Fingerprint security on your smartphone is vulnerable to a hack attack

Smartphone Fingerprint Security

Smartphone fingerprint security is essential to keep your personal information safe. We rely on our smartphones every day. Storing your personal information and getting thru daily tasks with it. Most people use it for mostly social media and taking pictures. In the end our smartphone knows a lot about who we are. Safeguarding our private information should be a top priority.

Especially for smartphones, biometric security using fingerprint scanning is considered close to foolproof as security systems go.

However, recent reports surfaced pointing to smartphone and data vulnerability brought on by fingerprint security.

Fingerprint security hacked !

The Verge reports that with the help of a dental mold cast or play-dough fingerprint may be bypassed using faked prints.

Granted that the original print has to be available for cast-making for this fingerprint security bypass to work.

The fact, however, remains that smartphone biometric security at its current state can be fooled.

The tragedy is that the test conducted by The Verge reportedly used a simple smartphone biometric security hack method on iPhone 6 and Galaxy S6 Edge.

Use of 3D printing and similar technology on stored print images may increase accuracy rate for this biometric security hack.

The fact that most smartphone users have had their fingerprints stored at one point or another in their lives, so how much privacy can biometric security really offer?

Stolen prints are harder to manage concerning smartphone biometric security. Whereas passwords and PINs may be changed, fingerprints cannot.

MR Fingerprints Provides Live Scan Services to IHSS Applicants

Essential Guide for In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) Providers: Understanding Live Scan Fingerprinting

Becoming an In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) provider is a rewarding commitment to assisting individuals who need support to remain safely in their own homes. The IHSS Program, administered by the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) and individual counties, provides crucial services to eligible aged, blind, and disabled Californians. As an IHSS provider, you play a vital role in ensuring the well-being and independence of your clients. Due to the sensitive nature of this work, ensuring the safety and trustworthiness of all providers is paramount. This is why a critical step in the enrollment process involves a thorough criminal background check, facilitated by Live Scan fingerprinting.

Why Live Scan Fingerprinting is Mandatory for IHSS Providers

As of November 1, 2009, all California In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) providers are required to undergo Live Scan Fingerprinting. This mandate was a significant step taken by the State of California, primarily designed to prevent fraud and enhance the safety of IHSS recipients. The program serves some of California’s most vulnerable residents, making it essential to ensure that all caregivers meet stringent safety standards.

These new regulations require individuals who are either new to the IHSS program or existing providers taking on a new client to complete a comprehensive enrollment process. This includes submitting an enrollment form, undergoing a criminal background check, and participating in an orientation session before they can receive payment from the State. The overarching goal is to deter and significantly reduce fraudulent activities within the IHSS system, thereby protecting both the recipients and the integrity of the program.

The IHSS Provider Enrollment Process: A Step-by-Step Guide

Navigating the enrollment process to become an approved IHSS provider involves several key stages. It’s crucial to follow these steps carefully to ensure a smooth and timely approval.

Step 1: Complete the IHSS Program Provider Enrollment Form (SOC 426)

Your journey begins with the official IHSS Program Provider Enrollment Form, known as SOC 426. This form collects essential information about you as a prospective provider. It’s vital to complete this form accurately and thoroughly. Once completed, you must return it in person to your local county IHSS Office or IHSS Public Authority. This initial step is critical as it formally initiates your application within the county system. If you have already completed this step, you should contact your specific county office to obtain the correct Live Scan Request Form tailored for your county.

Step 2: Receive Instructions for Fingerprinting and Background Check

After submitting your SOC 426 form, the county IHSS Office or Public Authority will provide you with detailed instructions on how to proceed with your fingerprinting. This step is non-negotiable, as it initiates the criminal background check conducted by the California Department of Justice (DOJ) and potentially the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). It is imperative that you wait for these instructions from the county before attempting to get fingerprinted. Proceeding without the correct Live Scan Request Form from your county can lead to delays and additional costs, as the fingerprints may not be correctly linked to your IHSS application.

Step 3: Complete Your Live Scan Fingerprinting Background Check

Once you have received your official Live Scan Request Form from the county, you are ready to complete the fingerprinting process. This is where professional Live Scan service providers like MR Fingerprints come in. When you visit a Live Scan facility, you will need to bring two essential items:

An unexpired, valid government-issued identification (e.g., driver’s license, state ID card, passport).
Your Live Scan Request Form, which is exclusively provided by your IHSS Office. This form contains the necessary “ORI” (Originating Agency Identifier) and “Agency Name” codes that direct your background check results to the correct agency.

