Richmond Municipal

Identification Cards  

Something we all can use…

Many in Richmond Lack ID

Many immigrantsMany children and studentsMany homelessMany transgenderMany indigentMany disabledMany elderlyMany run-away youthMany survivors of domestic violence

Half of the people deported by ICE

from Contra Costa County were

NEVER convicted of any crime

Between April 2010 and January 2011 ICE deported from Contra Costa County 290 persons who were never convicted of any crime.

On average: One Contra Costa resident deported each day even though she/he was never convicted of a crime.

They were picked-up at county jails by ICE

Some were jailed because they did not have an ID to show to law enforcement upon valid request.

West County Times 02/25/2011

There is no law requiring citizens to carry identification of any kind.

Nevertheless, “Stop and identify” statutes are laws in the United States that allow police to detain persons reasonably suspected of involvement in a crime and require persons so detained to identify themselves to the police.

If the manager of Home Depot receives a complaint  from a customer that ‘one of the day laborers’ was  committing a crime…can the police  detain all in the area and ask for identification?.... It has been known to happen (In Vallejo for instance)…and the ones without a PROOF of ID were sent to county jail for the weekend, and some never made it back: They were deported by ICE!

.

if an officer suspects a crime, or you merely refuse to cooperate with his a request for ID… you may be handcuffed, detained,

and taken to county jail to process your fingerprints and if you are on an ICE list you may be deported immediately

Having a City ID can help avoid cases like that

Many are afraid to report crimes

Without a valid form of identification, many residents in marginalized communities…

Think they have no right to report crimes,Feel they have no standing Are afraid to talk to police officers

Many are afraid to report housing and labor violations

• Blighted rental properties are not reported. Slumlords get away with crimes

• Workplace health and safety violations, wage violations are not reported. Unscrupulous employers get away

with crimes.

Many cannot open a bank account

Immigrants and day laborers carrying large amounts of cash have been specifically targeted for robbery, assault and violent crimes

Richmond residents who are paid in cash daily (day laborers) are targets as they go home

Immigrant day laborers have been targeted and victimized in organized attacks on MacDonald Ave walking from Home Depot and near the Richmond BART station.

Many have been hurt during these robberies

Worked all day, all week, and not paid!

Unpaid wage incidents, discrimination, and other labor law violations committed by abusive employers.

These abuses of labor rights are possible in part because the laborers don’t trust that the police and other authorities will protect them from crimes, violence and harassment.

Richmond Values All ImmigrantsIn RESOLUTION No 11-07 THE RICHMOND CITY COUNCIL (Jan 2007)

•  Acknowledges that one fourth of Richmond residents are immigrants who have come to  the U.S. in search of better  lives for themselves and their families

• Welcomes and values all of its residents and 

•  Wants all residents to live and work free from discrimination, hostility, abuse, violence, exploitation and fear of local, state and federal law enforcement

• Recognizes all immigrants for their contributions to our economic and social life

• Affirms its desire to foster an atmosphere of trust and cooperation between the Richmond Police Department and all residents of the city of Richmond

Undocumented Immigrants are not eligible for a California ID even if they are adjusting their legal status in the courts.

While some have foreign-government “Matrícula”/Consular ID , the Matrículas are not available to all foreign nationals and are not widely accepted.

IDs are often required to access goods, services, facilities, institutions,to participate in events and to verify eligibility

Homeless Community

Many do not have access to personal records or documents needed to apply for State ID

May not be able to pay the fee ($7-$26)

LGBT Community

Some are marginalizedMay have had difficulties changing their name or gender in state issued ID cardsMay want to have a different gender or no gender listedMay not have “medical proof’ to complete change

Children and Youth

Some runaways do not have access to personal records or needed documents

Many don’t trust state agencies

The Elderly

The elderly may face many obstacles to get a state ID even if they qualify for reduced fee

We need a Richmond ID CARD

For every resident who wants it

2400 Macdonald AveRichmond, CA 94804

And we want it to be modern and with great useful features…

Can Cities provide ID Cards?

