BMV Investigations

John Born, DirectorOhio Dept of Public Safety

Mike Rankin, RegistrarOhio Bureau of Motor Vehicles

Fraud Identification & Prevention

Ohio’s Commerce Professionals and the BMV;Partnering for a Safer Ohio

How can the BMV help?

• Currently there are more than 8.9 million driver license and identification card holders in Ohio.

• The documents are issued by the Ohio BMV on a daily basis, and relied upon by you for positive identification of the customer or client.

• Fraudulently obtained and counterfeit driver licenses and identification cards are a key component in the FASTEST growing crime which costs us more than all other property crimes combined(1).

1- Bureau of Justice Statistics (2013)

VICTIM #119 yrs old

VICTIM #217 yrs old

VICTIM #2 FORCED TO ASSUME IDENTITY

OF VICTIM #1

It’s not JUST money

VICTIM #2 FORCED TO APPLY FOR PUBLIC

BENEFIT AS #1

VICTIM #2 FORCED TO CONDUCT

FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS AS #1

VICTIM #2 FORCED TO OBTAIN OHIO ID

CARD AS #1 TO AVOID DETECTION BY LAW ENFORCEMENT

Illicit acts completed through the theft of personal identifying information is often times found in more than just financial crimes. This case found a stolen identity was used for interstate prostitution/ human trafficking

Key Tips to Remember

1. Remove the document2. Examine the document3. Compare the document4. REACT

1. Ask for the document to be removed

Counterfeiters know that they are often not required to

remove the document from a wallet or case.

Poorly constructed counterfeit documents often tear, rip, or are otherwise mutilated once

removed from a wallet or case.

2. Document Examination

Secure documents do not easily separate or “peel”

Note the tool mark used to open a completely new account with

changing the driver license number from “UE” to “UF”

2a. Document Examination

Poor scissor skills and improper

shadowing easily

detected

Authentic documents

contain clear focused images.

For example, look at the

flower on the counterfeit (top) license verses the

flower on the authentic (bottom).

2b. But Wait… I have a mag stripe reader

Each of the counterfeit documents confiscated above had holograms and

when scanned, indicated the same fraudulent information that is on the

front of the document.

Just because it scans does NOT

make the document authentic

3. Compare the Document to the Presenter

Compare the image to the person who is

presenting the document.

Be vigilant for sunglasses or other feature altering items of clothing (hats, hooded sweatshirts).

??????-NO

3a. More than 1 document?

Pay close attention to the issue dates of the documents as counterfeiters may use the same dates of issuance and

often the same photo .

4. Take Action: REACT• Remain calm

– Detecting a fraud is exciting, and the customer or client may be more or equally nervous.

• Evaluate– If possible remove yourself for a moment to an office or to a

coworkers station to evaluate your findings. • Ask for help

– Speak with a supervisor or manager about what you have found and what the next course of action should be.

• Contact authorities as per your procedure– Identity fraud is a crime and the fraud you may have

detected may lead to the solution of numerous other reported cases.

• Track the activity– The actions taken by the customer or client who is

perpetuating the fraud, may be replicated at another time. Good detailed documentation will help your co-workers or you in the event of prosecution of the suspect.

BMV Investigations – Here for you

BMV Investigations has district offices around the state and Investigators who are prepared to provide assistance in the event of identity fraud. Along with their primary duties listed below, BMV Investigations:

Investigate fraud regarding drivers licenses, ID cards, vehicle registrations, titles, and matters pertaining to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles.

Assist and educate criminal justice professionals, BMV colleagues and the public regarding identity theft and methods of detection, prevention and reaction.

Toledo District Office (1)4400 Heatherdowns Blvd.Toledo, Ohio 43614Melody Price - Supervisor(p) 419.327.8989 (f) 419.245.2653

Cleveland District Office (2) 12000 Snow Rd. Unit 15Parma, Ohio 44130Mark D. Hoy - Supervisor(p) 440.845.1264 (f) 440.845.1313

Youngstown District Office (3)831 Southwestern Run #2Youngstown, Ohio 44514Mary D’Amato- Supervisor(p) 330.629.2145 (f) 330.629.2603

Central Ohio District Office (4)1970 West Broad St.Columbus, Ohio 43223Darren Lucas- ChiefTodd Ballinger- Assistant Chief(p) 614.752.4885 (f) 614.752.7008

Southeast Ohio District Office (5)1583 Alum Creek Dr.Columbus, Ohio 43209Angi Copley- Supervisor(p) 614.752.7513 (f) 614.752.8383

Cincinnati District Office (6)10948 Hamilton Ave.Cincinnati, Ohio 45231Mike Kessler- Supervisor(p) 513.742.7514 (f) 513.742.7549

BMV Investigations District Contacts

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