System and method for improving integrity and authenticity of an article utilizing secure overlays

A system comprising:

• a first arrangement generating a digital representation of an identification document of a customer after an identify of the customer is verified, the first arrangement generating an cryptographic check sum as a function of the digital representation using a predetermined cryptographic algorithm, the first arrangement converting the digital representation and the cryptographic check sum into an overlay to be attached on the identification document;
• and
• a second arrangement converting the overlay into the cryptographic check sum and the digital representation, the second arrangement checking integrity of the digital representation by decrypting the cryptographic check sum using a predetermined decrypting technology, the second arrangement generating a further digital representation of the identification document, the second arrangement comparing the digital representation and the further digital representation,
• wherein, if (a) the integrity of the digital representation is not violated and (b) the digital representation is substantially similar to the further digital representation, the second arrangement generates an indication that the customer is verified.

A method comprising the step of:

• (a) verifying an identity of a customer;
• (b) reading a digital representation of an identification document of the customer from a recordable digital media;
• (c) generating an cryptographic check sum as a function of the digital representation using a predetermined cryptographic algorithm;
• and
• (d) converting the digital representation and the cryptographic check sum into an overlay to be attached to the recordable digital media.