Abstract:
Most financial transactions involving check deposits and cashing at automatic teller machines are often associated with high risk. Although conventional security measures for many automatic teller machines record financial transactions, the recorded events are typically viewed after suspicious or criminal activity has already occurred. Therefore, a financial institution may not know in advance whether requested financial transactions are of suspicious or fraudulent intent. The present teachings relate to a method of scoring customers prior to authorization in a manner so as to identify suspicious behavior or suspicious activity. The method also relates to marking suspicious individuals by storing related transaction information, such as biometric data, in a database for purposes of verifying identification information and scoring the validity of future financial transactions.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS  
     This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/813,915, filed on Mar. 31, 2004 and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/460,836, filed Apr. 3, 2003, the entirety of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to financial transactions and, in particular, to a system and method of identifying and logging suspicious behavior or suspicious activity during financial transactions. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Typical checking transactions involve depositing or cashing paper drafted checks, such as personal, business, government, and payroll checks. In some situations, customers or check presenters utilize a checking service provider, such as a check cashing service, to deposit or cash paper drafted checks, or, for example, they may utilize a check cashing service for convenience. Currently, to improve the convenience of depositing or cashing checks and to reduce the cost associated with depositing or cashing checks, checking service providers have increasingly reduced human interaction at the point of transaction with unmanned transaction terminals. Examples of unmanned transaction terminals include automatic teller machines (ATMs), advanced function kiosks, and interactive point of sale (POS) devices. The unmanned transaction terminals may be remotely located some distance from the check cashing services, and thus may not be physically monitored. 
     As a result, unmanned transaction terminals may be subject to suspicious behavior or suspicious activity, such as bouncing checks, cashing fraudulently acquired checks, assuming another person&#39;s identity, and falsifying documents. For example, a customer may attempt to cash a check belonging to another individual, or the customer may attempt to draw funds from an account having insufficient funds. In some circumstances, security measures are adopted to deter suspicious behavior or suspicious activity. Current security measures for many unmanned transaction terminals include video surveillance such that the video cameras are configured to record financial transactions, including depositing or cashing of paper drafted checks. Unfortunately, the video recorded financial transactions are typically viewed after suspicious behavior or suspicious activity has already occurred. Thus, a checking service provider may not know in advance whether the requested financial transaction is of suspicious intent. 
     In certain high risk environments, it may be necessary to issue a high number of risk based declines to protect the check cashing service from high returned check rates, delinquent checking accounts, and fraud. Unfortunately, issuing a high number of risk based declines may result in customers becoming upset in situations where legitimate check related deposits are declined or temporarily held in abeyance due to previously adverse check depositing or writing histories, which can sometimes be difficult to overcome. Also, issuing a high number of risk based declines may reduce revenue by turning away customers that may have engaged in suspicious behavior or suspicious activity in the past but, for the most part, pay returned check service fees. Moreover, due to security concerns and the associated risk of accepting paper drafted checks, issuing a high number of risk based declines may adversely impact the ability of the checking service provider to conduct business in particular neighborhoods or communities, wherein customers that are consistently declined may choose to utilize a different checking service provider. Thus, the lack of flexibility to quickly identify suspicious behavior or suspicious activity by conventional unmanned transaction terminals may require significant improvement. 
     From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that there is a need for a process by which the checking service provider can more effectively accept check deposits from documented and undocumented customers. To this end, there currently exists a need to more accurately identify suspicious behavior or suspicious activity at the point of transaction so as to better serve many customers and to substantially avoid customers with delinquent and insufficiently funded accounts, fraudulent deposits, counterfeit checks, and high returned check rates. By more accurately identifying suspicious customers, financial institutions, such as checking service providers, can improve customer relations, increase revenue, and confidently decline transactions involving suspicious behavior or suspicious activity. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
     The present teachings describe one or more methods and systems for identifying suspicious behavior or suspicious activity during financial transactions using a suspicious persons database. In one embodiment, the aforementioned needs may be satisfied by a method of processing financial transactions from a customer at an unmanned location, wherein the method may comprise acquiring identification information from the customer and determining whether the customer has previously engaged in suspicious behavior or suspicious activity by comparing the customer&#39;s identification information to information stored in a suspicious persons database. In addition, the method may comprise retrieving a score indicative of a level of suspicion if the customer has previously engaged in suspicious behavior or suspicious activity and, further, authorizing one or more financial transactions for the customer if the score is below a pre-selected threshold. 
     In one aspect, acquiring identification information may comprise acquiring biometric information from the customer, check presenter, or check depositor, wherein the biometric information may include some form of biometric sample or data related to the customer. For example, biometric information, data, or sample may include image, photograph, fingerprint, handprint, voice sample, handwriting sample, iris scan, retina scan, or various other generally known biometric or biomedically implanted information useful for identifying the customer or check presenter. Also, comparing the customer&#39;s identification information to information stored in the database may comprise comparing the customer&#39;s biometric information to previously stored biometric information in the suspicious persons database. 
     In another aspect, the method may further comprise contacting a customer service agent if the customer&#39;s biometric information matches at least one of the previously stored biometric information in the suspicious persons database. Moreover, the method may still further comprise verifying the identity of the customer by the customer service agent if the customer&#39;s biometric information matches previously stored biometric information in the suspicious persons database. The method may still further comprise declining financial transactions for the customer if the customer service agent determines that the customer is engaging in suspicious behavior or suspicious activity. The method may further comprise contacting a customer service agent if the score is above the pre-selected threshold. The method may further comprise verifying the score by the customer service agent if the score is above the pre-selected threshold and/or declining the financial transaction by the customer service agent if the score is above the pre-selected threshold. Moreover, the suspicious persons database can be utilized to identify and track suspicious behavior or suspicious activity during a financial transaction. 
     In another embodiment, the aforementioned needs may also be satisfied by a method of processing financial transactions at an unmanned location, wherein customers submit checks in exchange for cash. The method may comprise acquiring information relating to the financial transactions and the customers, creating records of customers that engage in suspicious behavior or suspicious activity, wherein the records comprise scores indicative of a level of suspicion, and approving financial transactions from customers that have scores below a preset threshold of suspicious behavior or suspicious activity. The method may further comprise declining financial transactions from customers that have scores above a preset threshold of suspicious behavior or suspicious activity. 
     In still another embodiment, the aforementioned needs may be satisfied by a method of identifying suspicious individuals in financial transactions at an unmanned location. The method may comprise tracking suspicious individuals with scores indicative of a level of suspicion, acquiring biometric information of the suspicious individuals, and storing the scores and the biometric information as records in a database. In addition, the method may further comprise identifying suspicious individuals when processing financial transactions by comparing either the biometric information or the scores to the suspicious individuals during financial transactions and declining financial transactions for suspicious individuals if the scores are above a pre-set threshold. The method may still further comprise declining the transaction request if suspicious behavior or suspicious activity is suspected. 
