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Texas Stops Driver's License Scam Targeting Undocumented Workers

Texas company sells worthless 'licenses' for $225

By Lisa Wade McCormick
ConsumerAffairs.com

April 10, 2008

• Texas Stops Driver's License Scam Targeting Undocumented Workers • Nebraska Warns of Driver's License Scam Targeting Undocumented Workers --- • Noticias para los Consumidores

Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott has charged a Houston company with selling fake driver's licenses to immigrants.

The office charged Centro de Identificaciones and its owners, Guillermo R. Robles and Hernan C. Trujillo, with multiple violations of the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act (DTPA).

In an earlier report, ConsumerAffairs.com told you how that same company targeted undocumented workers in Nebraska in its driver's license scheme.

According to Texas authorities, the defendants marketed fraudulent "International Driver's Licenses," which they sold for $225 each.

Their advertising targeted the Hispanic community and indicated the "licenses" were authentic and would allow immigrants to legally buy, insure, and drive vehicles.

"These defendants are charged with unlawfully selling fake driver's licenses to immigrants," Attorney General Abbott said. "The scheme preyed upon foreign nationals who reside in this country who were seeking a driver's license. The fake licenses conferred a false appearance of legitimacy on those who are in the United States illegally."

Harris County District Judge Grant Dorfman granted the state's request for a temporary restraining order, which prohibits the company from illegally manufacturing and marketing the false licenses.

Texas authorities said Centro de Identificaciones, which is Spanish for "Identifications Center," made patently false statements in its Spanish-language advertising and marketed the illegal products in a campaign that spanned several states.

The defendants' advertisements claimed the licenses were 100 percent legal and falsely indicated the documents would expedite buyers' ability to buy and insure motor vehicles. They also assured buyers the licenses were authorized under the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which is not true.

Texas officials said the defendants are not authorized by that state, the U.S. government, or the United Nations to sell and issue international driver's licenses.

The state charged the defendants with Texas DTPA violations because they falsely represented their company had authorization to issue those licenses.

ConsumerAffairs.com left a message with Centro de Identificaciones Thursday afternoon regarding the charges. The company has not returned our calls.

When we contacted the company earlier this week, a man who answered the phone first said Centro de Identificaciones offered "translation" services. When pressed for more information, he said: "I have no comment. This is a free country. I know my rights."

The action taken by Texas authorities seeks restitution for consumers who paid for the phony licenses, civil penalties of up to $20,000 per violation, and attorneys' fees. The state also requested civil penalties of up to $250,000 for any individuals 65 or older who lost money in this scheme.

Texas officials said only countries that joined a 1949 treaty called the International Convention on Road Traffic (ICRT) officially recognize international driver's licenses.

The United States is a party to the agreement, but only two organizations are permitted to sell the ICRT permits: the American Automobile Association and the American Automobile Touring Alliance.

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