Electronic Benefits Transfer: Use of Biometrics to Deter Fraud in the Nationwide EBT Program

OSI-95-20 Published: Sep 29, 1995. Publicly Released: Sep 29, 1995.

Highlights

Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO examined options for reducing fraud in the electronic benefits transfer (EBT) environment, focusing on the use of biometrics to verify recipients' identities and reduce the potential for fraud.

Recommendations

Recommendations for Executive Action

Agency Affected	Recommendation	Status Sort descending
Department of the Treasury	The Secretary of the Treasury should develop, if feasible, a biometric verification system, such as electronic fingerprinting, for use in an EBT environment. The use of biometrics should be assessed in a limited area, such as the Southern Alliance of States, and prior to the expansion of the EBT program nationwide.	Closed – Not Implemented The Department of the Treasury's Financial Management Service has developed a long-term plan to study and explore the potential for use of biometrics in connection with the implementation of electronic benefits systems.

Full Report

Full Report (36 pages)

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Chuck Young

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Topics

Justice and Law Enforcement

Cost controlElectronic benefits transfersElectronic funds transferFingerprintsFraudIdentity verificationIntegrated automated fingerprint identification systemLossesPublic assistance programsState-administered programsWelfare benefitsWelfare recipientsBiometricsFingerprinting