[David M]

The fingerprint probably acts as more of a deterrent than anything else. Obviously if someone wants to commit fraud but has never been fingerprinted, then fingerprinting will have no effect. But if I were considering committing a crime and someone wanted to take my fingerprints beforehand...then would I go ahead and do the crime? It would be pretty stupid to go ahead with the crime.

Come on....how many in here have never been fingerprinted? I am willing to bet it is a small minority. I had to get fingerprinted for my Merchant Mariners license. Worrying about someone getting your prints is like worrying about your face going on your drivers license. In fact, in CA you have to provide a finger print to get your license renewed. Big deal. The state and federal government and corporations, all with large databases, know a lot more about us than most people imagine....or have access to that information by paying for it. If you look around the internet anyone can purchase information on anyone else. We are not anonymous at all. Is this legal?...Yes. Is this ethical?...No. But it is a fact.

Don't think your bank could not purchase a copy of your fingerprints or any other information about you if if they wanted that information.