Agency hopes to thwart identity fraud

The state Division of Motor Vehicles today will begin scanning and digitizing the faces of people applying for or renewing driver's licenses, a measure officials said would help cut ID fraud and find terror suspects. The face-recognition technology that goes into use at DMV offices in the state compares facial features with digital images in the agency's database to verify the identity of each applicant, Gov. Mike Easley's office said in a statement Thursday. The images also will be matched against those on federal terrorist watch lists.

"This is another vital step in making our state a more secure place in which to live, work and travel," Easley said. "This new tool will allow us to continue our efforts to make North Carolina's [driver's] license procedures among the strongest in the nation. It is proof of our strong stand against identity fraud, the nation's fastest-growing crime."

http://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/mld/myrtlebeachonline/news/local/9806814.htm


From:
Aftermath News
Top Stories - October 8th, 2004