Reader's Forum: July 14, 2009

An important strategy to fight ID theft

There are over five million Hoosiers with driver’s licenses or identification cards issued by the Bureau of Motor Vehicles. These credentials have become the most widely used proof of identity for boarding an airplane, cashing a check and many other transactions where a “government-issued photo ID” is now required.

Last week I traveled around the state to announce some significant changes in the way that the BMV issues driver’s licenses, identification cards and permits. These new procedures that go into effect on Jan. 1, 2010, are important ways that further improve the security of our credentials and prevent identity theft and fraud.

Identity theft and fraud are very real issues that impact thousands of people each day and even the 9/11 Commission stated that “all but one of the 9/11 hijackers acquired some form of U.S. identification document, some by fraud.” The Commission noted that these fraudulent IDs assisted the hijackers in boarding commercial flights, renting cars and other “necessary” activities.

Federal agencies report that ID theft/fraud is the fastest growing crime in the U.S. with some statistics showing that a form of this crime occurs every two seconds — and increasingly government-issued documents like our driver’s licenses are the targets. BMV’s own facial recognition technology that we started using last year has helped us find people like David Grice who had six Indiana ID cards with different names and the same picture. We are investigating an average of six cases per day of potential fraud based on the photo scanning.

The BMV must use all means available to guarantee that the person identified on the driver’s license or ID card is who they say they are and also that someone else has not stolen the identity from someone else. By requiring identity documentation and by allowing ample time to review and verify data through the central issuance process, we will take major new strides toward stronger security.

We encourage those drivers who need to renew their licenses in 2010 to review the document requirements on the myBMV.IN.gov Web site and be prepared when they visit the license branch. Given the high stakes of identity theft and fraud, I am sure that Hoosiers will understand the need for additional documents when they renew or apply for a driver’s license or ID card or waiting a few days to get their permanent licenses or cards in the mail.

— Andy Miller, commissioner

Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles



Combined forces make event success

On Friday, June 19, and Saturday, June 20, the West Vigo Lady Vikings and Lady Sycamores of Indiana State hosted a high school girls basketball Shootout at Indiana State. This year, 34 teams competed and traveled from as far as Ohio, Illinois and all areas of Indiana. Hundreds of players, coaches, fans and parents walked through the doors of the ISU arena to see some great high school girls basketball.

As coaching staffs, we would like to thank the following: Pacesetter Sports for their sponsoring of the T-shirts that each player and coach received, Mr. Mike Stoffers for his tireless effort to make sure all 80 games were filled with two licensed officials (all were if you include Pitts, Hopper and Nicosin!) and to the officials for doing a great job. To the West Vigo parents, both coaching staffs and Indiana State players who gave up their own time to fill in spots working the concession stands, running errands and working the clock.

Also, we would like to thank Darla Hopper and Dave Patterson of the Terre Haute Convention and Visitors Bureau and Chamber of Commerce for their donation and delivery of lunches on Saturday for coaches, referees and workers.

Last, but not least, we want to thank all teams who participated. Without the teams, there is no Shootout!

Again, thank you to everyone who helped participated and worked. We could not have done it without you.

— Mel Boeglin, Jim Wiedie, ISU Women’s Basketball

— Ryan Easton, Lady Viking Basketball



No bad deed will go unsettled

This letter is to Paula who had several items stolen from her yard.

I’m sorry for your loss and inconvenience. My family also recently lost thousands of dollars to theft, so I do know what it is like and how angry it can make you.

Through all the anger, remember, crime does not pay. It may seem to pay well at times in this life. Believe me, in the big scheme of things, we all must answer to someone bigger than ourselves when all is said and done. There will be no deed left unpaid.

As you put it, “just for my own venting”, the time is coming when all debts will be paid. Keep being a good citizen. Your kids have a good mom.

— Jean A. Jenkins, Brazil

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