Who says kids don't learn anything practical online? Why, just last week we saw a surge in user searches for FAKE IDs.
To be honest, we can't figure out the reason for this sudden surge (and if you know, please clue us in on the mystery term message boards). But even without that boost, fake IDs are big business online. Last month fake IDs got as many user queries as Angelina Jolie, diabetes, or Harry Potter.
There seem to be two different Web approaches to fake IDs. The first is the old-fashioned purchase: you send in a photo, they send you back a bogus laminated ID. These sites charge up to 100 bucks for what they call "novelty" identification cards.
They're careful to mention that your ID will bear a sticker reading "novelty" which can be easily removed.
If you still don't get the point, FakeId.Org even features a Shockwave animation showing "Tobi," a goateed college freshman, using his fake ID to waltz into a bar and pick up most excellent babes. But instead of closing credits from the ASPCA ("No freshmen were harmed in the making of this film") this flick ends with the disclaimer, "All novelty cards are sold for novelty use only." And in tiny type on the home page you can see the warning, "We are NOT recommending the use of our ID's to purchase alcohol or tobacco or anything that may violate local, state or federal law."
Uh-huh. Just like all those pre-written term papers are strictly "for research only."
The other trend in fake IDs, it seems, is do-it-yourself. About 12% of last week's ID queries specified templates -- fake IDs you can download, edit on your own computer, and then print out on your high-quality color Canon.
For $29.95 Info-World offers templates for college diplomas, press passes and birth certificates, along with "complete step-by-step instructions on how to make a Fake ID!"
For a laugh, check the the bottom of Info-World's order form. It comes with a stern warning: "YOUR IP ADDRESS IS RECORDED. PROVIDING FALSE CREDIT CARD INFO IS A CRIME."
Hee hee! Where's the fun in ordering a fake ID if you can't pay for it with a fake credit card?
Oop -- of course we mean novelty credit card.
