By Jonathan Russell
A new approach to direct credit fraud may result in a widespread reduction in banking fraud, according to its inventors.
The so-called 'particle approach', designed by Bayer Material Science (BMS), is capable of incorporating Makrofol ID ProteXXion polycarbonate film into all new credit, debit and security cards, the company claims.
Dirk Pophusen, head of business development in the company's films unit told europeanplasticnews.com: "This adds an extra dimension to any security card.
"The film contains unique metallic identification particles called 'OVDots', which are arranged in customised patterns to provide completely individual security features to each credit card.
Using the new technology, features such as company logos, national symbols and pictograms can be infused into individual card's security patterns, adding another dimension to the fight against direct credit fraud, the website reports.
The new technology is set to be rolled out in Germany initially, in the hopes that it will help tackle the 40 million euro (£34.1 million) lost each year to banking fraud in the country.
BMS is one of the world's largest manufacturers of polymers and high-performance plastics.
