CHECK VERIFICATION SYSTEM

A verification system for negotiable instruments, such as checks, that gathers and transmits information about the negotiable instrument and biometric data. The system preferably has the ability to scan the magnetic number off of checks, digitally encode fingerprints, scan driver's licenses or other identification cards, and take a signature of a customer, all at a point of sale for purposes of fund verification. The check verification system preferably digitizes various indicia of the check, preferably the magnetic ink on the check, at the point of sale and transmits the check information data to a remotely located main system whereby the main system compares the inputted data with an existing database of information to determine if the customer at the point of sale is in fact authorized to use the account, and if the account is in satisfactory condition for check approval. The check verification system alternatively includes a biometric data device for recording and/or transmitting biometric data, such as the fingerprint of the customer, taken at the point of sale, and the device alternately prints the biometric data on the check, either in actual or digitally encoded form, such that the biometric data can be later checked against a database at the time the check is processed at a bank. The system alternately includes a device for scanning an information card which contains biometric data such as a proper fingerprint and/or a signature, and the remotely gathered data can alternatively be compared to the recorded data on the card, in addition to or instead of, transmission of the gathered data to the database(s).