1. Research: Biometric Authentication

Do some research on biometric authentication of check-cashing and other financial transactions. What is biometric authentication? What technologies does it use? How is it being used to authenticate financial transactions? How much does it cost to implement? What are its advantages? Is anyone critical of it? Why?

Use the IRAC method to analyze the following case.

You Be The Judge: Messing v. Bank of America[1]

Facts: Jeff Messing attempted to cash a check for $976 at a Bank of America branch office. The check was made out to Messing and drawn on the Bank of America. A teller asked Messing to provide identification. Messing presented his drivers license and a major credit card but Bank of America policy required a thumbprint signature from anyone wishing to cash a check who did not have an account at the bank. When Messing declined, the teller refused to cash the check.

You Be the Judge: Was the banks thumbprint policy permissible under the UCC? Had Messing provided reasonable identification?

Holding/Conclusion:

Question: Why didnt Messing just deposit the check in his own checking account instead of trying to cash it at a bank where he had no account?

Question: Is there anything wrong with that?

Question: Why did Messing refuse to provide a thumbprint?

Question: What is the trade-off in this case?

Question: Who should win this case?