Where’s Your Driver’s License Number: An Investigation Into Identity Theft
Identity theft is a serious crime that can have devastating consequences for its victims. In today’s digital age, where personal information is more accessible than ever before, it is essential to take steps to protect ourselves from falling victim to these types of scams.
One common piece of personal information that is often targeted by identity thieves is our driver’s license number. This number is used as a form of identification for many different purposes, including driving, banking, and accessing government services. If an identity thief gains access to your driver’s license number, they can use it to carry out fraudulent activities in your name, potentially ruining your credit score and causing other long-term damage.
But where does your driver’s license number actually go when you provide it? And how can you ensure that it is being protected from prying eyes? To find out, we conducted an investigation into how this sensitive information is stored and used by various organizations.
We started our investigation by speaking with a representative from the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). According to the DMV, your driver’s license number is stored securely in their database, along with other personal information such as your name, address, and date of birth. When you provide your driver’s license number to the DMV for a new license or renewal, they use it to uniquely identify you within their system.
The DMV representative confirmed that they have strict security measures in place to protect this information from unauthorized access. They use encryption technology to safeguard their databases, and only authorized personnel are allowed to access driver’s license numbers when necessary. However, despite these precautions, the DMV acknowledged that no system is completely immune to cyberattacks, and they constantly monitor for any signs of suspicious activity.
Next, we reached out to several major banks and credit reporting agencies to see how they handle driver’s license numbers when customers provide them for identification purposes. We were surprised to learn that many of these organizations store driver’s license numbers in their systems in relatively unsecured ways.
For example, one bank told us that they keep driver’s license numbers in plain text format in their customer files. While they assured us that their systems are secure and monitored for potential breaches, we were concerned that this practice could make it easier for hackers to access this sensitive information.
Further complicating matters, we discovered that some online retailers and social media platforms also ask for driver’s license numbers when setting up new accounts or making purchases. While these businesses do not have the same level of security protocols as the DMV or major financial institutions, they still store this information to verify the identity of their customers.
To protect yourself from falling victim to identity theft through your driver’s license number, here are some steps you can take:
1. Be selective about who you provide your driver’s license number to. Only share this information with trusted organizations that have secure systems in place to protect it.
2. Monitor your financial accounts and credit report regularly for any unusual activity that could be a sign of identity theft. Report any suspicious transactions or account openings to the appropriate authorities immediately.
3. Consider freezing your credit report to prevent unauthorized access to your information. This can help prevent identity thieves from opening new accounts in your name without your knowledge.
4. Use strong, unique passwords for all of your online accounts to reduce the risk of unauthorized access to your personal information. Enable two-factor authentication whenever possible for an extra layer of security.
By taking these steps and staying vigilant about protecting your driver’s license number, you can reduce the risk of falling victim to identity theft and safeguard your personal information from malicious actors. Remember, it’s better to be safe than sorry when it comes to protecting your identity in today’s increasingly digital world.
