In the past year, officials throughout Korea have confiscated 25 fraudulent passes, Belair said. The number of fake ID cards was not available. Although skilled card artists can easily duplicate or alter information on the front of an ID card or pass, creating an encoded back is more challenging. The system was designed by the same Department of Defense agency that provides military ID cards. During registration, that information, including a person's digital photo and fingerprints, is placed in a database.
Personnel then add local information such as address, phone number and unit details.
Database information can be accessed by gate guards, military police and security forces personnel to ensure a card is genuine. If further verification is necessary, the fingerprint reader can match the person's left thumb and index fingerprint with those stored in the database. The system's database also will help generate activity reports with a keystroke rather than by wading through paperwork. People who will be entered into the database include active-duty and civilian employees, contractors, retirees, Republic of Korea military personnel and embassy officials, and their respective family members. People on temporary duty in Korea also will be affected.