Fake ID bill helps security
Fake ID bill helps security
By Andrew Meehan, 4/29/13
Fake identification cards - that is, counterfeit IDs, not legitimate ones obtained through fraud - are becoming a big problem for business and police. There's a booming market for fake IDs, creating dangerous risks to public safety. For example, virtually all of our transit and domestic airline security checks depend on the integrity of driver's licenses and state-issued ID cards.
Overseas websites producing high-quality counterfeits have been on the rise in recent years. These new foreign-produced IDs closely mimic some of the physical security features of our nation's driver's licenses, such as holograms and micro printing.
The counterfeits also include matching information in the bar code on the back of the licenses, making scanning the license to verify its authenticity nearly impossible. They can be purchased for $50 to $200 (discounts are offered if you buy more than one) and are shipped to the United States hidden inside cheap novelties, shoes or games.
Coalition for a Secure Driver’s License presents Kansas with its Document Security Excellence Award
April 10, 2013
The Washington D.C. based national non-profit crime prevention educational public charity presented its Document Security Excellence Award to Revenue Secretary Nick Jordan and Director of Vehicles Donna Shelite at a ceremony with Gov. Sam Brownback.
Massachusetts Senate to Governor Patrick: Comply with REAL ID
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| State Senator Tarr (Mass.gov) |
Members of the Massachusetts State Senate delivered a letter to Governor Deval Patrick urging Massachusetts's compliance with the federal REAL ID Act. This came after the Coalition for a Secure Driver's License (CSDL) filed a Public Records Request with the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) regarding the state's low level of compliance with the federal regulations.
Early REAL ID security upgrades already curbing fraud, crime; better DHS leadership needed to achieve full benefits
On January 28th, 2013, the Coalition for a Secure Driver's License and the Heritage Foundation co-hosted a panel, entitled, "REAL ID Realities: Perspectives on the Future of the REAL ID Program." Panelists included Jennifer Cohan , the Director of the Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles, Lori Rectanus , Workforce and Income Security Assistant Director of the Government Accountability Office, and Andrew Meehan, Policy Director of the Coalition for a Secure Driver's License. A video of the panel from C-SPAN is located below.
Andrew Meehan stated, "the REAL ID Act seeks to raise the motor vehicle agencies to a minimum standard. Many states have decided to move beyond that standard while others have remained satisfied with the status quo. For the goal of secure identity to be met, all jurisdictions must participate."
From Underage Drinkers to Criminals: Examining the World of Fake IDs
by Matthew Rudow, Highbrow Magazine
Monday, November 19, 2012
Millions of college students returned to campus this fall, where they have been experiencing the joys and hassles of modern college life. For many, this goes beyond complaining about dormitory food and spending endless house in the library, and includes illegal underage drinking. Many of these students utilize little-noticed or discussed websites that provide easy access to fake driver’s licenses. These websites appear to be aimed at college kids out for a good time, but in fact they can provide an easy means for criminals to obtain sophisticated fake identification through the U.S. mail. These websites haven’t received much attention from the media, perhaps due to the pervasive sense that underage drinking and flouting of the law are simply a part of the college experience. However, a small group of experts are sounding the alarm on these websites and the threat from a serious criminal element out to exploit them, and are calling for coordinated action to combat a major threat to national security.
GAO: Counterfeit IDs Present Real Risks
WASHINGTON, Sept. 24, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire
On Friday, September 21, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) released a report, Driver's License Security - Federal Leadership Needed to Address Remaining Vulnerabilities (the report can be found here, http://gao.gov/products/GAO-12-893). GAO demonstrated that counterfeit documents can still be used to easily obtain valid driver's licenses and state issued identification cards under fictitious identities, and recommended that the Department of Homeland Security exert leadership toward correcting the problem.
Brian Zimmer, President of the Coalition for a Secure Driver's License, stated, "The GAO replicated the same techniques used by the 9/11 terrorists to get more than 30 driver's license and IDs from state licensing agencies. To obtain a driver's license with your photo but with someone else's biographic information or with fictitious information, terrorists need only travel to a state where identification standards are low and service is fast. Terrorists planning future attacks on Americans will be delighted by GAO's findings, but Congress should be very concerned."
(Click here for the full story)
Fake ID Website Shut Down After Senators Take Action
WASHINGTON, D.C. (WUSA) - A major development to report tonight on a story we first brought you in May.
The China-based website ID Chief, arguably the most popular fake ID mill among teenagers who want to buy alcohol illegally, has now been shut down. Four United States Senators - Charles Grassley (R-Ia.), Tom Harkin (D-Ia.), Mark Kirk (R-Ill.) and Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) - sent this letter to the Chinese Ambassador asking that China take action against ID Chief and any other companies that produce fake IDs. Today, the website is out of business.
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