At least they are doing someting about spam...
Naming a new target in its assault on spam, the Federal Trade Commission is cracking down on companies and individuals that market fake international driving permits on the Internet. A nationwide sweep has led to six court actions, many of which charge a number of companies and individuals. The defendants have allegedly used spam to market and sell "international driving licenses" for $65 to $375.
"These scams lead innocent travelers to spend hundreds of dollars for false documents," said Automobile Association of America spokesperson Justin McNaull at an FTC press conference Thursday. "Even worse, they may encourage unlicensed drivers to return to our highways, endangering all of us." The targeted spam messages falsely claim that the fake permits can be used as legal photo ID, to avoid points and fines affecting state-issued drivers" licenses, and in lieu of state-issued licenses to drive legally in the United States. The FTC says many of the schemes may target immigrants to the United States.
Those caught with the fake documents face fines and a "custodial environment," according to Mike Muth, an assistant director at the international police organization Interpol. The FTC has won temporary restraining orders and frozen the defendants" assets in five of the six cases. "This is not a substitute for a driver"s license," said J. Howard Beale III, director of the FTC"s Bureau of Consumer Protection. "It won"t get you anything. Hopefully, what we can do is dry up demand, which is perhaps the quickest way to put some of these companies out of business."