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Photo ID Cards. Who Needs them Anyway?
By Allen Richardson
It's surprising to see how many organizations outsource their identification needs. Is it simply because of the expense incurred when an organization decides to implement some type level of required identification cards? Sometimes the identification requirements are dictated by law and other times it's simply to give an organization a higher level of credibility. Regardless, many companies are finding solutions other than purchasing expensive software and plastic card printers.
Personally, since I've been in the identification and tracking industry for over 10 years, I have worked with many different types of organizations in helping them develop solutions for their registration or simply photo identification needs. One thing that has become clear is the providers of these services have either chosen the high road or the low road. Many of these service providers have become self governing to ensure only individuals that should carry identification proving the person is really a police officer, EMT, or whatever the case may be. While others have chosen a more profitable route of selling ID cards to anyone who is willing to pay the price. You can search the internet for "Fake ID Cards" and you will find a plethora of companies that will provide you a card that will cost as much as $30. When searching for a legitimate solution the range is commonly in the $4 to $8 range. Because of the high level of profit, it's easy to understand why some would choose that more lucrative path.
Simply saying the organizations that are selling ID cards without principles are breaking the law simply isn't the case in most instances. If you check out their disclaimers, or the "I Agree" clauses on their sites, you will see that they actually only sell "Novelty" ID cards to anyone that is willing to pay their price. Again, checking into the details you may find that other companies providing these services are located overseas and therefore not held to the laws of our country. So accusing these providers of breaking the law or engaging in illegal activity isn't the case because of the fine lines drawn.
So when you consider how easy it is to produce or purchase a fake id card, I have to ask myself if identification cards mean anything anymore. Well, just look around and you will find that they are simply required for even the simplest of services. Many banks require two forms of photo identification to start an account or cash a check. The airport requires a form of photo identification and just about any type of secure area requires some form of identification.
Legislation was recently passed that allows a retired police officer, if he carries an identification card stating his retired status, to carry a firearm anywhere in the US. Many states are now requiring private detectives and bounty hunters to carry identification to perform their duties. Although you might find it surprising that there is not a government agency that supplies these required ID cards, so all of these individuals have to search out a provider.
Beyond being required by law, if I consider an emergency services person such as an emergency medical technician or fireman I even have to admin that seeing photo identification on them makes me much more comfortable. So I guess ID cards are needed even in the sectors of society that are not mandated to carry ID cards.
So as long as we are in a society that does not trust everyone just because what they tell us, I'm sure that we will be in a society that requires some form of identification. The future technologies may change some of the forms of identification, but in my perception will always be a need for some type of identification card; even it if's only for the latest club you joined.
About the Author
Author of Personal Discipline: Tools for Consistent Success and founder of http://www.fullidentity.com and Virtual Tournament Director, Allen Richardson has been a leader in developing solutions for registration and ID cards for organizations for over seven years. Additionally, he as served Southwest Airlines and Burlington Northern Sante Fe Railway as a consultant.
Article Source: http://www.simplysearch4it.com/author-articles/9891/1.html
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