AVIS is boosting security at Stansted by asking customers to leave
their thumbprint when hiring a vehicle. As part of a major security
drive, the car rental organisation is working with local police and it
competitors at the airport in a scheme to help prevent fraudulent
rentals occurring at the airport. The scheme requires all customers
to leave a thumbprint with their rental agreement when collecting their
car. Critics of the system claim it is an invasion of privacy,
however Avis promises not to store the print permanently and will not
use it in any way unless a crime is perpetrated. "Customers' reaction
to the trial at Stansted will enable us to look into standardising this
practice across all our rental stations. It is currently working fine
and has been generally well received by our customers," said Stuart
Gent, managing director of Avis UK.
http://www.avis.co.uk