Van Hollen
MADISON, Wis. (Legal Newsline) - Wisconsin Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen announced on Tuesday that the Wisconsin Department of Justice has filed an enforcement action against a company and its owner for allegedly marketing and selling fake IDs.
Credenciales USA and its owner Hugo I. Loyo allegedly advertised and sold international driver's licenses and state identification cards on radio stations and news magazines geared towards Spanish-speaking people.
The company allegedly misrepresented that the cards were valid forms of identification, but neither Credenciales USA nor Loyo were authorized to make or sell official identification cards by the government.
"This company engaged in false and misleading practices in Wisconsin," Van Hollen said.
"The Wisconsin Department of Justice joins the Federal Trade Commission in warning consumers to be wary of the sale of fraudulent identification cards. Drivers risk losing money and can even face criminal liability if attempting to present fraudulent identification cards as valid driver's licenses."
The American Automobile Association and the American Automobile Touring Alliance are the only two organizations that are authorized by the U.S. Department of State to legally issue and sell international drivers' licenses or permits to U.S. residents.
Van Hollen is seeking to have Loyo and the company enjoined from further violations. He also wants restitution, fines and forfeitures against the defendants.