U.S. May Scan DMV Data to Catch Cheaters
To help states catch illegal immigrants, fugitives from justice and child-support scofflaws, the federal government will soon offer to scan motor vehicle records for drivers with phony Social Security numbers.
Criminals and others seeking a new identity often use false Social Security numbers to get a driver’s license or a state-issued ID card.
The phony documents can then be used to obtain welfare, health care and other public benefits as well as check-cashing and credit cards, Social Security officials said.
Starting May 8, the Social Security Administration will compare its records to motor vehicle records from states that request the service. The states will have the task of catching up with cheaters.
Critics say the plans are fraught with privacy risks, since states could give the lists to police or other agencies, or sell them to credit bureaus.
Social Security said screening motor vehicle records would help federal and state programs, including those providing medical services, child support enforcement and other types of assistance.
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