The May 7 deadline for federal enforcement of REAL ID requirements is approaching, impacting air travel and access to certain government facilities. The mandate arrives as concerns about voting integrity and warnings of compliance-related scams circulate.
Beginning Wednesday, a REAL ID compliant driver's license or identification card, or another acceptable form of identification like a U.S. passport or military ID, will be necessary for boarding federally regulated commercial aircraft and entering federal buildings like military bases. Those without a REAL ID must use an alternative form of identification after the deadline.
The timing coincides with legislative efforts focused on verifying U.S. citizens are the sole participants in federal elections. Congress recently advanced the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act, aiming to establish proof of citizenship requirements for voting nationwide.
The SAVE Act lists REAL ID as a potential document for proving citizenship. While a standard REAL ID may not always indicate citizenship status, some states offer citizen-only versions that align with the proposed requirements. "The structure is put in place now to... encourage more states to do so," said Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, regarding citizen-only REAL IDs complying with the SAVE Act.
Cybersecurity firms are reporting an increase in fraudulent activity related to the REAL ID deadline. These scams often exploit the urgency around compliance to target individuals seeking the identification card.
Tactics include impersonating state DMVs through phone calls, texts, and emails, sometimes using advanced methods like AI deepfakes. Scammers may direct people to fake websites, asking for personal information like name, address, and Social Security numbers under the guise of expediting the REAL ID process for a fee. State motor vehicle departments caution they do not contact residents unsolicited for payment or personal information related to REAL ID. Incidents can be reported to the [FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center](%7C7fe3958171d543d687bf08dd899ab45a%7Cccd8a79b7268413b878971f8b6f4c0df%7C1%7C0%7C638818021402336566%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJX aW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ==%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=f34Jd12d8vNkvlsivDn9dNtrtyJnZCEufMY=&reserved=0) or [the Federal Trade Commission](%7C7fe3958171d543d687bf08dd899ab45a%7Cccd8a79b7268413b878971f8b6f4c0df%7C1%7C0%7C638818021402369151%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJX aW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ==%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=%2Fn5mYBylntTbjd7il4mnrp6wQqlmhfuufKGS2khaCR4=&reserved=0).
While proponents argue REAL ID enhances national security through standardized identification, some critics view it as a step toward a national ID system infringing on individual liberty.
"REAL IDs make identification harder to forge, thwarting criminals and terrorists," said Tricia McLaughlin, assistant secretary for the Department of Homeland Security. DHS stated it continues to collaborate with state and airport authorities to assist the public and prevent fraud.
