ONE OF THE WORST ASPECTS OF CONSUMER CRIME IS THE DIFFICULTY IN IDENTIFYING THE CRIMINAL WHO WRITES THE FRAUDULENT CHECK OR USES A FALSE CREDIT CARD. THESE PAPER CRIMINALS COME IN 3 CATEGORIES--REVOLUTIONARIES WHO USE THIS METHOD TO SUPPORT THEIR MOVEMENTS; JUVENILES WHO USE IT TO HELP FINANCE EXPENSIVE DRUG HABITS; AND THE TRADITIONAL CRIMINAL. PAPER FRAUD IS GROWING AT TWICE THE NATIONAL CRIME RATE. ESTIMATES PUT CREDIT CARD AND CHECK FRAUD COLLECTIVELY IN EXCESS OF $6 BILLION PER YEAR. LOSSES TO CREDIT CARD ISSUERS COULD RISE TO $10 BILLION A YEAR BY 1986. THE CASHLESS NATURE OF AMERICAN SOCIETY GIVES THE PEN CRIMINAL BROAD SCOPE. MERCHANTS, AIRLINES, CAR LEASING COMPANIES, AND PROFESSIONAL SERVICES ARE AVAILABLE AVENUES FOR FRAUD. FALSE IDENTIFICATION DOCUMENTS CAN BE OBTAINED READILY AND INEXPENSIVELY IN THE U.S. AND NEIGHBORING COUNTRIES. THE SAFEST FRAUDULENT IDENTITY IS IMPOSTURE AND THE SAFEST PERSON TO IMPERSONATE IS A DEAD ONE. THE BEST METHOD IS THE IDI, OR INFANT DEATH IDENTITY WHICH THEN SERVES AS A BREEDER TO APPLY FOR OTHER DOCUMENTS (PASSPORT, DRIVER'S LICENSE). ALTERATION OF DOCUMENTS ALSO IS A SATISFACTORY SHORT-TERM SOLUTION, AND STOLEN WALLETS CAN SUPPLY THE DOCUMENTS WHICH THEN ARE EASILY ALTERED WITH NORMAL EVERYDAY HOUSEHOLD EQUIPMENT. COUNTERFEITING IS THE THIRD METHOD. THE PROLIFERATION OF CRAFT EQUIPMENT HAS MADE COUNTERFEITING RELATIVELY EASY. PREVENTIVE MEASURES TO STOP THIS CONSUMER CRIME ARE OVERDUE. GOVERNMENT MUST INVEST FUNDS TO CROSS REFERENCE BIRTH AND DEATH VITAL STATISTICS AND UPGRADE THE QUALITY OF THE PAPER ON WHICH IT ISSUES BREEDER DOCUMENTS. MORE DETAILED INFORMATION SHOULD BE OBTAINED FROM APPLICANTS ON THE INTENDED USE OF DOCUMENTS. BUSINESS SHOULD INSTITUTE BETTER SECURITY MEASURES AND REPORT EVIDENCE OF FORGERIES. GOVERNMENT CHECKS AND TENDERS SHOULD BE SAFEGUARDED. THE FINGERPRINT SHOULD BE USED IN PLACE OF THE DRIVER'S LICENSE AS IDENTIFICATION AND VERIFICATION TO REDUCE FRAUD RISK WITHOUT CREATING A NATIONAL IDENTIFICATION PROGRAM OR FILE. (MJW)