     In still another embodiment, the aforementioned needs may be satisfied by a method of processing financial transactions that transpire in an unmanned environment. The method may comprise receiving transaction information from a plurality of customers, creating records of customers that engage in suspicious behavior or suspicious activity, and identifying suspicious behavior or suspicious activity in financial transactions by comparing the received transaction information to the records so as to identify suspicious behavior or suspicious activity. In addition, the method may further comprise approving the financial transactions if suspicious behavior or suspicious activity is not suspected and declining financial transactions if suspicious behavior or suspicious activity is suspected. The method may still further comprise creating records of customers, generating scores indicative of a level of suspicion, and scoring the customers based on a degree of demonstrated suspicious behavior or suspicious activity. 
     The aforementioned needs may be satisfied by a method of identifying suspicious behavior or suspicious activity in a financial transaction at an unmanned location. The method may comprise receiving transaction requests from suspicious individuals and non-suspicious or registered individuals at the unmanned location, creating records of suspicious individuals having scores indicative of a level of suspicion, and comparing the scores of suspicious and non-suspicious individuals to a preset threshold of suspicion so as to identify suspicious behavior or suspicious activity. In addition, the method may comprise approving the transaction requests if suspicious behavior or suspicious activity is not suspected and declining the transaction request if suspicious behavior or suspicious activity is suspected. 
     The aforementioned needs may also be satisfied by a system for processing financial transactions from customers at an unmanned location. In one embodiment, the system may comprise an interactive component positioned at the unmanned location, wherein the interactive component is configured to obtain transaction information relating to the financial transactions and the customers, a storage component that records financial transactions of customers that demonstrate suspicious behavior or suspicious activity along with a score based on a level of suspicion and biometric information of the customer, and a processing component that receives the transaction information from the interactive component and identifies suspicious behavior or suspicious activity relating to the financial transactions by either comparing the received transaction information to previously recorded scores or biometric information in the storage component. 
     The aforementioned needs may also be satisfied by a system for authorizing financial transactions at an unmanned location, wherein a customer submits a check in exchange for cash. In one embodiment, the system may comprise an input device positioned at the unmanned location, wherein the input device is configured to obtain check identification information from the check, identification information from the customer, and biometric information from the customer. In addition, the system may comprise a database configured to store at least the biometric information and a processor configured to receive the identification information from the input device and identify suspicious behavior or suspicious activity relating to the financial transaction and/or the customer prior to cashing the check by at least comparing the received biometric information to previously recorded biometric information in the database. 
     These and other aspects, advantages, and novel features of the invention will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description and upon reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, similar elements have similar reference numerals. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
         FIG. 1  illustrates one embodiment of a financial transaction involving a customer, an interactive transaction device, a check cashing service having a suspicious persons database, and plurality of financial institutions. 
         FIG. 2A  illustrates one embodiment of the suspicious persons database in  FIG. 1  having a plurality of customer related records. 
         FIG. 2B  illustrates another embodiment of the suspicious persons database, wherein a customer record database tracks registered customers and the suspicious persons database tracks suspicious customers. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates one embodiment of a transaction process that may be utilized by the check cashing service in  FIG. 1  to create records in the suspicious persons database. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates one embodiment of an evaluation process that may be used by the check cashing service in  FIG. 1  in conjunction with the suspicious persons database in  FIG. 2  to identify suspicious behavior or suspicious activity using a transaction processing component. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates one embodiment of a scoring process that may be used by the check cashing service in  FIG. 1  in conjunction with the suspicious persons database to score suspicious behavior or suspicious activity. 
         FIG. 6  illustrates one embodiment of an agent intervention process that may be used by the check cashing service in  FIG. 1  in conjunction with the suspicious persons database to identify suspicious behavior or suspicious activity. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
     Reference will now be made to the drawings, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout.  FIG. 1  illustrates one embodiment of a financial transaction involving a customer  100 , an interactive transaction device  102 , and a checking service provider  104 . In addition,  FIG. 1  further illustrates a plurality of financial institutions that may be involved in the financial transaction including a clearing house  120 , such as the Federal Clearing House (FCH) or Automated Clearing House (ACH), a customer&#39;s financial institution  122 , and a check issuer&#39;s financial institution  124 . In one aspect, it should be appreciated that the financial institutions as described herein may be referred to as or include financial entities, organizations, systems, banks, various banking institutions, etc. without departing from the scope of the present teachings. It should also be appreciated that the customer  100  may be referred to as or include a check presenter or check depositor without departing from the scope of the present teachings. Moreover, it should also be appreciated that the customer&#39;s financial institution  122  and the check issuer&#39;s financial institution  124  may be one in the same without departing from the scope of the present teachings. 
     In one embodiment, the interactive transaction device  102  may comprise an automatic teller machine (ATM), an advanced function kiosk, or a point of sale (POS) device. The interactive transaction device  102  may be located at various merchant locations, such as retailers, convenience stores, check cashing service locations, gas stations, etc. In addition, the interactive transaction device  102  may also comprise an unmanned terminal, such as an ATM machine, that may be remotely located some distance from one or more of the financial institutions. Various methods of check cashing and depositing may involve the checking service provider  104  or check guarantor, which provides access to the interactive transaction devices  102 , a customer  100 , such as a depositor or check casher, and one or more of the financial institutions  120 ,  122 ,  124 . In addition, it should be appreciated that the interactive transaction device  102  may comprise a plurality of interactive transaction devices  102  without departing from the scope of the present teachings. It should also be appreciated that the checking service provider  104  may comprise a check cashing service. 
     In one embodiment, the interactive transaction device  102  may be equipped with various data acquisition components, such as a check reader, magnetic card reader, and a keyboard. The check reader component of the interactive transaction device  102  may be used to identify, by either magnetic ink character recognition (MICR) or optical character recognition (OCR), the customer&#39;s name and signature, an account number, a check amount, a check date, and the American Banking Association (ABA) routing number printed on the face of the paper drafted check. The keyboard component may be used by the customer  100  to input other identification information, such as a social security number and a driver&#39;s license number. The magnetic card reader may be used to scan an ATM card or a driver&#39;s license for identification purposes. It should be appreciated that further description relating to interactive POS devices are described in the Applicant&#39;s co-pending U.S. Patent Application entitled “Data Validation Systems and Methods for Use in Financial Transactions” application Ser. No. 10/671,000, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     In addition, the interactive transaction device  102  may be configured to accept biometric information related to the customer  100 . In one embodiment, the interactive transaction device  102  may be configured to acquire various types of biometric information, such as data or sample including an image, photograph, fingerprint, handprint, voice sample, handwriting sample, iris scan, retina scan, or various other generally known biometric or biomedically implanted information useful for identifying the customer, check depositor, or check presenter. For example, a photograph of the customer or check presenter  100  may be captured by a camera and included as part of the transaction record for verification of the customer&#39;s identity. Alternatively, a fingerprint may be scanned by a fingerprint capturing device and included