Abstract: A negotiable document having enhanced security for deterring fraud includes at least one thermochromatic fingerprint image printed with thermochromatic ink, wherein said thermochromatic fingerprint image will fade when heat is transferred to the image from a live human hand. The negotiable document further includes a warning clause that the negotiable document may be fraudulent without the thermochromatic fingerprint image.

Abstract: A negotiable document includes enhanced security for deterring the fraudulent photocopying of the subject negotiable document. The present invention includes at least one true fourdrinier watermark and/or at least one artificial watermark comprising a fingerprint and a visually perceptible watermark representation for comparison with the watermark to determine the validity of the negotiable document. The visually perceptible representation is printed with thermochromatic ink. When the visually perceptible representation is rubbed with a live human hand, heat is transferred to the thermochromatic ink. The visually perceptible representation will fade and disappear as the ink is heated by the rubbing action and heat of the hand. The negotiable document further includes a warning clause notifying the user of the disappearing properties of the visually perceptible representation.

Abstract: A negotiable document includes enhanced security for deterring the fraudulent photocopying of the subject negotiable document. A first pantographic design is imprinted as the general background of the front face of a check and a second pantographic background design is imprinted in the amount line and in the signature line. The enhanced security document of the present invention further includes a muted warning phrase of a first dot size incorporated in the first pantographic design and a muted warning phrase of a second dot size incorporated in the second pantographic background design. Alternatively, it will be understood that a similar warning phrase may be generated with a different first and second size dot density or line density instead of a first dot size and a second dot size. By using a plurality of line densities, or dot densities, or dot sizes for the warning phrases, an unauthorized individual will be unable to adjust a photocopier to mask a single warning phrase.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for enhancing the security of a check or negotiable document and deterring the generation of copies of the check or negotiable document. The signature area of a document is imprinted with a pantograph background design different from a pantograph background design covering the remainder of the face of a check. A warning clause describes the color and/or background of the signature area. The endorsement area of a document is also imprinted with a pantograph background design. A warning clause describes the color and/or background of the endorsement area.