Centralized biometric authentication

A centralized biometric system is provided for verifying an individual's identity over a communications network. The centralized biometric system includes a receiver that receives, from a remote communications system, a biometric sample from a party attempting to obtain a service using the remote communications system. The service is provided contingent on authentication of the party as the individual. The system also includes a processor that compares the biometric sample to biometric information obtained from a storage to authenticate the identity of the party as the individual. The receiver and the processor are within a centralized system in the communications network.