in the transaction record. Additional information related to biometric information and the acquisition thereof is described in greater detail in the Applicant&#39;s co-pending U.S. Patent Application entitled “Systems and Methods for obtaining Biometric Information at a Point of Sale” application Ser. No. 10/731,519, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     Subsequently, the identification information may be packaged, either electronically or otherwise, in a transaction request file and submitted to the checking service provider  104  for authorization. In one aspect, it should be appreciated that the transaction request file may be electronically generated utilizing generally known electronic check conversion technology. Upon authorization, the transaction may be electronically transferred through a clearing process such that the checking service provider  104  uses the acquired identification information in the transaction request to request a transfer funds through the clearing house  120 , such as the FCH or ACH. In one aspect, if the transaction request is determined to be valid by the check issuer&#39;s financial institution  124 , then the payment “clears” and the amount indicated in the transaction request may be debited from the check issuer&#39;s account in the credit issuer&#39;s financial institution  124  and credited to the customer&#39;s account in the customer&#39;s financial institution  122 . It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various other generally known clearing processes may be utilized without departing from the scope of the present teachings. 
     As further illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the checking service provider  104  may include a customer service agent  106 , a transaction processing component  108 , a customer record database (CRD)  110 , and a suspicious person database (SPD)  112 . In one aspect, the customer record database  110  includes records of customers who have signed up for check cashing services. Additionally, the suspicious persons database  112  includes records of customers, check presenters, or check depositors that have demonstrated some sort of suspicious behavior or suspicious activity. In another aspect, the suspicious persons database  112  can be utilized to identify and track suspicious behavior or suspicious activity so as to protect retailers, convenience stores, check cashing service locations, gas stations, etc. from suspicious behavior or suspicious activity. Moreover, the transaction processing component  108  may be utilized in conjunction with the suspicious person database  112  to evaluate received transaction requests and determine if suspicious behavior or suspicious activity is occurring. The customer service agent  106  intervenes when suspicious behavior or suspicious activity is suspected by the transaction processing component  108 . The scope and functionality of each component will be described in greater detail herein below. 
     In one embodiment, the transaction processing component  108  may be configured to electronically receive, for example, the previously described transaction requests from the interactive transaction device  102  and process the transaction requests prior to authorization of the financial transaction. In addition, the transaction processing component  108  coordinates evaluation processes of received transaction requests with the customer service agent  106  and the suspicious persons database  112  so as to increase the identification of suspicious behavior or suspicious activity. For example, after receiving a particular transaction request from the interactive transaction device  102 , the transaction processing component  108  may search the suspicious persons database (SPD)  112  for matching transaction parameters, such as a name, a social security number, and biometric information including digital photographs or scanned fingerprints. Additionally, it should be appreciated that biometric information may include various data or samples including an image, handprint, voice sample, handwriting sample, iris scan, retina scan, or various other generally known biometric or biomedically implanted information useful for identifying the customer, check depositor, or check presenter. If matching parameters are found to exist, then the transaction processing component  108  may contact the customer service agent  106  for further depositor identification and verification. Subsequently, the customer service agent  106  may re-evaluate the transaction request prior to authorization. The transaction process, including SPD evaluation and agent intervention, will be described in greater detail below. 
     In general, it will be appreciated that the transaction processing component  108  may comprise, by way of example, computers, program logic, or other substrate configurations representing data and instructions, which operate as described herein. In other embodiments, the transaction processing component  108  may comprise controller circuitry, processor circuitry, processors, general purpose single-chip or multi-chip microprocessors, digital signal processors, embedded microprocessors, microcontrollers, and the like. In addition, it will be appreciated that in one aspect, the program logic may advantageously be implemented as one or more components, wherein the components may advantageously be configured to execute on one or more processors. The components may include, but are not limited to, software or hardware components, modules such as software modules, object-oriented software components, class components and task components, processes methods, functions, attributes procedures, subroutines, segments of program code, drivers, firmware, micro-code, circuitry, data, databases, data structures, tables, arrays, and variables. 
       FIG. 2A  illustrates one embodiment of a suspicious persons database (SPD)  112  having a plurality of customer records  200  from 1 to N. In one aspect, the customer records  200  document or track the activity of previously encountered customers  100  and may include, but are not limited to, various attributes  220 ,  222  associated with the previously encountered customers. As illustrated in  FIG. 2A , one set of attributes may comprise identification information  220  of registered customers, such as customer name, social security number, driver&#39;s license number, biometric information, record creation date, and last transaction date. Another set of attributes may comprise SPD related information  222 , such as SPD score, transaction count since record creation date, automatic decline flag, purge date for automatic decline flag, reason codes impacting last five entries, dates for each reason code entry, and location number for each reason code entry. In another aspect, the SPD information  222  tracks or records the suspicious behavior or suspicious activities of particular individuals with the SPD score so as to determine the likelihood that these tracked individuals would repeat suspicious behavior or suspicious activity on future financial transactions. These attributes  220 ,  222  will be described in greater detail herein below. 
       FIG. 2B  illustrates an alternative embodiment of the suspicious person database  112  where customers  100  are separated into two types: suspicious customers and registered customers. In one aspect, suspicious customers are placed in the SPD  112  as described in  FIG. 2A , and registered customers  100  are placed in the customer record database (CRD)  110  in a similar format. The customer record database  110  may comprise a plurality of records  230  from 1 to N with attributes associated with identification information  220 . In addition, the customer record database  110  may comprise a historical transaction database for registered customers. If one of these customers demonstrates suspicious behavior or suspicious activity, then that customer may be added to the SPD  112 . Moreover, the SPD score will determine if a customer or check presenter  100  is active (suspicious) or inactive (registered). For example, an SPD score of one or more may be considered active and a score of zero may be considered inactive. This allows for an individual with a potentially high SPD score to reduce the high score after enough positive history has taken place. 
     As further illustrated in  FIGS. 2A ,  2 B, the records  200  may comprise SPD information  222  corresponding to the automatic decline flag. In one aspect, the automatic decline flag indicates whether or not automatic declines may be issued for future transactions from the marked customer or check presenter. Some registered customers may lose their check cashing privileges for a pre-determined time period due reoccurring suspicious behavior, suspicious activity, or an excessively bad check cashing history. In addition, the SPD information  222  may also comprise a purge date for the automatic decline flag, wherein the automatic decline flag may expire or be manually removed. 
     As will be described in greater detail herein below, the creation and addition of records to the SPD  112  may occur automatically during either an enrollment process or during any subsequent transaction. Records may also be added manually by the customer service agent  106  at any time before, during, or after subsequent transactions based on failures or suspicious behavior or suspicious activity during an agent validation process or based on agent intuition. Advantageously, the agent intervention process will be shown in  FIGS. 3 ,  4 ,  6  to offer additional identification of suspicious behavior or suspicious activity. 
     Also, each type of suspicious behavior or suspicious activity may have a certain number of points associated with it, and those points will be accumulated into an SPD score that may be reflected in each record as illustrated in  FIGS. 2A ,  2 B. In addition, non-suspicious activities, or the reversal or clarification of suspicious indicators, may have associated negative points and may thus reduce or adjust the SPD score in a record such that a lower degree of suspicious behavior or suspicious activity is indicated. It should be appreciated that, in this implementation, a higher SPD score reflects a higher degree of suspicion, and a lower SPD score reflects a lower degree of suspicion. The scoring process as well as examples of point values associated with particular suspicious activities will be described in greater detail herein below with reference to  FIG. 5 . 
