This caution might seem like a hassle, but your identity is worth it. You should only allow your license to be scanned when required by law (e.g., dealing with police or picking up a prescription at the pharmacy). Obviously, this shouldn’t be necessary to make routine purchases or gain entry into an age-restricted event. It’s important to understand where it is appropriate to allow your license to be scanned or copied, and when it’s OK to protest.ĭepending on state laws, the merchant (or third-party system) collects a digital record of your personal information when your license is scanned. In other instances, doctor’s offices or financial services may request to make a photocopy of your driver’s license.
Retail customers often are asked for their ID to purchase or return an item and then are surprised when the cashier swipes the card instead of using it for simple verification. Your physical license is also valuable to criminals – Social Security numbers only sell for $2 on the dark web, but driver’s licenses sell for between $20 and $80 apiece. If this information falls into a thief’s hands, it can leave you susceptible to identity crime. The magnetic strip or barcode on the back is like a credit card, potentially giving anyone who swipes your license through a scanner even more information.
It’s your driver’s licenseIn most states, a driver’s license contains not just your name and address but also your birthdate and identifying characteristics like height and weight (plus a photo). Right now, in your wallet, there’s a single card that can reveal a significant amount of your personal information to an identity thief - enough to make purchases or cash checks in your name.
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