I was talking to a telco today to get a new mobile phone SIM activated
on behalf of someone else who I was, with their authority,
impersonating. I had all the usual details ready, when I got stumped by
"Do you have any proof of identity with you."
"What kind of proof?"
"Driver's licence, passport, Medicare card."
"How am I going to show you proof of identity over the phone?"
"Oh, we just need to note the number."
What kind of nonsense is this? If I were seeking to create an entirely
false identity associated with this phone, what's to stop me simply
creating a fictitious Medicare, driving licence or passport number?
Since I wasn't seek to create a false identity, I had to terminate the
process at that point, because I don't have immediate access to those
documents, and I haven't yet gone through the legislation to see whether
providing a fictitious number in these circumstances would be an offence.
This process seem to be nuisance for everyone *except* a criminal.
Sylvia. |