WO1992005034A1

WO1992005034A1 - Cheque security

Info

Publication number: WO1992005034A1
Application number: PCT/GB1991/001606
Authority: WO
Inventors: John Kevin Thompson
Original assignee: Consul Printing & Packaging Ltd
Current assignee: Consul Printing & Packaging Ltd
Priority date: 1990-09-19
Filing date: 1991-09-19
Publication date: 1992-04-02
Anticipated expiration: 1993-03-19
Also published as: AU8610591A; GB9020406D0

Abstract

A set of cheques (1) such as traveller's cheques, comprises a number of cheques (2) each defining two positions (3, 4) at which the cheque (2) must be signed and a supply of tamper-proof, self-adhesive labels (5) which can be applied to the cheque (2) in order to cover a signature applied to a cheque (2) upon issuance thereof. When the cheque (2) is cashed it is signed for a second time before the cashier and the cashier then removes the label (5) covering the first signature in order to compare the first and second signatures. The labels (5) provide each cheque (2) with tamper-proof means for temporarily concealing the first signature applied to the cheque (2) so that that signature cannot be inspected should be the cheques (2) be lost or stolen.

Description

Cheque Security.

THE PRESENT INVENTION relates to cheque security and more particularly to the security of cheques in the form of traveller's cheques.

In some jurisdictions, including the United Kingdom, traveller's cheques can be purchased which may be exchanged for cash in a foreign country. The cheques are each of a predetermined value and a desired number of cheques are assembled into a book of cheques by the issuing body, depending upon the total value of the cheques required. This type of traveller's cheque usually has two positions on each cheque where the cheque must be signed. Upon issuance each cheque must initially be signed by the purchaser before the person issuing the cheques. Each cheque must then be signed for a second time before the cashier when it is being cashed. This enables the cashier to check that the two signatures tally.

If the cheques are lost or stolen then a person can readily see the signature of the purchaser and copy that signature in order fraudulently to cash the cheques.

The present invention seeks to provide for improved security of cheques of the type discussed above, where the cheques must each be signed twice, once before the issuing body and again when being cashed.

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a cheque defining two positions at which the cheque must be signed at different times and tamper-proof means temporarily concealing a first signature applied to the cheque, said tamper-proof means being adapted to permit the first signature to be revealed after the cheque has been signed with a second signature.

Preferably the tamper-proof means temporarily concealing the first signature comprise a self-adhesive label adhered to the cheque over the first signature.

Conveniently the self-adhesive label comprises a transparent supporting substrate carrying a removable, opaque coating on its upper surface and a coating of adhesive on its undersurface.

The removable opaque coating may comprise a scratch-off ink or may comprise a layer of ink covered by a film, the film being attached to the ink so that the ink can be peeled off the supporting substrate with the film.

Advantageously the cheque is provided with a marking which is only visible under an ultraviolet light.

The cheque may be a traveller's cheque and may be present in a book of cheques or a collection of individual cheques.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a kit of parts for creating a cheque as described above, the kit comprising a cheque defining two positions at which the cheque must be signed at different times and tamper-proof means for temporarily concealing a first signature applied to the cheque, said tamper-proof means being adapted to permit the first signature to be revealed after the cheque has been signed with a second signature.

Preferably the tamper-proof means for tempor¬ arily concealing the first signature comprise a self- adhesive label.

Conveniently the self-adhesive label comprises a transparent supporting substrate carrying a removable, opaque coating on its upper surface and a coating of adhesive on its under surface.

Advantageously the kit comprises a plurality of cheques and a plurality of labels, the labels being carried upon a backing sheet from which they may be readily removed.

The labels may be provided in a dispenser, which may incorporate means for removing each label from the backing sheet as it is withdrawn from the dispenser.

The or each cheque may be in the form of a traveller's cheque. A plurality of cheques may be provided in a book of cheques or a collection of individual cheques.

According to a further aspect of this invention there is provided a method of improving the security of cheques, the method comprising the steps of having the cheque signed for a first time by the person to whom it is being issued upon issuance of the cheque, temporarily concealing the signature applied to a cheque upon issuance thereof in a tamper-proof manner, having the cheque signed for a second time by the person cashing the cheque and subsequently revealing the signature applied to the cheque upon issuance thereof in order to compare the two signatures.