     In one embodiment, the customer record database  110  and the suspicious persons database  112  may be implemented using applications designed for relational database development and implementation, such as, for example, those sold by Oracle Corporation or Sybase Corporation. In another embodiment, the databases  110 ,  112  may comprise a database design implemented using numerous other programming languages such as, for example, JAVA, C/C++, Basic, Fortran, or the like, wherein the database structure, tables, and associations are defined by code of the programming languages. It should be appreciated however, that these languages may also be utilized to develop applications and programs for accessing or manipulating the aforementioned Oracle or Sybase database designs. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates one embodiment of a transaction process  300  comprising one example of an enrollment process  330 . As previously mentioned, the SPD  112  may be utilized during both the enrollment process  330 , for example, a first check transaction, as well as during subsequent check cashing transactions. During enrollment, whenever a new account is requested, for example, when a social security number (SSN) that is not recognizable by the checking service provider  104  is inputted or entered into the interactive transaction device  102 , biometric information may be taken at the interactive transaction device  102 . The acquired biometric information may be compared to the previously recorded biometric information of registered customers and/or marked individuals in the SPD  112 . In one aspect, it should be appreciated that an identification number, such as a social security number, may be needed to distinguish between existing customers and new customers and that any number may be used to identify existing customers without departing from the scope of the present teachings. 
     It should also be appreciated that the identification number may comprise various other generally known identification numbers, such as a driver&#39;s license number, a customer account number, etc., or alpha numeric information, such as the customer&#39;s name, without departing from the scope of the present teachings. Additionally, the customer  100  may be required to input additional identification information, such as a pin number, zip code, telephone number, mother&#39;s maiden name, etc., into the interactive transaction device  102  so as to further validate the customer&#39;s identity prior to transaction approval. 
     The transaction process  300  initiates in a start state  302  and proceeds to a state  304 . In the state  304 , the checking service provider  104  receives a transaction request comprising, in one embodiment, an identification number, such as a social security number, and other details relating to the financial transaction from the interactive transaction device  102  via the transaction processing component  108 . The customer  100  may initiate the requested transaction by inputting the identification number into the interactive transaction device  102  via an interactive keyboard or key punch pad. As previously described, one or more requested financial transactions may involve using the interactive transaction device  102  to cash or deposit a paper drafted check, such as a payroll check, from a customer or depositor in exchange, for example, a cash withdrawal. It should be appreciated that the transaction request may be transferred electronically to the transaction processing component  108  via the internet, a telephone system, wireless modem, or other various electronic mechanisms of transit without departing from the scope of the present teachings. 
     Next, in a decision state  306  that follows, the transaction processing component  108  preprocesses the received identification number by comparing the identification number of the current customer  100  to previously stored identification numbers in the CRD  110  or the SPD  112 . If the transaction processing component  108  determines that a new account is being requested, because a match is not found, then the process  300  advances to a state  308  to initiate the enrollment process  330 . Otherwise, if the transaction processing component  108  determines that the current customer  100  is an existing customer in the CRD  100  or the SPD  112 , due to a matched identity in the CRD  110  or the SPD  112 , then the process  300  advances to a state  318  where an SPD evaluation process is performed in a manner as described herein below with reference to  FIG. 4 . 
     States  308  through  316  described one embodiment of the enrollment process  330 . It should be appreciated that the enrollment process  330  may take place at the interactive transaction device  102 , directly with the checking service provider  104 , or in one of the financial institutions  122 ,  124  without departing from the scope of the present teachings. It should also be appreciated that a record may created for every customer in the CRD  110 , and suspicious customers, that are first recorded in the CRD  110 , may be placed in the SPD  112  following any suspicious behavior or suspicious activity that results in an SPD score above zero. 
     In the state  308 , the transaction processing component  108  acquires or obtains identification information  220  from the current customer  100  using various data acquisition components in a manner as previously described with reference to  FIG. 1 . In one aspect, a paper drafted check submitted by the current customer  100  for depositing or cashing may be used as source information to generate transaction information relating to the customer  100  and the financial transaction. For example, the current customer  100  may run the paper drafted check through a data acquisition device, such as a MICR reader or image scanner, positioned on the interactive transaction device  122  to generate the transaction information. Alternatively, the current customer  100  may use a computing device, such as a personal computer (PC) in combination with a keyboard and the data acquisition device, positioned on the interactive transaction device  102  to generate the transaction information. 
     Next, in a state  310 , biometric information as previously described herein may be acquired from the current customer  100  in a manner as previously described herein and included as part of the transaction information. In one aspect, it should be appreciated that the transaction information including acquired biometric information of the current customer  100  may be stored by the checking service provider  104  in a memory component, such as the CRD  110  or the SPD  112 , and accessed whenever a particular customer requests approval for a financial transaction. 
     Next, in a decision state  312 , the transaction processing component  108  compares the acquired biometric information to previously stored biometric information in the SPD  112  using, for example, pattern recognition software or various other generally known digital image processing software. In addition, the transaction processing component  108  may also use the other acquired identification information to search the CRD  110  or SPD  112  for repeat entries. In the decision state  312 , if in formation in one or more searched records  200  are found not to match or the SPD biometric information of the current customer  100  fails to match an existing SPD biometric information, then the transaction process  300  advances to a state  316 . In the state  316 , a new account or record  200  corresponding to the current customer  100  may be established in the CRD  110  or the SPD  112 . 
     In one embodiment, creating a record  200  may include storing related identification information including digitized biometric information in the CRD  110  or the SPD  112  so as to protect the identity of the new members. It should be appreciated that, when a new record is created, default SPD information  222  including a default SPD score may be imposed so as to reflect an inactive SPD status, wherein the default SPD score may be zero. The records  200  may be created in a manner as previously described with reference to  FIGS. 2A ,  2 B. 
     Otherwise, if one or more searched SPD records  200  are found to match the new account information of the current customer  100  or the SPD biometric information of the current customer  100  matches an existing SPD biometric information, then the process  300  advances to a state  314  where the agent intervention process is performed. In the state  314 , the transaction processing component  108  may contact the customer service agent  106  for further transaction evaluation so as to identify the proper identity of the current customer  100 . 
     Advantageously, the customer service agent  106  may physically re-assess the SPD score or verify the identity of the current customer  100 . If a similar biometric information is determined to exist, then the agent  106  may conclude, for example, that the reason for suspicious behavior or suspicious activity is related to an existing customer  100  attempting to establish an additional account or membership. If suspicious behavior or suspicious activity is triggered by an additional account request, then the agent  106  may increase the SPD score of the existing customer to reflect the suspicious behavior or suspicious activity. In many cases, multiple enrollments from the same person may be blocked, and each new account request may result in an entry to the SPD  112 . 
