ULPT req: How would you go about getting a new identity in modern times?

Posted by NLion42@reddit | UnethicalLifeProTips | View on Reddit | 16 comments

Presuming this is mainly in the US, the main conclusions this seems to keep coming back to are:

• Take someone else's who will either never find out or who died but was never identified

• Somehow get the DMV to issue you a valid driver's license using a combination of fake and real docs, and then use that + plus fake SSN card/birth certificate/passport for bypassing pretty much every institution in life

• Pretend to be a refugee coming from another country with fake docs and get them to issue you a fresh SSN (seems quite unlikely given there will probably be an intensive interview about your background)

• Get a corrupt govt worker to make fresh documents for you, though I dunno if that's even a real thing

What ways could one go about it though? Assuming they wanted to live a comfortable life with solid careers and schooling and home ownership, and not living on the fringes of society for life?

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a5121221a@reddit

I wonder if it would be possible to find someone who would allow you to use their identity. For example, if you found a person who accepts cash with an agreement not to report that you stole their identity. I don't know how people get fake ID, but someone has to know, and if you have the name and Imdriver license number, but just need it to have your photo. They keep their identity and pretend they don't know anything about you stealing their identity. If you have a job, have enough withheld that they don't get an extra tax bill (or they'll probably report you). If you have credit cards, you always pay them off in full or they report you. It is far-fetched, but I bet you could find someone who would be willing to share their identity. You won't be able to become rich or famous, but could probably get by with a normal life.

Monarc73@reddit

Not far-fetched. There was a guy that got convicted of mortgage fraud that used the identities of vagrants. He told them they were signing up for the possibility of getting a 'get off the street' grant. (He had over 200 identities when he was arrested.)

Broken-Emu@reddit

Visit Vacuum repair store outside Albuquerque NM

"Take someone else's who will either never find out or who died but was never identified."

-Alternatively, you could find a tourist that looks sorta like you, kill them, and take up their life upon your return. This is especially plausible if they are unemployed, live alone, orphaned...etc. The fewer social entanglements, the better. (Yes, I know this is DARK, but your suggestion relies too much on luck.

•"Somehow get the DMV to issue you a valid driver's license using a combination of fake and real docs, and then use that + plus fake SSN card/birth certificate/passport for bypassing pretty much every institution in life."

-SOMEHOW? I think you already know about how well this would work.

"Get a corrupt govt worker to make fresh documents for you..."

-This requires both criminal connections, (who will screw you over if it becomes in their interest.) and A LOT of money.

Your only real hope is to do EVERYTHING your self. You need to go to the SS Administration with a GOOD story. First thing: How old are you?

Accurate-Mousse-520@reddit

Black market has some fake passports and stuff, if you get caught you’ll be screwed. If you want just a new quiet life somewhere far away you’d probably be okay.

This only applies if you are running from anyone socially. As in, no governmental / law enforcement connections.

dickwae@reddit

Good fucking luck these day. I recently suffered a thorough grilling just for my real ID drivers licence. I've lived at the same address for 35 years but because I've had a P.O. box all that time it became a real hassle. When the motor vehicle dept. person got hung up on whether I did or didn't have a mailbox at my home, and was repeatedly asking if my physical address was a house or an apartment, I got a little snippy and said something like, "you can check google street view." They replied, "I already have." I'm an old dude, but I was wondering how I'd feel if I was a single woman having a stranger with the authority to do so checking my physical address on their work computer. The answer is to join the French Foreign Legion, or rat out a criminal so dangerous that the FBI offers you witness protection.

zxcput@reddit

I've lived in three different places that didn't have home mail delivery. One on Michigan and two in Indiana. The two in Indiana I was required to use appst office box in the next town over. In one case it was also the next county over. It was annoying

Gadgetman_1@reddit

The French Forreign Legion doesn't give you a new identity any more. you can serve under an assumed name, but they won't make it official any more.

TIL; Why am I thinking recruitment is down?

Abystract-ism@reddit

Honestly, your best bet would be to somehow get into the witness protection program…and for that you’d have to witness a serious crime.

punkwalrus@reddit

I used to work for an organization that created these documents "legally" (as far as the US was concerned) to work overseas in hostile areas. Not like CIA level, but it's kind of funny how quickly the US will make you a passport with the right connections. The last time I got my passport renewed, I was asked after I got hired, "You have a current passport?"

"It expires next year."

"If you want, we can renew it."

"Okay."

And for free, my passport was renewed in less than 48 hours. I don't know if that can be done anymore, because this was before all the chips and RealID nonsense, but the passport worked the next few times I went to Sweden. Before, it was like 4-6 weeks, and you had to get some weird type of photos, stand in line at the post office, have a birth certificate, and all that.

I would imagine that having those connections MIGHT get you a new identity, but not in the US. Only overseas.

deviltalk@reddit

Interesting question. I also wonder how people do "tax fraud" and just claim returns in other people's names. Not to swerve the conversation.

It seems with the advance if technology this would be harder and harder to do.

But I honestly have no clue.