Biometric identifiers are forms of identification that prove you are you, using the unique parts of your body such as fingerprints or your face. Biometric identifiers are the most accurate way to verify your identity and are generally difficult to spoof.
At the Identity Theft Resource Center (ITRC), we consider the following pieces of personal information biometric identifiers:
- Fingerprint
- Face
- Voice
- Eye
- DNA
- Behavioral (e.g., how you walk)
It’s difficult to use someone else’s biometric identifiers. The more likely scenario is that identity criminals use your personal information and link your basic identity information to their biometric identifiers through a document like a fake driver’s license with your basic identity information or account information and their face.
It’s more important that you protect your personal information. Verification equipment is designed to ensure the body feature or behavior used to verify your identity comes from a live person – you – and not a photo, mask or other fake item. However, it’s relatively easy to use your personal information that’s been stolen in a data breach, for example, and link that data to someone else’s biometric identifiers, especially their face.
Do:
- Contact your state’s driver’s license issuer if your driver’s license has been lost, stolen or involved in a data breach. Ask to flag or change your license number. This will make it more difficult to use a fake driver’s license in your name.
Do Not:
- Post photos of identity documents or share your basic identity information on social media platforms.
Contact the ITRC
To learn more about biometric identifiers, or if you believe you were the victim of an identity crime, contact the ITRC. You can speak with an expert advisor toll-free by calling 888.400.5530 or visiting our website to live chat during our regular business hours, Monday-Friday, 6 a.m.-5 p.m. PST. You can leave a message for an advisor if you contact us outside of our business hours, and we will respond the next business day. Just visit www.idtheftcenter.org to get started.
