Fact of the Week: 11/8/07

Did you know . . .

As the ABC News affiliate in Washington, D.C. recently reported, fraudulent identity documents – including sophisticated Social Security Cards, Green Cards and Drivers’ Licenses – are readily available almost anywhere.  According to the WJLA News report:

On any given day you see them walking up and down Columbia Road in Adams Morgan. As soon as you make eye contact with them - they try to offer you freedom as best as they can.

Seller: "Green card and security card?"

Buyer: "Yes. What will that cost me?"

Seller: "The green card and social security will cost you $140. The drivers license alone will cost you $120."

After jotting down a fake name, using our subject's photo...the card sharks put it all together in a private office. $200 and a couple of hours later...our subject picks up his documents...documents so real looking it's almost impossible to detect anything is suspicious...identical seals, a new social security number and even affirmation that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has given the O.K.

It’s easy to get a good fake ID that can legitimately fool employers.  And the Federal employment verification system “Basic Pilot” cannot detect fraud, which means employers must fend for themselves when determining if a prospective employee is authorized to work in the U.S.  What’s the point of a system if it doesn’t work?