Driver rant.... shippers/receivers and driver identification

You don't have to be a Mensa member to steal ID. You just need to learn the technique. About half of consumer ID theft happens via medical offices, they ask for SSN even though they don't need it. There are some fictitious SSN numbers that don't belong to anyone you can submit when someone demands you supply one. Someone just needs your name and SSN. Any extra info just makes it easier.

 

There’s rings out there are some of them work and drive Throughs and everywhere else and will copy your credit card. But an ID is worth more. They’ll give these guys $100-$1000 a head for a usable identification. Then it gets sold underground to illegals, the Russian mafia, the cartel, you name it. I had my car broken into once while I was at the gym. By the time I knew my wallet had been stolen three hours later, I was $50,000 in debt and as the months went by several people using my name and Social Security number We’re in use around the country. I received traffic citations from red light cameras and everything else that weren’t mine. You should never leave your identification credentials with anyone you don’t know. As an earlier poster said yes, you are entitled to ask what their security and privacy protocol and policies are if they’re asking you to make a copy of who you are

 

It will create a difficult situation, if you don't provide ID, when requested. And I fought those battles earlier in my career...that's just creates animosity and being marked down as an unwelcome driver.
Say you book a load, waited for appointment half a day and then they will tell you, you are not going to get loaded, if they can't get your ID. You can leave but it is all too common practice, and there is no way of knowing, if the next place will be any different. In case of deliveries, there is practically nothing you can do, unless you ready to waste a lot of time and possibly return the load back to shipper.
I don't see this change for any better, unless there is a law stating that no copies of someone's ID are allowed but that is nonsense because there are too many institutions that need to make copies for legitimate purposes. No win situation.

 

What do you consider "make copies for legitimate purposes"?

The contract for a load is between motor carrier and shipper. If they need to "go after" somebody it is the carrier, not the driver. I have no problem showing ID and verifying I have a CDL with proper endorsements. If they need to know am I authorized to pick up a load, deliver one, or that I work for the company I say I do, they can pick up a phone and call to verify that. A company ID is likely the easiest thing to fake. When it comes to needing to copy our license, that is an issue. What legitimate need does a company have to know my address, drivers license number, often a cell phone number, and in rare instances I have been asked for my social security number. Short of a bona-fide government facility with true security concerns and where they run a background check, I am not seeing any reason some warehouse or manufacturer has any need to retain this data. All too often I have seen a copy made of a license and it is then tossed on top of a filling cabinet or tossed in a pile somewhere.

For the person who said no security guard or other (implied) low level worker would have the knowledge or ability to put that information to use, you totally do not understand the problem. That low paid guy gets approached and offered hard cash to hand over copies of all those licenses every Friday. He doesn't make much, so 50 or 100 bucks is a great motivator for him. Do you think he or any of the others he works with checking in drivers all day give a #### about those drivers?

The slippery slope we are on is when it is just accepted that this is how it is, comply or be denied entry. If customers have the "legal right" to ask for this, then drivers have just a strong a "legal right" to refuse. Which right overrules the other? The only reason facilities get away with it is the same reason for low wages, crappy working conditions, etc., too few drivers will stand up and refuse to do anything for fear of losing their job.

 

Guys always preach on these forums about not letting a dispatcher treaten/ bully you into running illegal hrs or a sketchy load because you are protecting your license. But are ok with giving their personal info to get the loads and willing to allow there own identity to be compromised? Come on guys it’s the same thing.