BMV cracks down on smiles in face of fraud

A picture can say a thousand words, but the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles just wants it to spot fraud.

Since Nov. 18, all of the BMV locations in Indiana have been using facial recognition software to catch fraud, said Dennis Rosebrough, communications director for the Indiana BMV.

The software compares permanent facial features, Rosebrough said. People are discouraged to smile or wear glasses, hats or anything else that can prevent facial features from being fully spotted.

“We really ask people not to use a broad smile,” Rosebrough said. “It’s better to have more of a straight face, to have a more uniform look.”

The software is just part of the BMV’s plan to enhance the security of the identification cards it issues.

The software is a two-step procedure, Rosebrough said. Employees at a BMV look up the most recent photograph of an individual when they apply for a state identification card or driver’s license, Rosebrough said. At night, the computer takes the photographs and runs the pictures against all of the ones that are inside of the database in Indiana.

In the morning, the computer prints out a report of all of the photographs that might cause an issue, Rosebrough said. If fraud is suspected, the information is turned over to an investigation team.

Bloomington BMV branch manager David Martin said the new process takes longer for some customers.

“It makes it a little harder because of the requirements of how the picture has to come out – you can’t smile, you can’t wear glasses,” Martin said. “Some, you get it on the first take, where others you have to get five to seven times.”

People who have to have part of the face covered for religious purposes or medical reasons have to bring in a letter from a doctor or a religious leader explaining why their face cannot fully be exposed, Rosebrough said.

Martin said employees had to do training for the system but have not had any problems with it.

Although the system, software and cameras cost about $2.4 million, Rosebrough said there is no operational cost in using the system.

“This is part of our ongoing effort to improve our credentials,” Rosebrough said. “It’s our responsibility for our Hoosiers to help prevent identity theft.”