     In addition, subsequent transactions relating to suspicious behavior or suspicious activity may require particular handling procedures such that transactions with an active SPD entry may be routed to the customer service agent  106 , the majority of which may be handled by the customer service agent  106  without speaking to the customer or depositor at the interactive transaction device  122 . Advantageously, agent  106  intervention may be used to further validate the identity of the current customer  100  and the legitimacy of the transaction in a manner so as to further identify suspicious behavior or suspicious activity. Agent intervention involving subsequent transactions will be described in greater detail herein below with reference to  FIG. 4 . 
     Next, in a decision state  312 , if suspicious behavior or suspicious activity is suspected by the agent  106 , then enrollment may be refused, and the transaction is declined in a state  318 . Following declination of the transaction, the process terminates in an end state  320 . Otherwise, if the agent  106  determines in the state  312  that the current customer  100  is legitimately trying to establish a new account, then the process advances to the state  316  to create a record in the CRD  110  or the SPD  112  for the current customer  100 . 
     In some cases, the agent  106  may determine that the current customer  100  is listed on an existing account with an associate, such as a relative, friend, or business. In this particular case, the agent  106  may allow the current customer  100  to proceed with the transaction using the existing account as a listed associate, or the agent  106  may allow the current customer  100  to create a new account in the state  316 . Advantageously, the agent intervention process in the state  314  allows the customer service agent  106  to make more flexible decisions based on information previously known and stored in the CRD  110  or the SPD  112  so as to resolve problems encountered at the interactive transaction device  102 . 
     Subsequent to the state  316 , the process  300  advances to the state  318  where the SPD evaluation process is performed in a manner as described herein below with reference to  FIG. 4 . After completing the SPD evaluation process in the state  318 , the transaction process  300  terminates in an end state  320 . 
     Advantageously, the above-mentioned transaction process  300  represents a significant improvement over traditional check handling procedures by preprocessing transactions to determine whether suspicious behavior or suspicious activity is occurring or is likely to occur. In particular, identification information including biometric information may be compared to previously recorded identification information and biometric information in a manner so as to validate identity of suspicious individuals. In addition, SPD  112  information may be applied to current and future financial transactions in a manner so as to utilize prior knowledge of suspicious behavior or suspicious activity for efficient identification of suspicious individuals, which promotes substantially faster closing, balancing, and settlement of financial transactions. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates one embodiment of an SPD evaluation process  400 . As illustrated, the SPD evaluation process  400  functionally describes the utilization of the SPD  112  by the checking service provider  104  to identify suspicious behavior or suspicious activity. Advantageously, transaction information, identification information, SPD scores, and biometric data may be utilized, at least in part, to identify marked individuals that may be associated with suspicious behavior or suspicious activity in past transactions. In addition, suspicious customers may be blocked from further transactions in a manner as will be described herein below. Moreover, low and moderately suspicious financial transactions may be approved and highly suspicious financial transactions declined in a manner such that the approved or declined status may be based on the customer&#39;s check cashing history, SPD score, or some other factor relevant to the transaction assessment. 
     The SPD evaluation process  400  initiates in a start state  402  and then proceeds to a state  404  where the transaction processing component  108  retrieves the current customer&#39;s record from the CRD  110  or the SPD  112 . Next, the process advances to a state  406  where the transaction processing component evaluates the retrieved record. In one aspect, evaluation methods may include, for example, verifying the customer&#39;s name, SSN, and account number with the financial institution indicated on the customer&#39;s check. During the process of validating the identification information in the state  402 , the transaction processing component  108  evaluates the SPD information  222  including the SPD score relating to the current customer  100 . The SPD information  222  including the SPD score may then be used by the transaction processing component  108  to determine the degree of suspicion related to the transaction and whether to authorize or decline the transaction. As will be described in greater detail herein below, the SPD scores may fall into three general degrees of suspicion, including a degree of low, moderate, and high suspicion. 
     Next, in a decision state  408 , if the transaction processing component  108  determines, based on the SPD score, that the transaction is of low suspicion, then the process  400  advances to a state  412 , where most of the transactions relating to the degree of low suspicion may be authorized by the checking service provider  104 . In some cases, the transaction may be declined in the state  412  by the transaction processing component  108  based on a high SPD score or if the automatic decline flag is active. In other cases, the transaction processing component  108  may decline financial transactions in the state  412  for the customer  100  if the transaction processing component  108  determines that the customer  100  is currently engaging in suspicious behavior or suspicious activity. Alternatively, in the decision state  410 , if the transaction is of moderate or high suspicion, then the process  400  advances to a state  410 , where the agent intervention process is performed. 
     In one embodiment, prior to sending the transactions to the customer service agent  106 , the transaction processing component  108  may attempt to validate the submitted transaction information. Some examples of transaction information validation include, but are not limited to, validating the checking information, validating the check type including payroll checks, company checks, business checks, and personal checks, validating the check amount, validating the endorsement/signature on back of the check, confirming that the payee name on the check matches the name on the check casher&#39;s account, comparing acquired biometric information with existing biometric information in the SPD  112 , and ensuring that the MICR line and other areas of the check do not appear to be altered. 
     In some cases, if the customer  100  is attempting to cash a payroll check, the transaction processing component  108  may attempt to confirm with the check issuer&#39;s financial institution  124  that the submitted check is valid. The transaction processing component  108  may also attempt to verify that sufficient funds exist in the check issuer&#39;s financial institution. It should be appreciated that various verification methods may be used to verify the received identification information so as to determine validity of the transaction without departing from the scope of the present teachings. 
     In the state  410 ,  FIG. 4  further illustrates one embodiment of an agent intervention process that may be used by the checking service provider  104  to resolve problems associated with suspicious transactions. If triggering of suspicious behavior or suspicious activity occurs in a manner as previously described, then the transaction processing component  108  may contact the customer service agent  106  for further transaction evaluation so as to identify the proper identity of the current customer  100 . Advantageously, the customer service agent  106  may physically re-assess the SPD score or verify the identity of the current customer  100 . 
     Additionally, in the state  410 , the customer service agent  106  may attempt to verify the identity of the current customer  100  by obtaining the transaction information, the CRD  110  information, or the SPD  112  information and then researching the suspicious behavior or suspicious activity indicated by the transaction processing component  108 . In one aspect, the customer service agent  106  may obtain current biometric information from the current customer at the interactive transaction component  102  and compare the received biometric information of the current customer  100  with previously recorded CRD  110  or SPD  112  biometric information. If similar biometric information is determined to exist, then the agent  106  may determine, for example, if the reason for suspicious behavior or suspicious activity is related to an existing customer  100  attempting to establish an additional account or membership. If suspicious behavior or suspicious activity is triggered by an additional account request, then the agent  106  may increase the SPD score to reflect the suspicious behavior or suspicious activity to thereby block the financial transaction and the additional account request. 
     Moreover, the customer service agent  106  may also attempt to validate the transaction information, such as an account number, check date, check amount, etc., and, if discrepancies arise, the agent  106  may score the suspicious behavior or suspicious activity accordingly. Next, the agent  106  may evaluate the SPD information  222  including the SPD score of the current customer  100  so as to determine the degree of suspicion related to the transaction in a manner as previously described. Following, if the degree of suspicion or the SPD score is determined to be acceptable then the transaction may be authorized in the state  412 . Otherwise, the transaction may be declined in the state  412  based on a high SPD score or if the automatic decline flag is active. In other cases, the customer service agent  106  may raise the SPD score of the current customer  100  if the customer service agent  106  determines that the customer  100  is currently engaging in some sort of suspicious behavior or suspicious activity. 
