Alaska Officers Seize over 36,000 Counterfeit Credit Card Holograms - sitnews.us - 13 May 09

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers in Anchorage, Alaska seized an express package from Hong Kong in late April containing over 36,000 counterfeit credit card holograms (Visa, Mastercard) and 10,000 counterfeit Alberta, Canada Department of Motor Vehicle Seals. The contraband was secreted inside a computer tower

Holograms are a security feature incorporated into credit cards and Enhanced Driver Licenses (EDL). When combined with illegally obtained account information, counterfeit holograms allow criminals to manufacture counterfeit credit cards and EDLs that are almost indiscernible from the genuine article. Counterfeited credit cards and driver licenses are key components utilized in bank theft, identity theft, and criminal impersonation.

"This discovery demonstrates the vital role CBP plays in U.S. national security and consumer protection" said Anchorage CBP Area Port Director Lance Robinson. "Fraudulent government-issued identity documents could encourage persons to attempt illegal entry to the U.S., and enable criminals to further their illegal activities".