Online procedures have become “the bread and butter” for many Spaniards. Sometimes, we are forced to share our ID and we have to be careful, as they could be scams. The Ministry of the Interior has published a video from the National Police in which they explain how to send a photo of our identity document correctly and without risks.
There are many reasons why people are currently asking for ID photos. Renting a flat, checking in to a holiday apartment, an employment contract, etc. This practice is becoming more and more common and it is normal that you have become accustomed to giving out your personal data. But you must do it carefully, as there may be a scam behind it.
Home Office
@interiorgob
🪪 Have you ever been asked for a photo of your ID to check in at a tourist apartment? Or to formalize a purchase? Or for any other procedure in which you were not expecting it?
➡️ Follow these tips from @policia to avoid fraud 🎥 https://t.co/Zg8QBOq7hq
August 25, 2024 • 12:22
2.6K
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With the information on our ID, cybercriminals can impersonate us. In some administrative procedures, they only ask for the data that can be seen on said document and can commit fraud with our name. We should always pay attention to anything suspicious of fraud. However, there will be times when it is not a scam and we really have to send our ID. When we have no other choice, the ideal thing is to follow the tips given to us by the National Police.
Tips for sharing your ID online
One of the ways we can prevent our ID from being used fraudulently is to send the image in black and white. This way, they won’t be able to make a copy of the document, as it will be quite clear that it is a fake. When you scan the card or take a photo of it, you can avoid the color to make the process easier.
However, that is not enough. We must also pixelate the data that is not relevant. For example, the date on which the ID was issued, the expiry date or the name of our parents. In the National Police video, they give special importance to covering up the signature. In this way, we will avoid it being copied and impersonated.
There are several ways to pixelate part of a document. One of the easiest ways is to use Canva. In this image editor you can upload photos of your ID. When you do so, you will be presented with the option to ‘Edit Image’, with different functions. Some are premium, but the ‘Blur’ function within the ‘Effector’ section is free. After you have hidden what you do not want to be seen, you will just have to hit the ‘Share’ button, click ‘Download’ and choose ‘Standard PDF’ as the file type.
Finally, the National Police video shared by the Ministry of the Interior mentions the possibility of writing on top of the file. That is, putting a text with the reason why you are sharing your ID on top of the image. For example, for a rental or a contract. With Canva it is also possible to do this, and you can make the letters more or less transparent, so that it does not hinder the vision of certain important data on the identity document.
By following these simple tips given by the authorities, sharing your ID online should not be a problem. Especially now that cyber scams are constantly increasing, we encourage you to try these simple tricks so you don’t have to worry about being scammed. This way, you can carry out various procedures from the comfort of your home, without photocopying anything, and keep your personal information safe.
