It is important to keep in mind that every country requires different documentation that proves someone's identification (ID). In many countries such as Greece and Spain a national ID card is compulsory. Citizens are expected to have these cards on them at all times. However, in other countries ID cards are not required. Police and officials in these countries often use another system to identify people, such as asking for two pieces of ID.
Types of ID
Passport
Government-issued Photo ID card
Driving licence/Driver's license
Birth certificate
Permanent residence card
Social security card
Medical/Health card
Voter registration card
Information/security items that may appear on documentation
bar code
a series of thick and thin black lines that holds computerized information
Date of birth (DOB)
date when the ID holder was born:
day/month/year: 23/05/1970 (23rd May 1970)
month/day/year: 05/23/1970 (23rd May 1970)
year/month/day: 1970/05/23 (23rd May 1970)
Date of Issue
date when documentation was created
Eye colour
blue, brown, green, black, grey
Fingerprint
markings of a person's thumb or finger tip
Height
how tall a person is in centimetres or feet and inches
Hologram
a laser photograph which makes a picture or image look life-like
Magnetic stripe
a long black stripe found on the back of a card that can be swiped into a computer for information
Maiden name
a woman's surname before marriage
Marital status
single, married, divorced (no longer married), separated, common law wife, common law husband
Serial number or PIN (Personal Identification Number)
number that can be entered into government systems to find information about a person
Sex
M (male), F (female)
Signature
hand-written name of ID holder
Valid until/expiry date
the last date when an ID document can be used
Reading Exercise: Identity Fraud
Read the vocabulary and then try to fill in the blanks.
ID fraud
lying about one's identity
counterfeit
fake, not real
illegal immigrants
people who do not have government permission to live or work in a country
crack down on
to put a real stop to
authentic
real, true
identity theft
stealing someone else's identity for personal use (or sale)
underground
not publicly known, usually illegal
getting away with
not getting caught by police or the authorities
controversy
disagreement surrounding an issue
Today,
is a major concern for police around the world. Many young people use
ID to access adult venues, such as concerts and nightclubs. As police find new ways to
fake ID (e.g. searching the Internet for
companies), new technology is created to help make fraudulent ID look
. ID cards with security measures, such as magnetic strips and barcodes, help to prevent people from
fake ID. However, an even greater problem for police is the concern of
. Some thieves make a profession out of stealing wallets, purses, or personal mail in order to sell new identities to criminals or
. There is great
over whether or not all countries should opt for national ID cards. Some people do not think that the police should have access to such personal information, while others think it would help to prevent crime and illegal immigration.
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Today, ID fraud is a major concern for police around the world. Many young people use counterfeit ID to access adult venues, such as concerts and nightclubs. As police find new ways to crack down on fake ID (e.g. searching the Internet for underground companies), new technology is created to help make fraudulent ID look authentic. ID cards with security measures, such as magnetic strips and barcodes, help to prevent people from getting away with fake ID. However, an even greater problem for police is the concern of identity theft. Some thieves make a profession out of stealing wallets, purses, or personal mail in order to sell new identities to criminals or illegal immigrants. There is great controversy over whether or not all countries should opt for national ID cards. Some people do not think that the police should have access to such personal information, while others think it would help to prevent crime and illegal immigration.