     Advantageously, the agent intervention process in the state  410  may be utilized to further identify suspicious behavior or suspicious activity. For example, the above-mentioned transaction process  300 , in conjunction with the SPD evaluation process  400  and the agent intervention process  410 , utilizes an efficient and selective mechanism for evaluating suspicious behavior or suspicious activity at the interactive transaction device  102 . In one aspect, if suspicious situations arise, the above-mentioned checking service provider  104  selectively evaluates transactions by comparing the transaction information with records  200  stored in the CRD  110  or the SPD  112 . As a result, financial transactions may be completed, balanced, and settled in a more confident manner such that the customer  100  is moderately inconvenienced and the checking service provider  104  reduces returned check rates. Hence, financial transactions utilizing the suspicious persons database  112  benefit from more efficient identification of suspicious behavior or suspicious activity. 
     Following the decision state  408  or the agent intervention state  410 , the SPD score  112  is re-calculated to reflect suspicious behavior or suspicious activity, transaction success, or transaction failure in a state  414 . The SPD score may increase if the transaction fails to clear, or the SPD score may decrease if the transaction proves successful. In one aspect, once a individual&#39;s SPD score reaches a pre-set threshold of moderate or high suspicion, the transaction processing component  108  may record the results of the individual&#39;s check cashing transactions in the suspicious persons database  112 , including archiving biometric information of the individual, and customer service agent intervention may then be required to proceed with the requested financial transaction. In other circumstances, if the SPD score reaches a degree of high suspicion, the transaction processing component  108  may decline the transaction and temporarily discontinue the individual&#39;s check cashing membership and privileges. The SPD scoring process will be described in greater detail in  FIG. 5 . 
     Following the SPD score re-calculation in the state  414 , the SPD  112  is updated in a state  416  to reflect the re-calculated score, which may result in positive or negative marks corresponding to the customer  100  for future transactions. As previously described, reducing an SPD score below a pre-determined threshold may result in an existing customer with a previously moderate or high SPD score being removed from an active SPD status in the SPD  112 . In another embodiment, if the updated SPD score results in an active SPD score, such as an SPD above zero, then the current customer  100  may be added to the SPD  112  based on this particular incident or event of suspicious behavior or suspicious activity. 
     It should be appreciated by one skilled in the art that there are many events that may result in the creation of an SPD record during transaction evaluation. Triggering events may include the failure of social security number validation routines, the failure of driver&#39;s license number validation routines, and the failure of credit header validation routines. Moreover, another event may include a check type mismatch after the enrollment process has been completed. For example, the customer or depositor indicated that the check comprised a payroll check, but, upon validation, the deposited check was determined to comprise a personal check or business check. Still another event may include whether the indicated check date is significantly incorrect. For example, an improper check date may include postdated checks and dates more than six months old. 
     Furthermore, other events that may result in the creation or addition of an SPD record during a transaction may include check amount mismatch, for example, the amount indicated on the check is different than the amount inputted by the customer. Also, fraudulent endorsements may qualify as an event, where, for example, a line in the endorsement line is designed to fool the kiosk OCR. Still other events may include magnetic ink not detected, altered MICR number, altered payee or check amount, and payroll check identified as stolen, stop pay, or already cashed by the check issuing financial institution. 
     After updating the SPD  112  in the state  416 , the process  400  advances to the state  418 , where the SPD evaluation process  400  returns to the transaction/enrollment process  300  of  FIG. 3 . Advantageously, the transaction validation process  400  may be utilized by the checking service provider  104  to score transactions based on the validity of the received transaction information, including identification information, from a customer  100 . By verifying the identity of the customer  100 , a degree of suspicion may be evaluated, fraudulent transactions may be avoided, and suspicious behavior or suspicious activity may be recorded in the SPD  112  for future transactions involving the customer  100 . Moreover, the customer service agent  106  may be involved to further address suspicious behavior or suspicious activity so as to perform a secondary analysis pertaining to moderately suspicious customers in a manner as previously described. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates one embodiment of a SPD scoring process  500  that may be used by the transaction processing component  108  to generate a SPD score indicative of the level or degree of suspicion relating to a particular customer or financial transaction involving the particular customer. The SPD scoring system allows the customer service agent  106  or the transaction processing component  108  to assign both positive and negative points to an individual based on behavior during previous and current transactions. This allows the checking service provider  104  to add individuals based on incidents of suspicious behavior or suspicious activity or remove individuals from the suspicious person database  110  if sufficient positive points have been accumulated through subsequent transactions to offset any negative suspicious behavior or suspicious activity. However, once an individual is removed from the SPD  112 , the individual may be added in the future if there is further demonstration of suspicious behavior or suspicious activity. Alternatively, this procedure also allows the customer service agent  106  or the transaction processing component  108  to add points to the individual&#39;s total if there is more suspicious behavior. 
     The SPD scores may fall into three general fields of suspicion, including a degree of low suspicion, moderate suspicion, and high suspicion. Most transactions relating to the degree of low suspicion may be approved. Although, once a individual&#39;s SPD scoring point value reaches a pre-set threshold of moderate suspicion, the checking service provider  104  may record the results of the individual&#39;s check cashing transactions in the SPD  112 , including archiving biometric information of the individual, and customer service agent intervention may then be required to proceed with the requested financial transaction. In one embodiment, a low degree of suspicion may comprise an SPD score below 10 points, a moderate degree of suspicion may comprise an SPD score between 10 and 15 points, and a high degree of suspicion may comprise and SPD score of above 15 points. It should be appreciated that the point values associated with the degrees of suspicion may be altered by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present teachings. 
     If the SPD scoring point value reaches a degree of high suspicion, the checking service provider  104  may temporarily discontinue the individual&#39;s check cashing membership and privileges. In one embodiment, that particular individual&#39;s biometric information or various other identification information may remain in the SPD  112  and be compared to new registrants during, for example, enrollment so as to determine if the temporarily discontinued member is trying to commit fraud under a new or different check cashing membership. It should be appreciated that entry of identifying items into the SPD  112  may occur on a real-time basis, including the accumulation of positive and negative points and comparison of new member applicant biometrics to those already residing in the SPD  112 . 
     In one aspect, a table may be created with each of the suspicious reason codes and the points associated with each activity. These point values may be stored in a table or various other database configurations so that the points may easily be modified when new SPD information or additional identification information becomes available. In another aspect, whenever the SPD score in a record is zero, the record may be considered inactive, wherein the inactive state allows for an individual to overcome a relatively high SPD score after enough positive history has taken place. In some situations, events with negative scores, for example, transactions that indicate a reduced level of risk, may not reduce the SPD score below zero. Also, in most cases, it should be appreciated that customer service agent  106  intuition may not be permitted to reduce a transaction SPD score below a value of one. One example of a validation scoring table is provided below. Note that the points associated with each reason code may be adjusted based on future suspicious behavior or suspicious activity. It should be appreciated that the below indicated SPD points may be altered by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present teachings. 
     
