Re: [ga] Re: Banks (was: More thoughts on the ID-by-check-cashingidea)

[Karl Auerbach <karl@CaveBear.com>]

Not that the following is useful, but it might trigger some thoughts...

Banks have long engaged in remote identification - take for instance what
happens when one sends a load of goods internationally and sends a bill of
lading via the banking channels -- at the far end the buyer of the
shipment needs to get the bill of lading so that the shipper will hand
over the goods.  To get it the buyer needs to wander into the bank, hand
over the cash, and get the bill of lading.  Since it would be bad for
banks to simply hand over the bill to anybody presenting cash, the banks
tend to ask for identification along with the money.

This is ancient practice, dating from the 16th century.  However, it isn't
an inexpensive process.

		--karl--