signatures on websites

Charles Sweeney wrote:

> Why wasn't it a bad idea before the internet when lots of advertisers
> did it in print?

It was, but it was a smaller bad idea. Signing my name on a local
piece of paper didn't make it simultaneously appear in the hands of the
Bucharest wrong-uns, nor was I working in an environment where they
could then make an attempt on my assets.

(Incidentally, as it's you, my Romanian fraud score for the month is
already topping $250 for a couple of repeated attempts from a server
hosted by a .ro ISP.)
 >> Stay informed about: signatures on websites 

In article <Xns97CCB7EC1CF0Cmecharlessweeneycom.DeleteThis@130.133.1.4>, Charles Sweeney <me.DeleteThis@charlessweeney.com> wrote:
>freemont wrote
>
>> What is the general opinion about putting real scans of signatures on
>> clients' websites? Good idea, bad one? Real security risk, or only if
>> you're paranoid? This is a local business, and I'm thinking, jeez the
>> guy's signature is already all over the place. How many bank tellers
>and
>> secretaries scan your signature every day, etc?
>
>Real signatures have been used in ads in the printed medium for years,
>not aware of any adverse effects.
>
>Today identity theft is more of a problem, but they would need more than
>the signature.
>
>As you suggest, every time you write a cheque, or sign a credit-card
>slip, you are giving out your signature.
>
>All in all, I think only the paranoid need to worry greatly about it.
>
>I have given out plenty of information online, including my date of
>birth and picture, I think the only thing an identity thief would need
>would be my signature, so I'm not sure if I would put it online!
>

As Charles and others correctly poimt out, signatures have been used in print
for years with little problem. The missing part is that all that was before
tenagers had scanners and Photoshop. Today it's a way different ball game.

Today you can make a pretty good copy of a dollar bill with just a cheap
scanner and color printer. Today Identity theft is a huge and growing problem.
Today the rules have changed, and considering the environment of the internet
as a whole I'd think it a VERY bad idea to put a signature up where anyone
can right click on it and download it.

Two years ago someone took my checking account number and bought half a dozen
cell phones. It took me 14 months and an unbelievable effort to get it fixed.
I thank heavens they didn't also have my signature.

Larry L [in Honolulu]
 >> Stay informed about: signatures on websites