Radio Frequency Identification Tags To The Rescue

Identity theft is a malicious and destructive crime. It affects thousands every year. Criminals steal personal information from others and use that information to apply for and receive credit for goods and services. The unknowing victim finds that he or she has become responsible for bills that they know nothing about, thus ruining their credit history. Many companies have made millions off those as well. These companies include those that offer credit protection against this sort of crime and the credit collection companies that are trying to retrieve as much of this fraudulent credit use as possible, even at the expense of the victim.

The solution would seem to be in the Radio Frequency Identity tag (RFID). The RFID has come a long way over the last ten years. Many companies have used this device to improve their supply chain management. These tags carry information that allow companies to both track and identify products. The cost has decreased dramatically, allowing the tags to be produced for penny's on the dollar. These have been adapted for both animal and human use.

The tag would be able to carry information about the host person and can include the physical description, their address and telephone number and most importantly a personal identification number that can be used to access financial institution accounts. This would allow the host to conduct business without the need to carry personal papers, such as social security cards, credit and debit cards and even cash.

The tags can be attached in such a way that they can not be easily displaced, insuring that the information stays with the owner. Security steps can be built into the tag to foil those that want to steal the information. The security measure can be as simple as encrypting the information and using biometric information to determine whether or not the host is the original owner of the information.

Implementation can be achieved in ten years with a realistic cost of less than $1 for every man, woman and child. Government and corporations would work hand in hand to achieve the goal of recruiting the citizens to part take in this endeavor.

Implementation steps can be achieved in phases:

1. Make the tags available to those that attend many high end entertainment venues and sell them on the convenience of not waiting in lines with others.

2. Have financial institutions make this available for their customers. Sell the customer on the convenience of shopping and purchasing goods without the need for identification, cash, checks or credit cards.

3. Sell all on the identity theft protection the tags offer. The tags would be affixed in area where they could not be removed, except by a special procedure. The first recipients could possibly be children.

4. The last would be the full implementation of the government to keep track of all legal citizens. Without this tag, a person would not be able to work or engage in commerce.

The above may seem an unrealistic venture, but I believe in our quest for personal safety this may become a reality. After all, we seem to want "Big Brother" to take care of us and keep us safe, even at the expense of our freedom.