Is “5” a bad number? Surprising Secrets of Driver’s License Numbers… In Some Cases, “Mortgage Loans May Not Pass”.
The secret of your driver's license number is not well known. The last digit is particularly important. Automotive journalist Kumiko Kato explains.
…… for mortgage review.
If it has been 20-30 years since you got your license, it could be lost or stolen. In addition, nowadays, many people will use not only a driver’s license but also a my number card as a photo ID to identify themselves, so those who are concerned about the number at the end of their license should not produce it.
In fact, when we asked two men whose driver’s license number ends in “5,” they told us that they had no problems with their loan applications.
They said, “I dropped my wallet or forgot it on the train and had to reissue it several times before I realized the number at the end was ‘5. However, I was not told anything in particular at the loan review for my house 10 years ago. I was not asked any questions when I refinanced.
I submitted my driver’s license as one of the documents to verify my identity, but the number at the end was not a problem, and my business-related loan was approved without any problems. I also had a car loan, but I have continued to make payments without any problems.
However, the number of times a driver’s license has been reissued may be checked for another purpose. In general, most people who have lost their driver’s license have their licenses reissued, but there are some people who have their licenses reissued for the purpose of committing a crime.
Like passports, driver’s licenses are one of the most likely documents to be forged or altered and used for criminal purposes. To prevent money laundering, financial institutions have strict standards for identity verification when opening accounts. If you lose your driver’s license, you should immediately deliver it to the police.
It goes without saying that if you lose your driver’s license, it is important to report it to the police immediately. In recent years, some police stations have begun accepting electronic applications, so it is possible to report the loss via smartphone or PC. The best thing to do is not to lose it so as not to arouse “unnecessary suspicion.” However, if you do lose it, please be sure to handle it properly.
Interview and text by: Kumiko Kato