Preferably the step of temporarily concealing the signature in a tamper-proof manner comprises the application of a self-adhesive label to the cheque over the signature.

This invention also provides a method of issuing a cheque, the method comprising the steps of having the cheque signed by the person to whom it is being issued and then temporarily concealing the signature applied to the cheque in a tamper-proof manner. Preferably the signature is concealed by the application of self- adhesive label to the cheque over the signature. Con¬ veniently the label comprises a transparent supporting substrate carrying a removable, opaque coating on its upper surface and a coating of adhesive on its under surface.

This invention also provides a method of cashing a cheque which has been issued according to the method described above, the cashing method comprising the steps of having the cheque signed for a second time by the person cashing the cheque and then revealing the first signature applied to the cheque upon issuance thereof in order to compare the two signatures.

Preferably the step of revealing the signature applied to the cheque upon issuance thereof comprises removing the opaque coating from the upper surface of the supporting substrate of the label.

In order that the present invention may be more readily understood and so that further features thereof may be appreciated, the invention will now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing which is a schematic illustration of a set of traveller's cheques in accordance with one aspect of the present invention.

Referring to the drawing, a set of traveller's cheques 1 comprises a number of individual cheques 2 each of a predetermined value. Whilst Figure 1 illus¬ trates a cheque with a face value of twenty pounds Sterling, it is to be appreciated that this invention can be used with cheques of any value or currency. It is, for example, common in the United Kingdom for traveller's cheques to be issued in US Dollars. Each cheque 2 defines two readily identifiable regions 3, 4 where the cheque must be signed, the cheque being signed in the first region 3 upon issuance of the cheques and in the second region 4 when a cheque is cashed. The regions 3 , 4 are of a predetermined size. The cheques 2 as thus far described are conventional. Upon issuance of a set of traveller's cheques it is current practice for each cheque to be signed once before the issuing authority and for the cheques then to be assembled to form a book of cheques. Alternatively the cheques can be issued loose i.e. without being assembled into a book .

In accordance with the present invention the issuing authority is provided with a supply of trav¬ eller's cheques 1 and also with a supply of self- adhesive labels 5 in a dispenser 6. The labels 5 are carried on a backing sheet 7 from which they may readily be removed. Thus, the backing sheet may be in the form of a sheet of waxed paper or the like. The backing sheet is rolled up to form a reel which is contained within the dispenser 6. The labels may be withdrawn from the dispenser by pulling the backing sheet through an outlet slot 8. The outlet slot 8 may incorporate means for separating the labels 5 from the backing sheet 7 as the sheet is pulled through the slot 8. As an alternative to the arrangement shown in the drawing, the labels may be orientated on the backing sheet with their longitudinal axes parallel to the direction in which the sheet carrying the labels is withdrawn from the dispenser in order to facilitate manual removal of the labels from the backing sheet. The dispenser may be automated, rather than being manually operable, so as to speed up dispensing of the labels.

The labels 5 are of a predetermined shape and size, corresponding to the shape and size of the signa¬ ture regions 3_> 4 on each cheque 2 and are designed to be stuck over the signature regions 3 , 4. Each label 5 comprises a transparent supporting substrate carrying an opaque 'scratch-off ink on its upper surface. The scratch-off ink may be removed by 'rubbing' it with a sharp object such as the edge of a coin. The label then becomes transparent. The labels may be provided with an alternative removable coating on the upper surface of the supporting substrate, such as a thin film of metal or plastics material. It is envisaged that the suppor¬ ting substrate may carry a layer of ink upon which a thin top laminate or film is applied with the top laminate being stuck to the ink so that as the laminate is peeled off it takes the ink with it, leaving the transparent supporting substrate behind. The label will be designed such that the film carrying the ink cannot subsequently be reapplied to the supporting substrate or at least will not readily stick thereto again.

The under surface of the supporting substrate is provided with an adhesive which enables the label to be stuck on conventional paper, such as is used to form cheques. The label cannot subsequently be removed as a whole without visibly marking or tearing the paper or without damaging or destroying the label by tearing it. The label may be formed with slits so that it readily tears when it is removed or if an attempt is made to remove it from a cheque, thereby rendering it virtually impossible to reapply the label to the cheque. The adhesive on the undersurface of the supporting substrate does, of course, permit the labels to be readily removed, as a whole, from the specially treated backing sheet 7- The adhesives used in the label construction would be secure in all environments and temperatures and would be non-migratory so as not to affect the pre¬ printed cheques.