It is perfectly legal for any City to issue IDsIt does not violate any federal or state laws

We need an ID Card that is:

Official

For all residents of the City

Regardless of immigration status

In June of 2009 the City of Oakland adopted ordinance #12937 [introduced by now Mayor Jean Quan and councilmember Ignacio de la

Fuente ] to issue Municipal ID Cards

On November 2010 after a bid process Oakland accepted a bid by SFMS, LLC to administer the

program and issue municipal ID cards

The Oakland-SFMS Approach

The Oakland SFMS proposal combines:

1. Municipal Identification Card

2. Prepaid debit card (OMIC card by Transfercel )

3. Data protected by the Bank Secrecy Act

4. $0 cost to the City for lifetime of program 

$ Cost of the ID to residents $

The initial cost of obtaining the Richmond Municipal ID card would be

$15 for adults

$10 for children

Special consideration may be made in some cases

1 . The card is of a certain stock thickness and material 2 . The card stock inventory is laser engraved with a serial number 3 . Fine line pattern background (guilloche graphic created by vector graphic imaging software) 4 . Embedded watermark 5 . Microtext 6 . Foil stamp of City Seal 7 . Laser etching 8 . Optical Variable Ink on certain areas of text        (when tilted, the card ink turns a different color) 9 . Ultra Violet Ink 10. Holograms on either the card face (if a Visa card) or the magnetic stripe (if Discover card) 11. Tamper proof magnetic stripe 12 . Tamper proof signature panel 13 . Security features vary slightly when card is Discover or Visa

MANY SECURITY SPECIFICATIONS

Identification Card SpecificationsID number (also known as the ‘Online Account Number’; it is a 14-digit unique identifier of the cardholder. The number can be used to access the cardholder’s account online and during intake or customer support)

Full legal name (last name, first name)

Date of birth (month/day/year )

 Residential address (corresponding to a Proof of Residency)

Photo

16 digit card number (corresponding to the prepaid debit account)

Expiration date (of the card and account); the Expiration Date is determined by adding two years to the date of issuance

Applicant signature

2400 Macdonald AveRichmond, CA 94804

Recordable, Readable Magnetic Stripe Back side

Contains cardholder Information.

When swiped, individual’s name, ID number will appear, allowing Police officers, merchants, or City agents to verify that personal information on the face of the card matches the information used to register the card and the prepaid debit account.

The magnetic stripe > facilitates financial transactions for the cardholder, > identifies cardholder at any traditional magnetic stripe card reader. The stripe has several “tracks” which can be programmed to carry specific information

Operational specificationsPoint of sale (POS) or checkout is the location where a transaction occurs.A salesperson manages the selling process  and creates and prints a receipt. If the City chooses a POS system through an acquiring network like the one run by Wells Fargo Bank, the OMIC card by Transfercel as any debit card in that system, can be read on the system without any further integration.

SFMS’s OMIC program can be offered on either the Visa or the Discover card networks. These networks include millions of ATM and POS locations throughout the US where the OMIC can be used to make purchases, payments and withdrawals.

Possible Interface with other Systems The Richmond Municipal ID Card could also interface with

• The Richmond Library System

• City fees and permits

• Richmond Museum

• East Bay Center for the Performance Arts

• West Contra Costa Unified School District

• AC Transit

• Contra Costa College. 

• Contra Costa Health Plan

The DEBIT CARDS services ARE NOT required to obtain a

Richmond Municipal ID

If not wanted the DEBIT CARD component will remain inactivated

until otherwise desired

There is no fee for enrollment in debit card services

A DEBIT CARD Stored Value Card Services (SVC)

The Transfercel OMIC will function on the Transfercel prepaid debit card platform.

It will have all the functionality of a ‘signature’ card (as opposed to a PIN card) which in addition to working on the several ATM/POS networks will be fully certified on either the Visa or the Discover network (whichever the City requests).

Transactions are verified by both PIN and cardholder signature, increasing the level of transaction security.

With the [Prepaid Debit ] STORED VALUE CARDResidents will be able to use their Transfercel OMIC account to:

• Load cash onto their Card via POS at participating businesses 

• Load checks onto Card at participating businesses 

• Load the card for free via Direct Deposit

• Check balance on internet, IVR and soon, their mobile device                  (if signed up for mobile services)

• Make purchases at POS terminals and withdraw cash at ATMs 

• Make purchases and reservations over the phone and internet 

• Pay bills over the phone, on the internet and through the mail

Also will be able to make•  Low-cost domestic and international money transfers

•  Card-to-card transfers to other Transfercel cardholders in the    US and Mexico (such as friends and family  members), as well as • Money transfers to 12 countries

• Link it to their cell phone to enable secure mobile financial transactions 

• If a Richmond resident’s family member in Mexico is a Transfercel   cardholder, then s/he has  the option to select a no-cost insurance, which would repatriate the remains of the  Richmond resident in    case of his/her accidental death (assuming Richmond resident is a    Mexican national).

