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Document Security Alliance and CSDL Host Capitol Hill Day

Updated June 13, 2013
 
On June 5, the Document Security Alliance (DSA), a working group of commercial, academic and government professionals interested in combating the epidemic of counterfeit IDs, hosted their annual "Capitol Hill Day" to draw awareness to the issue.  
   
   
  DSA Members on Capital Hill
 
CSDL Reasearch Director Max Bluestein on the DSA Panel presenting a video on the Epidemic of Counterfeit IDs. 
 
In Washington, DC, in a Senate office building, DSA brought a panel of subject matter experts from various fields and interests to speak to Congressional staff on the topic, "Counterfeit IDs, A National Security Threat".
 
Among the panelists was CSDL's Director of Research Max Bluestein, who spoke about the epidemic of counterfeit IDs being ordered on foreign websites which are flooding into the United States. He presented a video on how this not only effects minors trying to obtain alcohol underage, but also presents very real threats to national security and public safety. 
 
Other panelists included DSA President Rick Outland,  DSA Industry Board Member Dan Thaxton, ICE Forensic Lab specialist Carolyn Bayer Broring, New Jersey MVC Commissioner Ray Martinez, and Geoff Slagle of AAMVA. 
 
The video and more information about Hill Day will be posted on CSDL's website next week. In the meantime, read some of the updates from our Twitter account.

 

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.

 

Click here for the full story

Coalition for a Secure Driver’s License presents Kansas with its Document Security Excellence Award

April 10, 2013  

TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Revenue’s new, more secure driver’s license design and process garnered accolades Wednesday from the Coalition for a Secure Driver’s License.  
 

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.

 

 
Kansas Award Ceremony
 
Click for the Story or Video from WIBW Kansas
 

Massachusetts Senate to Governor Patrick: Comply with REAL ID

State Senator Tarr (Mass.gov)
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. 

 

Click here for the story

 

Click here for the letter 

 

Click here for the statement from Senator Tarr

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."

 

Click here for the article

 

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.

 

(Click here for the story)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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. 

 

 

Click Video to Play


(Click Here for the Story)