Revoking lost and stolen ID cards in time

MANY LOST IDENTITY CARDS of Chinese citizens have been reportedly put on sale via online platforms, with their prices ranging from 350 yuan ($52) to 500 yuan. Beijing News commented on Tuesday:

More than 1 million ID cards are reportedly stolen from or lost by their owners every year. If the loss or theft of the cards is not reported to police in time, it could create security risks. And the just exposed online black market may be just the tip of the iceberg. Even if the owner reports the loss or theft of an ID card and is issued a new one, the lost or stolen one cannot be annulled in time. This creates security loopholes that fraudsters can exploit for illicit gains.

Police have taken measures to curb the use of lost ID cards by impostors, such as promoting a nationwide network for people to report the loss or theft of cards, collect them if retrieved, and register those people’s fingerprints in the system.

The latest effort is aimed at creating an online copy for each identification card to allow an ID card holder to check into hotels without showing his/her card. But to realize that goal, the authorities have to make efficient efforts to prevent the lost or stolen cards, if not retrieved, from being used to start up sham companies, purchase SIM cards, and even launder money.

In many cases, the lost ID cards can be used even when their owners have been reissued a new one, and the lack of double-checking regulations is to blame for that. This has to change. Otherwise, impostors who assume other people’s identities could cause more damage to social governance.

Stricter enforcement of regulations is needed to break the chain of illegal interests and hold those selling lost ID cards accountable. More importantly, the authorities have to take measures to invalidate lost or stolen ID cards.