       
         
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 Reason 
                   
                   
               
               
                 Code 
                 Description 
                 SPD Points 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 10 
                 Operator intuition 
                 1-20 
               
               
                 11 
                 Photo matches another account - attempt to 
                 20 
               
               
                   
                 open multiple accounts 
               
               
                 12 
                 SSN validation failure 
                 20 
               
               
                 13 
                 DL validation failure 
                 20 
               
               
                 14 
                 Mod 10 validation failure 
                 20 
               
               
                 15 
                 Credit header validation failure 
                 20 
               
               
                 16 
                 Check type mismatch - high risk - for 
                 15 
               
               
                   
                 example, personal check tried to cash as 
               
               
                   
                 payroll 
               
               
                 17 
                 Other check type mismatch - for example, 
                 7 
               
               
                   
                 company check identified as payroll 
               
               
                 18 
                 Postdated check 
                 5 
               
               
                 19 
                 Check date mismatch - postdated check 
                 7 
               
               
                 20 
                 Check date mismatch by more than one 
                 10 
               
               
                   
                 week 
               
               
                 21 
                 Fraudulent endorsement 
                 15 
               
               
                 22 
                 Magnetic ink not detected 
                 20 
               
               
                 23 
                 Altered MICR 
                 15 
               
               
                 24 
                 Altered payee 
                 15 
               
               
                 25 
                 Altered check amount 
                 20 
               
               
                 26 
                 Lost, stolen, stop pay, or already cashed in 
                 20 
               
               
                   
                 positive pay file 
               
               
                 27 
                 Item does not exist in positive pay file 
                 0 
               
               
                 28 
                 Photo problem 
                 5 
               
               
                 110 
                 Operator intuition - low risk factors 
                 −1 through −5 
               
               
                 111 
                 Successful transaction 
                 −1 
               
               
                 112 
                 Credit header successfully validated 
                 −15 
               
               
                 113 
                 Photo problem resolved - for example, if 
                 −16 
               
               
                   
                 transaction repeated 
               
               
                 114 
                 Check date mismatch corrected if identical 
                 −2 
               
               
                   
                 transaction repeated 
               
               
                 115 
                 Check type mismatch corrected if identical 
                 −5 
               
               
                   
                 transaction repeated 
               
               
                 116 
                 Positive pay error confirmed to be legitimate 
                 −19 
               
               
                   
                 transaction 
               
               
                 117 
                 DL validation failure confirmed to be a 
                 −19 
               
               
                   