At MR Fingerprints, we streamline this process for your convenience. You can call us to schedule an appointment, or for added flexibility, we offer Mobile Services where we can come to your location, particularly beneficial for groups or those with mobility challenges in the Los Angeles area.

Understanding Live Scan Fees for IHSS Providers

State law mandates that IHSS provider applicants are responsible for covering the costs associated with fingerprinting and the subsequent criminal background check. These fees typically consist of two components:

Rolling Fee: This is the fee charged by the Live Scan service provider (like MR Fingerprints) for digitally capturing and transmitting your fingerprints.
Government Fees: These are the fees charged by the California Department of Justice (DOJ) and, if applicable, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for processing your background check.

The total cost can vary depending on where you choose to get fingerprinted and the specific requirements of your background check. Generally, costs for IHSS Live Scan services range from approximately $40 to $90. It’s advisable to inquire about the total fees upfront when selecting a Live Scan provider.

Why Choose MR Fingerprints for Your IHSS Live Scan?

MR Fingerprints is a trusted business specializing in digitally scanned fingerprinting (Live Scan) services, conveniently located in the Los Angeles County and downtown LA area. We understand the importance of accuracy, speed, and professionalism when it comes to your IHSS application.

Expertise: Our technicians are highly trained and experienced in Live Scan procedures, ensuring your fingerprints are captured correctly the first time.
Efficiency: We utilize state-of-the-art equipment to provide quick and efficient service, minimizing your wait time.
Convenience: With our central location and flexible appointment scheduling, including our popular Mobile Services, we make the fingerprinting process as easy as possible for you.
Accuracy: We meticulously review all forms and captured prints to reduce the likelihood of rejections, helping you avoid delays in your IHSS approval.

We are committed to supporting prospective IHSS providers through this essential step, ensuring a smooth and compliant background check process.

Ready to Complete Your IHSS Live Scan?

Schedule your appointment with MR Fingerprints today for fast, reliable, and professional service.

Or call us to learn more about our mobile services. Book Your Appointment Now

Additional Resources and Information

For more comprehensive information regarding the IHSS program and provider requirements, please refer to official resources from the California Department of Social Services (CDSS).

Please refer to this link for more information: CDSS IHSS Provider Information (SOC 847)

We do Covered California Live Scans

Covered California Live Scans

All employees & volunteers with Covered California will be required to take their Live Scan Fingerprinting.

What is Live Scan?

Live Scan is an inkless fingerprinting process that electronically transmits fingerprint records to the California Department of Justice in a matter of seconds.
Live Scan technology replaces the process of recording fingerprints using messy ink, and shortens the process of background clearances to a matter of days instead of weeks or months.
Prints submitted through the Live Scan process allows the DOJ to coordinate any additional processing that is necessary such as forwarding the prints to the FBI.

How does the process work?

A Trained and Certified Technician will scan your fingerprints using a Live Scan machine.
The electronic fingerprinting session takes five to ten minutes and your prints are immediately sent via electronic transmission to the appropriate FBI-Certified channeling agencies for background processing.

What if I have already been Live Scanned or fingerprinted for another organization?

The California Department of Justice (DOJ) does not typically allow for the sharing of background information between organizations.
Each organization typically must request background information via Live Scan using their individual DOJ issued vendor number.

What do I need to bring?

To be Live Scan fingerprinted you will need to provide a completed Request for Live Scan form for your specific need and a current valid photo ID.
Examples of acceptable identification are:

California Driver’s License
California DMV identification Card
Valid out-of-state Driver’s License
Military ID
Passport
Resident Alien Card
Immigration Card
Green Card

How long will it take for my results?

You, your employer, or organization should receive your Live Scan Results within 7 to 10 days. MR Fingerprints is not responsible for the result of your Live Scan submission.
Therefore please allow a minimum of seven days before making a status inquiry. Applicants should check first with the agency that requested the background review since the Department of Justice sends results directly to the applicant agency.

We offer fast and 100% accurate live scan services, both Mobile Live Scan and at our downtown LA office location. MR Fingerprints is Certified by California Department of Justice (DOJ) and by the Federal bureau of Investigation (FBI).

FORMS:

State Employ Only

Plan Based Enrollers Only

CalHeers Only

WE CAN NOW DO YOUR COVERED CALIFORNIA LIVE SCAN
FINGERPRINTING BACKGROUND CHECKS. PLEASE CALL US TO SET
UP AN APPOINTMENT TODAY.

Category: Fingerprinting