TEMPE, AZ (CBS5) -
Websites that make fake IDs for underage kids are easy to find. They'll build you a pretty believable phony driver's license for a price. But you don't just risk getting busted with a fake when you sign up.
"They're considering some options that may not be in their best interest in the long term," said LifeLock's Tami Nealy.
The short term effects are obvious, getting caught with a fake id can get you in big trouble. But even once police have confiscated it, your information is still out there.
"There's a lot of fake ID rings that are targeting college campuses," Nealy said.
Have you ever considered the type of information you're giving out? Or who you're giving it to?
"You're providing your name, or I guess any name you want to, an address, the date of birth that you want to show up. But then you really need a real mailing address for them to be shipped to and then you have to give some sort of payment information," Nealy said.
That's where these scam artists get the over-eager college student. They can steal your credit card or bank information just like that.
"Really the damage that they can do once they have your name and that is really endless," Nealy said.
Even once you get busted with the fake ID, your information is out there forever.
"I like to say the toothpaste is out of the tube and you can't put it back in. If they haven't used it yet that doesn't mean they won't start using it in the future," Nealy said.
So think twice before you think you're being cool, because it really is twice the headache that can last a lifetime.
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