Most of us do not think of our driver’s license as particularly valuable or something that we need to protect, but there is more than one driving license scam out there that could affect you, without you even knowing about it. A driving license fraud takes place when someone uses the identification of another person to get an ID in that persons name or if they use your driving license when stopped by a law official.
Driving License Fraud Operations to Watch Out For
There are many different types of scams for you to watch out for. The most common type of driving license scam includes presenting immigration documents that are counterfeit to get a drivers license. In addition, many people also present a counterfeit birth certificate or even a social security card to obtain a driver’s license, or even using the birth certificate of another individual to obtain a driver’s license. Why is this a driving license scam? Because the people are gaining a driver’s license by using information that is not their own. A driver’s license is needed not only to drive a car but also to get a job and the result is that someone can be using your name and information and damaging your creditability, your driving record, and your ability to get a job, buy a car, or even pick up your children from school in the future!
There are a lot of different driving license scam operations out there that you should be aware of. Your information could be used on a fake ID card, or it could be your information that is given when someone is stopped at a traffic stop, which will damage your record. There are a lot of different ways in which your personal information could be used that could hurt you, and that is why you need to protect yourself in all possible ways. Many times the number on your license is taken and then used on an ID with the picture of another person, so that person is effectively using your identification while doing all things, good and bad, and all without your knowledge!
Preventing a Driving License Scam
You can help to protect your driving license scam by ensuring that your old licenses get discarded of in the proper manner. When you receive your new license you should be sure that your old one is either shredded or cut into small pieces so that the license or your information cannot be used again by someone else, this is especially important if you are receiving your new license through the mail. Another thing you can do is to purchase a copy of your driving record each year so you can make sure that no one else is using your identity when they are stopped in traffic. You can also look at your credit report and make sure that everything there is accurate, as well. Many people get the information that they use on driving license scam operations from stolen mail, so make sure you pick up your mail every day and that if you are going to be away that you stop delivery altogether for that time.
If your driver’s license has been stolen or has been compromised in anyway you need to start by reporting this fact to law enforcement. You then need to contact the department of driver’s license in your area and they will issue you not only a new license, but a new driver’s license number, which is usually the most valuable piece of information on the license as it can be used on a fake ID. The idea though is to act quickly, because the sooner you report the loss, the theft or the driving license scam, the sooner the proper authorities can be made aware of the actions and they can help to put a stop to the scam or at least stop the person who is using your information or potentially using your information in an illegal and unauthorized manner.
March 17th, 2009 at 6:19 am
is there a law or regulation that states a business of any kind cannot photocopy or scan your license for their own business records?