ID design more challenging than ever
Many readers will be familiar with the story of American teenager Frank Abagnale.
Famously played by Leonardo DiCaprio in the 2002 film Catch Me If You Can, back in the sixties, Frank successfully stole numerous identities and millions of dollars, using nothing more sophisticated than doctored licenses and fake checks.
The days of such low-tech deception are long gone.
Unfortunately, for government institutions, the challenges posed by Identity fraud and forgery are now more sophisticated and much more severe than ever.
Why is that?
First, a technology that is initially sophisticated and exclusive can become mainstream within a few years.
As a result, counterfeiters can get their hands on high-resolution printing equipment and some basic security inks by merely ordering them over the Internet.
There's more and, yes, we know the feeling.
Fraudsters' imagination and determination appear limitless.
ID protection is, therefore, continually evolving as public authorities currently face threats that include:
- simulating optical variable devices (OVD),
- grinding to access the core of a document,
- falsification by overprint,
- high quality "intaglio printing" look-alike in fake passports,
- adding a laser-engraved personalization.
Episode 1: Tampering and transparent elements
This article looks at how the latest generation of "Frank Abagnale's" attempts to change the data on existing identity documents.
But we'll also show that if documents such as drivers' licenses and ID cards are manufactured securely, this type of attack will visibly change their structure.
We'll also explain how resistance can be further enhanced by using transparent security features that run through the entire structure of the document.
But let's start with a quick catch-up.
What is tampering?
Tampering with security documents involves the intentional change of personalized data. Fraudsters typically find this a more comfortable option than preparing a fake ID document from scratch or getting hold of a genuine blank document.
Methods typically used in tampering are:
- scratching
- dissolving
- cutting
- opening using heat, solvents, and tools
- adding a foil on top of the card with the impostor's data
A solid, mono-block document with protected edges and built-in security features represents a robust ID design and an efficient fraud protection weapon for fighting such threats.
Furthermore, a document incorporating good tamper evidence reveals any attempt to alter the data. Changes may uncover in the card thickness and edges and the integrity of the surface, gloss, and color shades.
A document with good tamper evidence will reveal any attempt to alter ID data.
Best ID protection: Polycarbonate
Introduced over thirty years ago, polycarbonate is an increasingly popular choice for ID documents in many countries worldwide. That's because it significantly enhances the ID document's level of resistance to forgery.
What makes polycarbonate so unique?
What sets it apart from other materials is the non-delaminable property of a full polycarbonate ID card.
When used in pure form, laminated under heat and pressure without adhesives, and not mixed with other plastics, the different layers of polycarbonate that make up the identity document fuse together to form a solid monolithic structure.
Guess what… it's the same material used to make bulletproof glass.
And you can hear the difference: polycarbonate cards are so rigid they sound like a compact disc when dropped.
So what's the real story here?
It is impossible to separate the layers of polycarbonate when fused.
This feature is one reason why polycarbonate is so secure: the intertwined layers of plastic make it virtually impossible to swap document information or photos without destroying the document and rendering it useless.
The layered structure is also ideal for deploying security features that can be safely located and protected within a genuine polycarbonate ID.
Take it from us. Polycarbonate is more secure.
How to enhance ID security? Solutions to tampering
Some of the most effective solutions to alteration can be found in security features that go through the entire structure or an integral part of the document.
They make it easy to detect unauthorized access, change, and alteration of the protected ID.
A widely used element to prevent the surface from being tampered with is positive or negative embossing in polycarbonate cards. This feature can be in the form of lenses, fine lines, and micro text, as well as tactile personalization.
See-through elements provide another handy tool, commonly referred to as "windows".
Let's see why these robust built-in features have an essential role to play and look at some examples.
3-5 seconds to check an ID
In situations where identification is checked, the time available for the document's inspection is typically no longer than 3-5 seconds.
Level 1 security features, which are those visible to the naked eye, are therefore precious for ID fraud detection.
Crucially, they can be used to guarantee the authenticity of personalized data's document and integrity - instantly and without special tools.
Transparent and semi-transparent elements fall into this category and are being deployed ever more widely.
From banknotes…
The deployment of window features in security printed products was first seen in polymer banknotes.
Polymer banknotes made from biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP) have been in use since the 1980s. Yet, the number of countries choosing the material as the basis of their currency is still increasing.
Nowadays, window security features also exist in paper banknotes; such materials are Optiks™ by De La Rue and varifeye® from Louisenthal.
Here's a good example:
The £5 banknote introduced by the Bank of England in September 2016 illustrates perfectly the power of polymer. The new £10 polymer note was introduced on 14 September 2017.
In February 2020, the £20 note was phased out and replaced by a polymer note featuring a portrait of artist J. M. W. Turner.
This new £20 note has many security features. They include two see-through windows.