It is envisaged that the cheque issuing authority will be supplied with a batch of cheques and with a corresponding number of labels 5 in a dispenser 6. When the cheques are issued the person purchasing the cheques will be requested to sign each cheque before the issuing authority in the usual manner. A self-adhesive label 5 will then be removed from the backing sheet 7 by the issuing authority and will be applied to a signed cheque in order to cover the signature. When all the cheques have been signed and all the signatures covered with an appropriate label 5 the issuing authority will assemble the cheques into a book of cheques in the usual way, unless the purchaser wishes to take the cheques loose rather than in a book.

When the purchaser wishes to cash one or more of the traveller's cheques he will be requested to sign each of the cheques in the second signature region 4 and the cashier will then 'scratch-off, peel off or other¬ wise remove the ink or any other coating on the label 5 in order to reveal the initial signature applied to the cheque, the signature now being located beneath the transparent supporting substrate left behind. The two signatures can then be compared in order to check that they correspond with one another.

It will be appreciated that if the cheques are lost or stolen before they are cashed the first signa¬ ture applied to each cheque will not be visible. If a person wishes to inspect the first signature applied to the cheque then they must scratch off or peel off the ink from the label 5 or remove any other form of coating used on the label or the person must remove the label 5 from the cheque completely. However, it will be immed¬ iately apparent if any of these procedures have been attempted, since removing the label 5 from the cheque will damage the cheque and it can be readily seen when the ink or other coating has been scratched off or removed from the label 5. Thus, the labels 5 effec¬ tively provide a tamper-proof means for temporarily concealing the signature initially applied to each of the cheques.

It is sometimes the case that traveller's cheques are issued to a person who is not the person who will ultimately cash or use the cheques and in this case the traveller's cheques will be issued without an initial signature being applied to the cheques but a label 5 will nevertheless be applied over the first signature region on the cheque so that once the cheques have been issued they are indistinguishable from cheques which have been signed initially in the usual way. However, if the cheques are lost or stolen there is no redress in this particular circumstance.

The security of the traveller's cheques may be further improved by forming the cheques on paper which is provided with a marking which is only visible under an ultravoilet light. It would then be immediately apparent upon inspection of the cheques under an ultra¬ violet light whether the cheques are forged.

Security could be further enhanced by various features, such as the use of materials which disinteg¬ rate if tampered with, treating the adhesive provided between the ink on the label and the top film in the case where the ink is to be peeled off, so that only partial delamination takes place as the ink is peeled off with some areas of ink being left on the supporting substrate of the label, thereby making it very difficult for someone to try and reapply the removed part of the label. Chemical security inks could be used which change colour when tampered with or which show evidence of tampering in some other way. The signature regions 3, 4 may be marked in such a way as to be visually dis¬ tinguishable from the remaining area of the face of the cheque so that if the opaque coating is successfully removed, unless it is reapplied in exactly the correct position over the signature region, there will be a visual indication that the label has been tampered with.

It will be appreciated that modifications may be made to the arrangement described above without departing from the scope of the present invention. Thus, for example, it is envisaged that the label dis- penser may be semi or fully automated so that it auto¬ matically applies a label to a cheque. In this case the label dispensing apparatus would define an opening into which a signed cheque is inserted. Upon detecting the presence of the cheque the dispenser would automatically apply a label to the cheque covering the signature or the signature region if the cheque is unsigned.

Claims

1. A cheque defining two positions at which the cheque must be signed at different times and tamper- proof means temporarily concealing a first signature applied to the cheque, said tamper-proof means being adapted to permit the first signature to be revealed after the cheque has been signed with a second signa¬ ture.

2. A cheque according to Claim 1 wherein the tamper- proof means temporarily concealing the first signature comprise a self-adhesive label adhered to the cheque over the first signature.

3. A cheque according to Claim 2 wherein the self- adhesive label comprises a transparent supporting sub¬ strate carrying a removable, opaque coating on its upper surface and a coating of adhesive on its undersurface.

4. A cheque according to Claim 3 wherein the removable, opaque coating comprises a scratch-off ink.

5. A cheque according to Claim 3 wherein the removable, opaque coating comprises a layer of ink covered by a film, the film being attached to the ink so that the ink can be peeled off the supporting substrate with the film.

