SeaWorld wanted my fingerprints

[Medic624]

The family and I went to S.A. SeaWorld this past weekend and bought a one year pass.
When we got to the ticket takers they asked me and my family to provide our fingerprints to be associated with the passes. I said, "well, Im not going to give SeaWorld my fingerprints just so you can make sure someone else isn't using my card for the next year." The gate worker replied, "Well, its just a 5 point reference used to identify you and your account." I replied, "Well, isn't a fingerprint system based off of five point identification?" After some discussion he admitted it was okay to use my Texas Drivers License as I.D.

I dont like giving out my phone number/zip code to Target let alone my fingerprints...

Am I being unreasonable?

Edited... Uh, NOT ... CHL ... Drivers License... Oooooops

[Pug]

Unreasonable? I think not. At a time when the fastest growing crime is identity theft (been there, done that) giving your finger print to an organization that employs primarily part-time staff under the age of thirty and on occasion uses said staff for (big) fish bait and then defends it it just nuts!

[dozerboy]

I guess I have to say yes since I did give them my finger prints for a free year pass I got in Socal a while back. I don't think you where out of line and if I where able to do it all over I wouldn't give them mine again. It was a real PITA anyways since I had a hard time using the stupid thing on my return trips.

[Skaven]

There has been a big issue with sea world and sixflags loosing business because people pass around their season passes. They are just cracking down. BTW for anyone who trys to pass off a season pass to a friend, they will actually call the cops, criminal trespass you, and actually go after you civilly for the loss. I had a not to bright friend that attempted to do this, she owes the season pass price, plus lawyers fees, and is banned from six flags fiesta Texas until it is paid. (or risk arrest from criminal trespass.)

[The Mad Moderate]

I can't blame a business for trying to protect its bottom line, as far as I remember it their system only links the print to the number on the card not the name. Just like everything with private business if you don't like it don't go.

[Medic624]

I can't blame a business for trying to protect its bottom line, as far as I remember it their system only links the print to the number on the card not the name. Just like everything with private business if you don't like it don't go.

Im not trying to be rude but...Who is going to give me a guarantee they can only associate it with the number that is well... associated with my name???

And, where do they keep my fingerprint that is not allegedly associated with my name? Can they guarantee it is not going to be somehow compromised? Can someone use it for anything? Who knows but why have it when they can just as well look at my Government issued ID to ensure the person using the pass is the person who paid for it.

As a side note: not that i would ever give it to be used by someone else but...what the heck do they care WHO uses it? It's paid for and who ever enters the park is going to spend money in the park. As it is they're not getting anymore for admission?

I just don't think a company that can, and did, use other means to identify me for a total of $70 needs to use or have my fingerprint in a random data base that may or may not be secure.

Call it a personal preference ...

[tallmike]

I don't mind giving them my finger print (its 1 finger) when I visit. I guess I don't see any danger with it. I would be far more worried about one of their employees using my CC number than I would about someone using my fingerprint.

What the heck are they going to do with a fingerprint anyway?

Yea, I think you are being unreasonable. I know folks like to scream about "privacy" and "security" but the risk from a single fingerprint scan is just about 0. Show me a time it has been used for ID theft? All of the major parks use this system, so there has certainly been enough time for it to be abused.

Do you use credit or debit cards? Don't you think thats much more risky in terms of ID theft?

[VMI77]

The family and I went to S.A. SeaWorld this past weekend and bought a one year pass.
When we got to the ticket takers they asked me and my family to provide our fingerprints to be associated with the passes. I said, "well, Im not going to give SeaWorld my fingerprints just so you can make sure someone else isn't using my card for the next year." The gate worker replied, "Well, its just a 5 point reference used to identify you and your account." I replied, "Well, isn't a fingerprint system based off of five point identification?" After some discussion he admitted it was okay to use my Texas Drivers License as I.D.

I dont like giving out my phone number/zip code to Target let alone my fingerprints...

Am I being unreasonable?

Edited... Uh, NOT ... CHL ... Drivers License... Oooooops

ID theft is probably the biggest risk, but I've read of cases where finger prints have been used to frame people in crimes. For instance, you can make a copy of a print, lift it with a piece of tape, and then deposit the print on various surfaces from the tape.

[Bulldog1911]

I don't think you were unreasonable, however, i agree with mike that I don't think you have much of a risk there. I just made the trip to Disney World a couple weeks ago, and they do the same thing. You have your card that you scan at each entry to the parks. Upon your first entry they scan your card and ask you to place one finger(of your choice) to scan. From that point on, you scan your card whenever you enter and use that same finger to identify yourself at each entry.

Do I want to give away my prints? of coarse not. But the other option is to show them my I.D. with my license number on it?!?!? If you're truly worried about ID theft, I think this is much more a risk than a pinky finger print. A good thief can memorize that number in a couple seconds.

That's my .02, but it's your prerogative.

[Bulldog1911]

Also, as far as the framing for crimes...I'm no CSI guy, but I don't think they could do it with this type of system. I could definitely be wrong here, so if someone knows please chime in.

[VMI77]

Also, as far as the framing for crimes...I'm no CSI guy, but I don't think they could do it with this type of system. I could definitely be wrong here, so if someone knows please chime in.

I don't know how their system works --maybe not if it's all electronic and there is no way an employee can display or print out anything. However, if there is any way to view the print, it can be duplicated.

[Bulldog1911]

Also, as far as the framing for crimes...I'm no CSI guy, but I don't think they could do it with this type of system. I could definitely be wrong here, so if someone knows please chime in.

I don't know how their system works --maybe not if it's all electronic and there is no way an employee can display or print out anything. However, if there is any way to view the print, it can be duplicated.

Right, but I think they just do a 5-point check and don't have the actually print, but once again, not sure.

[Keith B]

Here is information on the Disney Park system http://www.allears.net/pl/fingerscan.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;, how it is used and what it does.

[VMI77]

Also, as far as the framing for crimes...I'm no CSI guy, but I don't think they could do it with this type of system. I could definitely be wrong here, so if someone knows please chime in.

I don't know how their system works --maybe not if it's all electronic and there is no way an employee can display or print out anything. However, if there is any way to view the print, it can be duplicated.

Right, but I think they just do a 5-point check and don't have the actually print, but once again, not sure.

BTW, Google "fingerprint forgery" if you're interested....people have been doing it since about 1907 (and the rubber stamp technique used back then is still a method in use today).

[Bulldog1911]

Thanks Keith,

The single finger scanners scan one fingertip for its fingerprint information but does not store the entire fingerprint image, but only numerical information about certain points.