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Ask HN: How does one create a fake identity?

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Re: Ask HN: How does one create a fake identity?

#31

Post by Fargren »

Ovid wrote: post #23

Source: a long time ago I read several books on this topic because I collected odd books and I found three of them in an estate sale. The instructions below are how this was done in the early 90's and earlier, but today, with increased security and faster records access, the information is probably well out of date. Traditionally, the best way to do this has always been to establish a solid "breeder document". This i…

I think it's somewhat poetic that the first document you get for your fake identity is the first one you get for your real one.

Re: Ask HN: How does one create a fake identity?

#32

Post by gknoy »

MWil wrote: post #15

The first thing to do is realize that there are only a few limited situations in which you are ever legally obligated to tell the truth (or to say anything at all). Allow that to empower you and the truth will literally set you free. Truthfully, you are almost always free to lie. Find those boundaries and tiptoe without crossing them. I imagine that even if you are able to take advantage of some of the other advice i…

Note that lying to a federal investigator, even when you don't even realize it or realize that it has any bearing on anything, is a crime (in the US). It's inadvisable to lie to the police, FBI, etc.

Re: Ask HN: How does one create a fake identity?

#33

Post by malandrew »

Biometrics is going to make fake identities a thing of the past unless you figure out how to effectively cross borders. Biometrics is even becoming a problem for CIA HUMINT operations because its hard to fake who you are when fingerprints and iris scans are being used.

http://www.wired.com/dangerroom/2012/04/cia-spies-biometric-...

Re: Ask HN: How does one create a fake identity?

#36

Post by swalsh »

onetimeonly wrote: post #28

Source: at 17 I was running a black-hat hacker collective and had, through a series of bad choices, got pretty deep into the 'real-world' side of that business: fraud. The day after my 19th birthday my house was raided by the US Secret Service and the UK Serious Organised Crime Agency in a worldwide coordinated swoop that took in dozens of loosely affiliated people. I have since completely rebuilt my life, so I don't…

Since you clearly know the process, can you give some tips on protecting yourself?

Re: Ask HN: How does one create a fake identity?

#37

Post by maxerickson »

herbig wrote: post #14
DanBC wrote: post #9

You used to look through a graveyard to find a dead child born a similar year as you. You then got their birth certificate. Birth Certs say "MUST NOT BE USED AS IDENTIFICATION", but it's part of the paper bundle that builds credibility.

With this you can get a library card, now you have two forms of ID, which you can use to get a state ID.

The last 2 (U.S.) state Ids I have applied for have required 4 types of information(in the last year or so, in different states). 2 documents showing an address (proof of residence in the state), a social security card, proof of status in the U.S. (a valid passport or various birth certificate like documents), and proof of identification (these documents carry varying weight, an ID from another state is a good one...).

I needed a birth certificate, the options for getting that were to send a photocopy of my driver's license (certificate mailed to that address) or have a parent apply for one.

Re: Ask HN: How does one create a fake identity?

#38

Post by temuze »

gregw134 wrote: post #16
jmduke wrote: post #13

Earlier quoted context omitted.

When you use fake-quotes like "freedom enhancement techniques" and someone discovers that no three-letter agency or government organization has ever actually said such a thing -- that such a quote isn't exactly grounded in reality (Google only turned up http://www.dailykos.com/story/2010/01/31/832543/-President-P... , which was satire), they're inclined to believe "Hey, if they weren't entirely truthful with this asp…

Oh come off it--he's just using quotation marks to emphasize sarcasm.

He has a point though - people look for reasons to not listen, to stop reading and to dismiss arguments that go against what they believe in.

Adding fake 1984-esque names and grandiose claims ("turned almost a whole industry again you") makes you sound like a crazy conspiracy nut.

It also adds little to the conversation.

Re: Ask HN: How does one create a fake identity?

#39

Post by agilebyte »

MWil wrote: post #15

The first thing to do is realize that there are only a few limited situations in which you are ever legally obligated to tell the truth (or to say anything at all). Allow that to empower you and the truth will literally set you free. Truthfully, you are almost always free to lie. Find those boundaries and tiptoe without crossing them. I imagine that even if you are able to take advantage of some of the other advice i…

"... just remember, it's not a lie if you believe it" might come handy too.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UB8TCRUd9rA

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