• Other financial services are possible if the City wishes: i.e. long   distance phone service, insurance vendors (low cost auto insurance)    to cardholders. 

Commercial rewards, rebate or incentive programscan be offered by local merchants to residents using the cards

SFMS will work with the City to identify suitable vendors and then with the vendors directly to add functionality to the card.

The vendors get more business and when cash or checks are loaded on a card the vendors receive half of the $2.95 transaction fee.

Fee schedule for Debit Card activities

The fees below are based on the current Transfercel fee schedule.

The fee schedule for the Transfercel OMIC would be finalized with feedback from the City of Richmond 

Fees for the prepaid debit card are determined by the actual costs of the services charged by the banks and card networks. 

Transaction  Fees   DEBIT CARD• Enrollment  FREE • Payroll Direct Deposit or ACH Load     FREE  • PIN or Password Change  FREE • POS Purchases and Cashback  FREE• Live Customer Service Inquiry Call     FREE • IVR inquiries   FREE • Online Account Access and Management   FREE    at http://www.transfercel.com • Account Maintenance (monthly)    $0.99

Mobile Fees  Monthly Mobile Maintenance  $1.50  Mobile Inquiry: Check your Balance    FREE  Mobile Inquiry: Check your Transaction History    FREE  Mobile Inquiry: Report your Card Lost or Stolen    FREE  Mobile Inquiry: View a list of your Beneficiaries    FREE  Mobile Inquiry: Change your Access Code    FREE  Mobile Inquiry: View Help Options    FREE  Mobile Inquiry: Opt out of Mobile Services    FREE

  

  

Fee Schedule

Domestic ATM Withdrawal  $1.50* ATM Balance Inquiry  $0.60* ATM Denial Fee  $0.60* POS Purchase Denial or Return   $0.50 Statement issuance via U.S. mail or fax fee  $4.95 (only if requested) Inactive Account Fee Monthly   $1.00** Funds Transfer to Replacement Card   $1.00 Domestic Card-to-Card Transfer   $2.00 International Signature Card ATM Withdrawal    $3.50 International Remittance (SF Network)   $5.00 International Remittance (CNB Network)   $6.00

* In addition to fees charged by the ATM operator.

** For cards not used in four months.

Loading Fees  Load at TRANSFERCEL Merchant   $2.95  Load at non-TRANSFERCEL Merchant    Varies by location  Load via GreenDot MoneyPak    No additional fee 

Daily Limits    

Maximum amount allowed on Card at any given time is $2,999.00 excluding Payroll Direct Deposit loads.  

Loads $ 1,000.00

ATM withdrawals $ 500.00POS Purchases (card present) $ 500.00 ***Internet and Phone POS Purchases $ 150.00 *** Card to Card Transfer $ 500.00 *** International Transfer $ 1,000.00 ***

  

  

*** The sum of these transactions may not exceed $2,500.00 per day.   

Pre-registration supportResidents will acquire their Richmond Municipal ID Card through both a pre-registration and a final registration process.

In order to pre-register, Residents will be asked to either call the Transfercel customer care center or use the website to enter their information.

Likely churches, community centers, libraries, schools and locations with computers available for the public to use will volunteer to help their community members complete the pre-registration for a card.

SFMS will reach out to these groups to educate them about how they can help their communities by encouraging and facilitating pre-registration.

