October 2, 2003

Fake IDs becoming a problem
across the United States

Jeremy Fletcher
digital iowa staff reporter
Drake University

DES MOINES, Iowa -- From the bars of Iowa City to a liqour store in a small town and the Des Moines airport, it's the one official document you need to do almost anything in this state.

The driver's license is the closest thing this nation has to a national identification card and is quickly becoming one of the most forged documents in America.

For many years, the issue of fake IDs primarily has been centered on illegal immigrants' usage of the driver's license to work or drive in our country and the underage teenagers's attempt to purchase alcohol. Since 9/11, fake driver's licenses have also become a large cause for concern as terrorists used them to gain access in our country.

"When you have people trying to impersonate others using fake documents, it's a cause for concern whether it is driving, purchasing liqour or switching identities," Paul Steier, an Iowa driver's license fraudulent investigator, said.

Appearig in nationwide papers was a recent story about Youssef Hmimssa, who was identified as a member of a terrorist cell in Detroit before he helped the government convict several terrorists. He explained how easily it was to obtain false documents in the United States. Hmimssa admitted that if you have the right connections, you can do anything. Steier agreed, saying, "It's not difficult to get a fake ID. The problem is getting one that is of great quality. And the better quality you want, the more it is going to cost you. Our technology is getting better and better and harder to duplicate."

A common place for fake ID's to be bought is on the Internet, but since the Internet False ID Prevention Act came into existence in March 2001, that, too, is being shut down. Options for criminals are to look into a foreign site or try to get a driver's license of low quality off of the streets.

"People also bring in fake documents to the DMV to get an actual license there," Steier said. "We're seeing several hundred cases of identity theft just within birth certificates and Social Security cards. There are no pictures or identifying characteristics on those so many times we have to have people prove who they actually are."

The seriousness is widespread. For instance, Steie said, "We'll have people trying to change their identity to hide from the police, get welfare money or just to buy alcohol."

Clubs and bars in Iowa City, Ames and Des Moines know of this problem all too well. If someone is caught using a fake driver's license at a club, ther is usually a $100 fine and the ID is supposed to be turned over to authorities. This is not always the case as many clubs will simply confiscate it and toss out the user.

Recently, a bill was signed by the California governor that would allow anyone in the state to have a driver's license. This soon-to-be-law has come under fire becasue it would give illegal immigrants the right to drive and maintain a status that could be misconceived as a citizen.

"Here in Iowa that would be opposed," Steier said. "We like to verify that you are an actual citizen of our state before you are eligible for a license. A driver's ID is looked upon as legal status."

States have already implemented prevention on licenses such as holograms and bar code information in hopes this will thwart fraud duplication in the future.