CitizenCard gets picture upgrade

The proof of age card used by thousands of young people in Swindon is now more secure than ever.

Swindon Borough Council Trading Standards Officers have announced that CitizenCards issued after June 2003 now contain the new Home Office approved PASS (Proof of Age Standards Scheme) hologram and a new security strip across the colour photo. These changes will make it much more difficult to fake the card.

Robert Taylour, Public Protection Group Leader believes the changes are good news for businesses and consumers. He said, "the PASS hologram allows businesses to be confident when accepting the CitizenCard as proof of age. This means that every bank, shop, bar, cinema, club and retail outlet across the UK will welcome the card as valid photo-ID".

Under a special offer, current holders of the CitizenCard can upgrade to the new card by paying only £1 to cover the cost of postage until the end of September 2003. The normal cost of the upgrade is £4.50. There is also the option to update the photo and the signature that appears on the card. Trading Standards Officers will be encouraging local retailers of age-restricted products to only accept this new PASS secured cards. Consumers should inform officers if Swindon businesses are refusing to accept the CitizenCard as proof of age.

If you wish to take advantage of the CitizenCard upgrade offer you should:

• Enclose your existing card together with a stamped addressed envelope and £1 to cover postage and packing. The £1 can either be in the form of stamps, postal order made payable to OCitizencardš or if absolutely necessary coins.
  
  
• Enclose a new colour passport-size photo if you wish, with your name printed clearly on the reverse.
  
  
• Also enclose a new signature if you wish, which must be in black or blue ink on white paper. Print your name clearly underneath
  
  
• Post the CitizenCard, SAE, £1 postage and optional new passport size photo and new signature to:
  
  FREE CITIZENCARD UPGRADE
  PO Box 1221
  Newcastle under Lyme
  Staffs ST5 0US
  
  
• Allow 2 week for delivery of the new card
  
  
• If you have any queries about your new card please contact the CitizenCard Centre on 01782 741982.

www.citizencard.com