Need several intake centers in Richmond. Staffed with one full-time contract worker Paid by SFMS to work only on “Intakes”

Intake centers may be established either at City agencies or at organizations which have contracted with SFMS

Partnerships with CBOs possible

Intake Centers

 Documents for identity verification: The City of Richmond shall determine the qualifications for obtaining a Transfercel OMIC. Based upon the ID requirements set by the City of San Francisco and Oakland the requirements for the debit card set by our issuing bank, SFMS suggests the following in Oakland:

ONE of the following documents (must display applicant's photograph and date of birth):

• US or Foreign Passport

• US Driver's License

• US State ID

• US Permanent Resident Card (Green Card)

• Consular Identification (CID)

Documents for identity verificationTWO of the following documents (at least one document must display applicant’s date of birth and photograph. Photograph requirement does not apply to applicants 13 and under):

• Certified Copy of US or Foreign Birth Certificate

• Social Security Card

• National ID Card with photo, name, address, date of birth, and expiration date

• Foreign Driver's License

• US or Foreign Military Identification Card

• Current Visa issued by a government agency

• Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) authorization letter

• California Educational Institution Identification Card: elementary, middle, secondary and post secondary schools

PROOF OF RESIDENCY ONE of the following documents containing the applicant's name and residential address within the City of Richmond

• Utility bill dated within the last 30 days • Property tax statement or mortgage payment dated within 30 days • Bank account statement dated within the last 30 days • Proof of a minor currently enrolled in a school located in Richmond• Employment pay stub dated within the last 30 days • Jury summons or court order issued by a state or federal court  dated in the last 30 days • Federal or state income tax or refund dated within the last 30 days • Insurance bill (homeowner’s, renter’s, health, life or automobile insurance) dated in the last 30 days • If a certified copy of a marriage certificate is presented at the time of application, an applicant may prove residency using documents bearing the name of his/her spouse. 

Possible Alternative Proofs of Residence• Written verification issued by a homeless shelter confirming  at least 15 days residency within the last 30 days 

• Written verification issued by a hospital, health clinic or social services agency confirming at least 15 days residency within the last 30 days

• Written verification issued by local neighborhood council officials of neighborhood of residence confirming residency to the best of knowledge [visit].

• For room-renters written verification by home owner or person named in rental contract confirming residency of room-renter.

• Certified affidavit signed by two Richmond residents.  

Customer training Flexible training course which can be adapted for the purposes of training Residents, Police officers, City administrators, merchants or intake agents.

At each intake center, educational materials will be on hand

The Transfercel OMIC comes with a user guide which provides full instruction on the use of the card.

A mobile user guide describes how the customer can use their cell phone to make transactions and check their balance on their account.

Product promoters to teach consumers how to leverage the prepaid debit cards to access low-cost financial tools that will protect their financial assets, simplify their lives, and save them money.

Languages

SFMS is committed to hiring intake agents who can speak the languages of the diverse populations of Richmond. 

CNB’s IVR system can support English, Spanish, Portuguese, Creole and Mandarin.

Following the City’s directive, SFMS could add staff who speak additional languages other than Spanish and English for its customer care center. 

Future expansion of product functionality

1. Government to Person (G2P) payments. Welfare, pension, EITC and other government payments can be paid directly to beneficiaries’ Transfercel OMIC. This would save the City money by reducing their need to print checks to issue payments and refunds.

2. Payroll card. Employers, such as the City of Richmond, who wished to use the Transfercel OMIC as a payroll card could do so.

3. Savings accounts. SFMS is planning to work with community banking partners to develop the ability to link its stored value accounts to existing bank accounts, such as high yield savings accounts. This will allow Residents to transfer money on and off their Transfercel OMIC to their savings or checking accounts, allowing them greater financial freedom.

4. Local currency. If the City wishes for the Transfercel OMIC to partner with a local organization to allow for a local Oakland currency to be used by cardholders, SFMS will work to add this capability to the Transfercel OMIC.

In summary• A Richmond Municipal ID Program will benefit many residents

• It will help residents to report crimes and connect with the police

• It will help people access services and facilities

• It will have many security features to prevent tampering and fraud

• It will serve as a debit card and can promote local commerce

• It will protect confidential data under the Bank Secrecy Act

• It will cost nothing to the City of Richmond

• It will support itself with small transaction fees

• It will make Richmond better, safer, and get more people participating in civic life

• It will be available for every resident of Richmond who wants it

We ASK for YOUR SUPPORT

Please help Richmond become a Better City for ALL its residents

with a

Richmond Municipal Identification Cards Program

Prepared by

Richmond Municipal Identification Cards 2011 Coalition

Building A Better Richmond 

City of Richmond. CA