6. A cheque according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the cheque is provided with a marking which is only visible under an ultraviolet light.

7. A cheque according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the cheque is a traveller's cheque.

8. A cheque according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the cheque is present in a book of cheques or a collection of individual cheques.

9. A kit of parts for creating a cheque according to any one of the preceding claims, the kit comprising a cheque defining two positions at which the cheque must be signed at different times and tamper-proof means for temporarily concealing a first signature applied to the cheque, said tamper-proof means being adapted to permit the first signature to be revealed after the cheque has been signed with a second signature.

10. A kit of parts according to Claim 9 wherein the tamper-proof means for temporarily concealing the first signature comprise a self-adhesive label.

11. A kit of parts according to Claim 10 wherein the self-adhesive label comprises a transparent supporting substrate carrying a removable, opaque coating on its upper surface and a coating of adhesive on its under surface.

12. A kit of parts according to Claim 11 wherein the removable, opaque coating comprises a scratch-off ink.

13- A kit of parts according to Claim 11 wherein the removable, opaque coating comprises a layer of ink covered by a film, the film being attached to the ink so that the ink can be peeled off the supporting substrate with the film.

14. A kit of parts according to any one of Claims 9 to 13 wherein the kit comprises a plurality of cheques and a plurality of labels, the labels being carried upon a backing sheet from which they may be readily removed.

15. A kit of parts according to Claim 14 wherein the labels are provided in a dispenser.

16. A kit of parts according to Claim 15 wherein the dispenser incorporates means for removing each label from the backing sheet as it is withdrawn from the dispenser.

17. A kit of parts according to any one of Claims 9 to 16 wherein the or each cheque is in the form of a traveller's cheque.

18. A kit of parts according to any one of Claims 9 to 17 wherein a plurality of cheques are provided in a book of cheques or a collection of individual cheques.

19. A method of improving the security of cheques, the method comprising the steps of having the cheque signed for a first time by the person to whom it is being issued upon issuance of the cheque, temporarily concealing the signature applied to a cheque upon issuance thereof in a tamper-proof manner, having the cheque signed for a second time by the person cashing the cheque and subsequently revealing the signature applied to the cheque upon issuance thereof in order to compare the two signatures.

20. A method according to Claim 19 wherein the step of temporarily concealing the signature in a tamper- proof manner comprises the application of a self- adhesive label to the cheque over the signature.

21. A method according to Claim 20 wherein the self- adhesive label comprises a transparent supporting sub¬ strate carrying a removable, opaque coating on its upper surface and a coating of adhesive on its undersurface.

22. A method according to Claim 21 wherein the removable, opaque coating comprises a scratch-off ink.

23. A method according to Claim 21 wherein the removable, opaque coating comprises a layer of ink covered by a film, the film being attached to the ink so that the ink can be peeled off the supporting substrate with the film.

24. A method of issuing a cheque, the method comprising the steps of having the cheque signed by the person to whom it is being issued and then temporarily concealing the signature applied to the cheque in a tamper-proof manner.

25. A method of issuing a cheque according to Claim 24 wherein the signature is concealed by the application of self-adhesive label to the cheque over the signature.

26. A method of issuing a cheque according to Claim 25 wherein the label comprises a transparent supporting substrate carrying a removable, opaque coating on its upper surface and a coating of adhesive on its under surface.

27. A method according to Claim 26 wherein the removable, opaque coating comprises a scratch-off ink.

28. A method according to Claim 26 wherein the removable, opaque coating comprises a layer of ink covered by a film, the film being attached to the ink so that the ink can be peeled off the supporting substrate with the film.

29- A method of cashing a cheque which has been issued according to any one of Claims 24 to 28, the method comprising the steps of having the cheque signed for a second time by the person cashing the cheque and then revealing the first signature applied to the cheque upon issuance thereof in order to compare the two signa¬ tures.

30. A method of cashing a cheque according to Claim 29, as dependant upon Claim 26, wherein the step of revealing the signature applied to the cheque upon issuance thereof comprises removing the opaque coating from the upper surface of the supporting substrate of the label.

31. A cheque substantially as herein described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.

32. A kit of parts substantially as herein described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.

33. A method of improving the security of cheques substantially as herein described.

34. A method of issuing a cheque substantially as herein described.

35. A method of cashing a cheque substantially as herein described.