Bellco FCU Launches Visual Assault on Fraud

WYOMISSING, Pa. -Bellco Federal Credit Union is fighting fraud and identity theft one image at a time. “We decided that with the growing threat of fraud and identity theft we wanted to do something proactive not just reactive,” said Bellco FCU Vice President of Operations Robin Shappell. “Luckily we were approached about an imaging system by Gary Leavitt, who created our data processing platform years ago and now started his own company Millennium Vision Inc.” The imaging system attaches directly to the server and Shappell says it works well with the $42 million credit union’s main system. Here is how it works. Photo images of every member’s old and new driver’s license are scanned and stored in the credit union’s computer system. Member service representatives can then hit a hot key and within in a matter of seconds visually verify the identity of each person making transactions. The system will also allow the credit union to scan documents related to all members again offering MSRs one-touch access to information such as signature cards listing all account holders. According to Shappell, about 95% of the members have embraced the program. For the few that refuse, citing privacy concerns Shappell says the MSRs simply inform them that they will be asked for identification for every transaction. “With our community charter we are getting new faces coming through the door every day so we position the scanning as a member convenience of never having to pull out your ID card again,” said Shappell. “Our employees love it and appreciate not having to ask for members’ identification. A lot of our members expect us to know them on sight and this system facilitates that at the touch of a button.” Shappell believes that the system’s approximate $30,000 price will be cost effective in the long run. “With this we can do more than just photo IDs and member cards such as check imaging and even cash withdrawal imaging,” said Shappell. “So it is useful not just for fighting fraud but also from a research perspective.” [email protected]