A Birmingham firm is turning science fiction into fact by pioneering a "foolproof" hi-tech solution to credit card fraud and identity theft.
Senselect is using bio-metric principles and fingerprints to confirm identities instead of signatures, passwords and PINs which are too often compromised.
"The product is now finished and in test," said John Topping, managing director of the Brindley-place firm.
"We are getting a lot of interest in it from all over the world, but particularly from Europe."
Inquiries are particularly keen from Italy, where 40 million people already use fingerprints as identification - but these are lifted by fraudsters , too.
Senselect's system uses a distinctive pattern of prints which can be backed up by further security safeguards such as unique timing sequences.
Its business breakthrough was nurtured with a £20,000 grant from Project Novus, an Aston Science Park agency set up to help small Midlands businesses apply new technology.
"It may not sound a lot of money, but it is a Godsend for a company just starting up," said Mr Topping.
Project Novus has helped 100 companies in the two years of its life and is looking to hand out another £250,000 in grants over the next 11 months.
"Companies want to diversify into new areas, particularly as a result of the loss of jobs at MG Rover," said Alan White, of Novus.
As well as grants, the agency provides a link to more than 10,000 engineers and scientists based in research and technology organisations.
