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Response to "Now, there is a way to verify IC numbers" (My Paper, 22 July 2008)
iCheck and NRIC-checker are not similar services
29 July 2008
MyPaper
English
(c) 2008 Singapore Press Holdings Limited. All Rights Reserved
I REFER to the report “Now, there is a way to verify IC numbers” (my paper, July 22).
The article described our e-service, iCheck (Identity Card Checking Facility) and the “identity card (NRIC)-checker” in the form of an Excel spreadsheet as “similar services”.
The iCheck and the “NRIC-checker” are not equivalent facilities. This is because the validity of an NRIC number does not equate to the validity of the identity card itself.
For example, an NRIC that has been stolen or lost would still bear a valid NRIC number, even though the card itself may have been invalidated.
While the “NRIC-checker” may be able to check the validity of the NRIC number, iCheck enables the user to take a step further in checking whether the identity card itself is a valid one based on the date of issue provided.
The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) advises all readers that it is not sufficient to merely depend on the NRIC number of a person to verify his or her identity.
In order to verify the identity of a person not known to an individual or organisation, we recommend checking the original NRIC before a request is granted or a transaction is accepted.
We also advise that individuals or organisations do additional checks to confirm that the NRIC produced is valid. One important step towards confirming this is to make use of iCheck.
iCheck also offers tips on verifying a person’s identity, as well as the security features that can be found on genuine NRICs.
Ms Lim Jing Jing
Deputy Head
Public & Internal Communications
Immigration & Checkpoints Authority
Now, there is a way to verify IC numbers
KOH HUI THENG
22 July 2008
MyPaper
English
(c) 2008 Singapore Press Holdings Limited. All Rights Reserved
The free Microsoft Excel spreadsheet allows users to confirm if NRICs are valid
FED up with parents who fill in their children’s identity card (NRIC) numbers wrongly, freelance writer Gangasudhan Bala Supramaniam, 32, hit upon a solution.
Last month, he invented a service to check whether the seven digits and letter in an NRIC number were legitimate each time he handled paperwork for the Singapore Indian Development Association’s student-tuition programme. He is a volunteer with the organisation.
Based on the “Modulo 11” algorithm that the NRIC system follows, his invention allows users to download a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet from his blog, key in the NRIC number, and let the system confirm its legitimacy.
In Mr Gangasudhan’s case, this ensures thestudents’ NRIC numbers are valid before he registers them for classes.
my paper understands that the system is legal. IT security expert Aloysius Cheang said the formula is common knowledge among those in the industry.
The checker can help verify the NRIC numbers before access is granted for further online transactions.
Said Mr Cheang: “When used appropriately, this can be a useful first-level protection against malicious attacks.”
Administrative executive Charulatha Vengadiswaran, 31, has also benefited from the free service.
She said: “The NRIC-checker helps cut down the time I spend chasing people for official documents.”
The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority has a similar service called iCheck.
Available online, it needs the enquirers’ personal information first, such as the NRIC number and issue date.
Then, the NRIC number, issue date and birth date of the identity being checked must be provided “to prevent frivolous use”.
29 July 2008
MyPaper
English
(c) 2008 Singapore Press Holdings Limited. All Rights Reserved
I REFER to the report “Now, there is a way to verify IC numbers” (my paper, July 22).
The article described our e-service, iCheck (Identity Card Checking Facility) and the “identity card (NRIC)-checker” in the form of an Excel spreadsheet as “similar services”.
The iCheck and the “NRIC-checker” are not equivalent facilities. This is because the validity of an NRIC number does not equate to the validity of the identity card itself.
For example, an NRIC that has been stolen or lost would still bear a valid NRIC number, even though the card itself may have been invalidated.
While the “NRIC-checker” may be able to check the validity of the NRIC number, iCheck enables the user to take a step further in checking whether the identity card itself is a valid one based on the date of issue provided.
The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) advises all readers that it is not sufficient to merely depend on the NRIC number of a person to verify his or her identity.
In order to verify the identity of a person not known to an individual or organisation, we recommend checking the original NRIC before a request is granted or a transaction is accepted.
We also advise that individuals or organisations do additional checks to confirm that the NRIC produced is valid. One important step towards confirming this is to make use of iCheck.
iCheck also offers tips on verifying a person’s identity, as well as the security features that can be found on genuine NRICs.
Ms Lim Jing Jing
Deputy Head
Public & Internal Communications
Immigration & Checkpoints Authority
Now, there is a way to verify IC numbers
KOH HUI THENG
22 July 2008
MyPaper
English
(c) 2008 Singapore Press Holdings Limited. All Rights Reserved
The free Microsoft Excel spreadsheet allows users to confirm if NRICs are valid
FED up with parents who fill in their children’s identity card (NRIC) numbers wrongly, freelance writer Gangasudhan Bala Supramaniam, 32, hit upon a solution.
Last month, he invented a service to check whether the seven digits and letter in an NRIC number were legitimate each time he handled paperwork for the Singapore Indian Development Association’s student-tuition programme. He is a volunteer with the organisation.
Based on the “Modulo 11” algorithm that the NRIC system follows, his invention allows users to download a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet from his blog, key in the NRIC number, and let the system confirm its legitimacy.
In Mr Gangasudhan’s case, this ensures thestudents’ NRIC numbers are valid before he registers them for classes.
my paper understands that the system is legal. IT security expert Aloysius Cheang said the formula is common knowledge among those in the industry.
The checker can help verify the NRIC numbers before access is granted for further online transactions.
Said Mr Cheang: “When used appropriately, this can be a useful first-level protection against malicious attacks.”
Administrative executive Charulatha Vengadiswaran, 31, has also benefited from the free service.
She said: “The NRIC-checker helps cut down the time I spend chasing people for official documents.”
The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority has a similar service called iCheck.
Available online, it needs the enquirers’ personal information first, such as the NRIC number and issue date.
Then, the NRIC number, issue date and birth date of the identity being checked must be provided “to prevent frivolous use”.