well as rapid format changes to roll, laser and continuous forms.
The second important trend is high-tech fraud. It takes multiple layers of security to protect negotiable documents for financial institutions and the general public. Today, check fraud and counterfeiting is a $10 billion illegal industry.
The third important trend is the exciting value of color. To promote financial products and services, 4-color printing increasingly is important for newsletters, brochures, ATM forms with coupons, and even basic operational forms such as envelopes and notices.
Richard Kwas
Sales Representative
Gemini Forms & Systems
Warren, Mich.
