PORTLAND, Ore. – A male traveler fled the security checkpoint at Portland International Airport (PDX) Saturday after presenting a fraudulent driver license to a Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officer.
TSA officers used the new Credential Authentication Technology (CAT), which automatically verifies identification documents presented by passengers at the checkpoint, to confirm the traveler’s ID was fraudulent. TSA subsequently notified the Port of Portland Police Department (POPPD) and the traveler fled the security checkpoint.
At about the same time, TSA officers in the checked baggage operation discovered what appeared to be multiple fraudulent IDs, credit cards and equipment used to produce fraudulent documents in the traveler’s luggage.
“This case demonstrates the value of our new technology,” said TSA Administrator David Pekoske. “Our officers will continue to carry-out our security mission using every tool available to them to safeguard our transportation system.”
The POPPD continues to investigate the incident. The individual who presented the fraudulent ID and fled the checkpoint has not been located.
When CAT is in use, passengers present only an ID to the TSA travel document checker at the entrance to the security checkpoint. CAT verifies the passenger’s identity while also confirming flight information and vetting status by cross-referencing it against the Secure Flight Database, all without a boarding pass.
CAT is currently being tested at 13 airports nationwide including PDX. This is the first confirmed report of CAT flagging a fraudulent ID at the security checkpoint. The technology is expected to be deployed to additional airports starting next year.