Patent ID: 7257246

Claim:
A system for facilitating a check-cashing transaction, the system comprising: a. a check-cashing apparatus comprising: i. one or more input devices for receiving check data and identification data from a user; ii. a check scanner for capturing an image of a check presented by the user, the image comprising one or more data fields; b. a host system remotely-located from and in communication with the check-cashing apparatus, the host system comprising one or more processors configured to: i. receive the check data, identification data, and check image; ii. authenticate the check data by: 1. converting one or more of the data fields of the check image into a format capable of being processed; and 2. comparing the converted data fields to the check data input by the user; iii. determine automatically whether to approve the check by applying one or more risk assessment guidelines using the identification data and check data; and iv. upon approval of the check, provide a signal to the check-cashing apparatus to dispense cash.