Which parts of an ID are most commonly altered?

The most commonly altered part of an ID is the photo. This is primarily due to the fact that the photograph establishes a visual identification of the individual, and altering it can facilitate identity fraud or impersonation. Criminals may replace the original photo with one that resembles them more closely or completely different, making it easier for them to use someone else's identity without detection.

In the context of identification verification, the photo is crucial because it provides a direct visual link to the person claiming that identity. As security measures improve, altering other aspects of an ID, such as the signature, ID number, or security code, may not achieve the same level of effectiveness in evading scrutiny since these elements are typically cross-verified with other data. Therefore, the photo remains the most vulnerable and frequently altered component of identification documents.