Chase, John wrote:
[...]
You're missing the point about "identity theft":
Say, e.g., that "Joe Schmuck" has established for himself a reputation for
[...]
In contrast, let's say that "Ron Hawkins" is the diametrical opposite of
[...]
That ID number is linked to the name, address, birthdate, place of birth,
and other vital statistics about "Ron Hawkins", is it not? And the
appearance of the physical ID card, passport, etc. on which he relies is
"well-known", is it not? And technology available even to schoolchildren is
sufficiently sophisticated to reproduce that "well-known" ID card faithfully
enough to convince even the "above-average person" of the validity of the
reproduction, is it not?
And here we have error in the logic: It is absolutely NOT easy to
counterfeit the documents!
I is possible (and easy) to prepare bill for trash or electricity or
laundry, but fake passport is not.
The same apply to driving licenses (in Europe) and many other photo-id's.
BTW: Why don't the "schoolchildren equipped with the sophisticated
technology" counterfeit US dollar notes ? It is much easier to
reproduce, there is not central registry to confirm its authentity.
OK, I know it happens, but not so common and easy.
BTW2: I saw people's business cards with a NIP - Polish equivalent to
social security number. Imprudence ? Rather no risk.
--
Radoslaw Skorupka
Lodz, Poland
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