Feb 10, 2006 10:23 pm US/Central
Legislators Want Action Against ID Peddlers
They Say The Fake ID Ring In Our Report Is A Matter For Homeland Security
by Pam Zekman
CHICAGO (CBS) ―
Legislators say fake ID peddling is a business that generates millions of dollars a year.
As CBS 2 Investigator Pam Zekman explains, those legislators say our identity theft sting that exposed the operations of some fake ID peddlers last night is a matter for homeland security.
Driving west on 26th Street, Illinois State Rep. Edward Acevedo (D-Chicago) showed us where he's seen fake ID peddlers operating for years in his district.
"This is one corner where I've seen them hanging out," Acevedo said as he came across the shopping center at 26th Street and Albany Avenue in the Little Village neighborhood.
He is well aware that shopping center, as we disclosed last night as the center of the action, as a hot spot for peddlers who flash their signals in broad daylight.
Acevedo also pointed out the sign for false identification for sale, which is how we bought several fake ID cards for $220.
Illinois State Sen. Antonio Munoz (D-Chicago), said, "I thought your investigative team did an outstanding job. This has been an ongoing situation for years."
For that reason, the two legislators have introduced a resolution calling for the creation of a false identification task force.
Munoz said it was "because not only is it affecting our community, but it is spreading out to the suburbs and the entire state."
As we disclosed on Thursday night, Tomas Tlatenchi got ID's using the names and social security numbers of two men – Eufemio Cordoba and Ernest Ochoa – both of whom have good credit histories.
Tlatenchi is alleged to have used the fake ID's to get mortgage loans for homes in Maywood.
"(Tlatenchi) had told me he bought my identity at 26th Street in Chicago for $1,500. And that $1,500 is all it takes to ruin someone's life," Ochoa said.
On Friday, Tlatenchi was indicted for identity theft in connection with four vehicle loans he got with a total value of $89,000.
"I feel bad for Mr. Cordoba and Mr. Ochoa," Munoz said. "I'm sure a lot of other people are having nightmares right now because they can't get their life in order."
Law enforcement officials say they are without the manpower to conduct an effective crackdown on the ID peddlers on 26th Street and elsewhere in the Chicago area.
That is why Munoz and Acevedo hope to get federal Homeland Security money to fund the effort.
"Maybe terrorists can come and obtain these cards," Munoz said.
"You saw the 9-11 people who hijacked the planes," Acevedo said. "They all had fake ID's."
Munoz and Acevedo want to target not just the peddlers, but the people who make the ID's.
Acevedo said of the fake IDs at the 26th Street shopping center, "The quality is probably the best here in Chicago."
And he said that is not something to brag about. "That's something we should be very concerned about," he said.
A resolution to create the task force has passed in the state House of Representatives, and is expected to be voted on in the state Senate soon.
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