                 legitimate DL number 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     Advantageously, SPD scores relating to financial transactions offer an innovative method of identifying suspicious behavior or suspicious activity. If suspicious behavior or suspicious activity or situations arise, the above-mentioned SPD scores may allow the checking service provider  104  to determine in advance, for example, whether a customer  100  has a proven history of suspicious behavior or suspicious activity. Additionally, the SPD scores may be applied to a particular financial transaction in a manner so as to efficiently identify suspicious behavior or suspicious activity. Furthermore, SPD scores may be utilized to avoid likely fraudulent based rejections. In particular, SPD scores may be applied to current and future financial transactions in a manner so as to utilize prior knowledge of suspicious behavior or suspicious activity of documented customers to identify suspicious behavior or suspicious activity during transactions. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the SPD scoring process  500  initiates in a start state  502  and then proceeds to a state  504 , where the transaction processing component  108  retrieves the current customer&#39;s SPD score from the SPD database  112 . Next, the transaction processing component  108  identifies the reason for suspicion or discrepancies. For example, discrepancies in the transaction information may include, but are not limited to, invalid identification data, such as social security number, driver&#39;s license number, account number, ABA number, and biometric information. If reasons for suspicion or discrepancies in the received transaction information are identified, then the transaction processing component  108  retrieves the associated reason code from the previously mentioned reason code list in a state  508 . As previously mentioned, the reason codes have associated point values indicative of the severity of the suspicion, which may increase the SPD score according to the reason code points. Otherwise, if the transaction information is verified or determined correct, then the transaction processing component  108  may decrease the SPD score according to the previously indicated reason code points. In a state  510 , the reason code points are retrieved and, in a state  512  the SPD score is re-calculated so as to reflect transaction success or failure. Following, the SPD score is returned in an end state  514 . 
     Advantageously, the SPD scoring process  500  may be utilized by the checking service provider  104  to score transactions based on the validity of the received transaction information, including identification information, from the customer  100 . By verifying the identity of the customer, a degree of suspicion may be evaluated, fraudulent transactions may be avoided, and suspicious behavior or suspicious activity may be recorded in the SPD  112  for future transactions involving the customer  100 . It should be appreciated that the SPD scoring process  500 , as described herein, may be applied to the customer or financial transaction by the various components of the checking service provider  104  including the customer service agent  106  and the transaction processing component  108  without departing from the scope of the present teachings. In addition, a plurality of generated SPD scores may be recorded in the SPD  112  and referenced during future transactions as needed to identify suspicious behavior or activity. It should also be appreciated that the various components of the above-mentioned table as referenced by the description of  FIGS. 2A ,  2 B may be used in conjunction with the SPD scoring process  500  without departing from the scope of the present teachings. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates one embodiment of an agent intervention process  600  that may be used by the checking service provider  104  in  FIG. 1  in conjunction with the suspicious persons database  112  to identify suspicious behavior or suspicious activity. The agent intervention process  600 , such as the process described with reference to state  410  in  FIG. 4 , may be used by the checking service provider  104  to resolve problems associated with suspicious transactions. If triggering of suspicious behavior or suspicious activity occurs in a manner as previously described, then the transaction processing component  108  may contact the customer service agent  106  for further transaction evaluation so as to identify the proper identity of the current customer  100 . Advantageously, the customer service agent  106  may physically re-assess the SPD score or verify the identity of the current customer  100 . 
     In one embodiment, the agent intervention process  600  initiates in a start state  602  and then proceeds to a state  604 , where the customer service agent  106  is contacted, for example, by the interactive transaction device  102 . The customer service agent  106  may be contacted when the interactive transaction device  102  determines a predetermined level of suspicious behavior or suspicious activity by the customer  100  during a financial transaction. Next, in a state  606 , the customer service agent  106  verifies the identity of the customer  100  by, for example, comparing the transaction information provided by the customer  100  to the information provided by the customers financial institution  122 . Subsequently, in a state  608 , the customer service agent  106  validates the transaction information provided by the customer  100  during the financial transaction. In a state  610 , the customer service agent  106  evaluates the customer&#39;s record  200  so as to determine, for example, if suspicious behavior or suspicious activity is occurring. 
     In one embodiment, the customer service agent  106 , in the state  610 , may attempt to verify the identity of the current customer  100  by obtaining the transaction information, the CRD  110  information, or the SPD  112  information and then researching the suspicious behavior or suspicious activity indicated by the transaction processing component  108 . For example, the customer service agent  106  may obtain current biometric information from the current customer at the interactive transaction component  102  and compare the received biometric information of the current customer  100  with previously recorded CRD  110  or SPD  112  biometric information. If similar biometric information is determined to exist, then the customer service agent  106  may determine, for example, if the reason for suspicious behavior or suspicious activity is related to an existing customer  100  attempting to establish an additional account or membership. In one aspect, if suspicious behavior or suspicious activity is triggered by an additional account request, then the agent  106  may increase the SPD score in a following state to reflect the suspicious behavior or suspicious activity to thereby block the financial transaction and the additional account request. 
     Additionally, in a state  612 , the customer service agent  106  authorizes or declines the financial transaction based at least in part on the record evaluation and/or the transaction information. Then, in a state  614 , the customer service agent  106  can recalculate the SPD score to update the suspicious person&#39;s database  112  for the current financial transaction and/or subsequent financial transactions relating to the customer  100 . Next, in a state  616 , the customer service agent  106  can update the customer&#39;s record  200  in a manner so as to reflect aspects of the current financial transaction including record evaluation, authorization or decline of the current financial transaction, and any recalculated SPD scores. Subsequently, in an end state  616 , the agent intervention process  600  terminates. 
     Advantageously, the customer service agent  106  may physically re-assess the SPD score or verify the identity of the current customer  100  using biometric information during the agent intervention process  600 . For example, if similar biometric information is determined to exist, then the agent  106  may decline the current financial transaction due to an existing customer  100  attempting to establish an additional account or membership. In addition, if suspicious behavior or suspicious activity is triggered by an additional account request, then the customer service agent  106  may increase the SPD score of the existing customer to reflect the suspicious behavior or suspicious activity. In many cases, multiple enrollments from the same person may be blocked, and each new account request may result in an entry to the SPD  112 . In another example, the customer service agent  106  may determine that the current customer  100  already has a valid account unbeknownst to the current customer  100 , such as a husband and wife account, and, thus, informs the current customer  100  via the interactive transaction device  102 . Hence, the customer service agent  106  can readily solve problems or redirect seemingly suspicious transactions as they occur depending on the situation encountered. 
     Although the following description exemplifies one embodiment of the present teachings, it should be understood that various omissions, substitutions, and changes in the form of the detail of the apparatus, system, or method as illustrated as well as the uses thereof, may be made by those skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit of the present teachings. Consequently, the scope of the present teachings should not be limited to the disclosed embodiments, but should be defined by the appended claims.