Earlier, Ontario unveiled new polymer birth certificates designed to be more secure and resistant to damage, fading, and moisture.
…to ID security (and passport)
Beyond banknotes, the window feature has also spread into laminated identity documents.
Initially, this was a simple see-through element.
Three significant benefits can explain the strong performance of the window feature in resisting fraud and forgery:
- It is immediately recognized by the human eye and intuitively understood, as we can see in the example of Thales' Window.
- The window is fully integrated into the card structure, joining the card's front and reverse sides together.
- Tampering with personalized data in a window unavoidably leaves the evidence in the form of scratches, seams, color changes, or altered thickness.
The window feature offers a range of both standard and special functions.
A clear opening that is virtually impossible to delaminate or fake.
The most basic function is evident.
But the real potential of a window lies in its versatility. When combined with other security features, interesting special functions are composed. These include:
- lenses
- decoder
- metalized layers
- various types of security printing and personalization of the window feature can be performed using laser engraving and complemented with surface positive or negative embossing on the same surface, making the full use of strong tactile effects.
Besides, a personalized photo can be created as a positive or negative image and as either a full-size or smaller ghost image.
A window can also be used for self-authentication purposes (for example, the Swedish passport that implements a decoder lens).
The window can be created on the data page in passports using polycarbonate.
For instance, the new British passport launched in 2020 integrates such a feature.
But fraudsters are getting better and fake documents with simple windows have been seen.
So, how to gain trust to windows again?
A further enhancement of the window feature for your ID design
Window Lock is a new security concept. It is designed to protect the holder's portrait against any subsequent change through an additional laser personalized portrait.
Developed in Switzerland, the technology is based on a sophisticated laser ablation personalization process on a metallic foil integrated into a transparent window.
A ghost image is personalized into the metallic layer. Simultaneous manipulation of the card holder's portrait and ghost image after issuance of the document will leave visible traces.
If you're asking yourself how to slash ID fraud and therefore curb ID theft, Thales' Window Lock can be a great security feature on the Macau resident identity card.
It implements a "negative" personalization process where the light-colored is personalized by metal ablation.
Hence, fraudulent manipulation of the cardholder portrait can be easily detected.
Window Lock presents a highly innovative security concept that is easy to understand and verify. As a result, it further increases the security level of travel and identity documents.
Taking the window even one step further
Why not to make it even more challenging for fraudsters? Let’s take three established technologies and combine into something unique.
First, we take a window with secondary photo.
Then we add a decoder lens.
Finally, we personalize a ghost image with hidden data.
And voilà – we get a new generation of animated window feature – RevealPlus. Tilting the card reveals hidden data, looking like it rolls from the upper left corner to the downright corner.
It is easy to understand and verify but really a nightmare for fraudsters, as it is virtually impossible to tamper or counterfeit.
So what's the future of the window feature?
Because there are several manufacturing technologies for windows, there are several different possibilities for developing this feature in the years ahead.
Furthermore, a window feature is not limited to just one card material or any specific card structure. Multiple options are available regarding:
- the shape
- the location on the cardor datapage
- the size of the window
- the number of windows in the document
- creation of 3D effects in the window
Translucent PC presents a new generation of window security features that are easy to understand and verify, resulting in further increased security level of travel and identity documents.
And that's not all.
Transparent elements and ID design
The window should not be a visually detached element somewhere on the card layout. It can also be an elegant part of it while still maintaining security.
Completely new compelling and modern design approaches can be realized utilizing windows. The use of full and semi-transparent windows and edges with complex shapes in front and reverse sides open unique design possibilities while giving insight into the three-dimensional polycarbonate structure. For example, multiple windows can be combined to create new images.
All these possibilities create new, exciting security features based on transparency and increase the overall security of ID card or data page.
Combining familiar security features, like CLI/MLI, into window gives them a totally new look.
Given this degree of flexibility, there can be no doubt that the use of transparency in ID documents is here to stay.
Do you think transparent elements can help you design a more secure ID?
At Thales, we believe in taking a global approach to security. That's why we strive to provide durable and innovative solutions to improve security, slash ID fraud and identity theft.
We offer extensive experience and support, enabling our customers to meet their expectations for distinctive IDs as secure as they are attractive.
Collaboration with customers lies at the heart of our process, and we will be pleased to share some of our best practices in ID security design with you.
If you have a question on transparent elements or have enjoyed reading our article, please leave a comment in the box below.
We look forward to hearing from you.
Is identity fraud a felony?
Finally, here's a word of warning.
It is punishable by penalties, including jail sentences, fines, probation, and restitution (compensating for money or goods stolen due to the forgery).
Some states in the US treat ID fraud very seriously, particularly regarding drivers' licenses or other state-issued identification forms.
Punishments typically run to several years in prison. If the ID belongs to someone else and you use it for financial purposes, you may also be charged with identity theft.