USFA card cheating

[mrbiggs]

OK, in short, I have no idea where my USFA card is. Odds are not bad right now that I've managed to leave it somewhere.

But what I do have is an older card. It's identical except for the last digit of the expiration year. My question is...what are the odds that I can get away with using the old one? I'm not trying to be uninsured or anything, I AM a member of the USFA.

Oh, and do you think that I could use a pen or marker to change the "2004" into "2009" or something?

[noodle]

card itself shouldn't matter
you technically don't even really need the card
its the membership # that counts to allow for fast lookup

[mrbiggs]

card itself shouldn't matter
you technically don't even really need the card
its the membership # that counts to allow for fast lookup

In the Northeast, askfred isn't used often, and cards are checked. (In my experience.) Thanks, though, that still gives me confidence.

[peet]

Have you asked the tournament organizers what their policy would be about that kind of thing?

-p

[millsisland]

You can download a membership application form, fill it out, include the fee, and ask the tournament organizer hold it for a couple of days until you can provide proof you're already a member. Get the organizer's e-mail address and on Monday, e-mail the USFA to ask that they e-mail the organizer and copy you with your membership status. If the USFA verifies your current membership, the organizer can then return your application and fee. If it turns out you're not already a member, the organizer can send the paid application to the USFA. You should provide the organizer with a stamped envelope for either case. The USFA can mail you a new card if you request one.

There may be someone in the USFA office over the weekend in case any problems come up in Overland Park.

If you've competed in a NAC this season or another Division tournament this season, print out the results and take those with you. That will help show your membership has already been verified once this season.

Good luck!

Mills

[Zilverzmurfen]

Ok, I'm not from the US so things may be different over at yours but wouldn't it just be easier to mail/call the USFA and ask for a replacement membership card?

Assuming you've already paid the membership fee that must be noted somewhere. Just explain to them that you've managed to lose it/ruined during laundry/eaten by your family dog/stolen by your jealous peers/torn in despair of having lost a bout/whatever.

I'm sure they will be able to send you a new fancy membership card!

(My advice is to not 'cheat' by altering your older card. I don't know what the USFAs policy is, but i don't think it will put you in a good light...)

[millsisland]

I'm assuming this person wants to fence in a tournament this weekend. There's no time to get a replacement card and apparently chances of finding the current one aren't good.

[prototoast]

Ok, I'm not from the US so things may be different over at yours but wouldn't it just be easier to mail/call the USFA and ask for a replacement membership card?

Assuming you've already paid the membership fee that must be noted somewhere. Just explain to them that you've managed to lose it/ruined during laundry/eaten by your family dog/stolen by your jealous peers/torn in despair of having lost a bout/whatever.

I'm sure they will be able to send you a new fancy membership card!

(My advice is to not 'cheat' by altering your older card. I don't know what the USFAs policy is, but i don't think it will put you in a good light...)

That's certainly the best suggestion. Worst case scenario is they ask for a small processing fee, but that's still better than simply trying to avoid the problem until you either earn a new classification or need to legitimately renew your membership.

[Zilverzmurfen]

I'm assuming this person wants to fence in a tournament this weekend. There's no time to get a replacement card and apparently chances of finding the current one aren't good.

Ok, well in that case all of our answers will be too late anyways. But if he had brought it up earlier then perhaps he could have e-mailed the USFA thus receicing proof of having paid his fee.

As I said, it might be different in the US. I was just trying to be helpful..

Hope you'll find the card, Biggs.

[esskreemr]

Email the USFA, they will send a replacement card to you. You can also ask for a letter verifying your membership and ratings to be emailed to you in the interim.

[esskreemr]

Oh yeah, if the tournament is in your division, you could also try emailing the a division officer, they should have an updated membership list.

[Montoya]

If you've fenced in another tournament this season that required USFA membership, bring a printout of the results.

[D+F+P=Hadouken!]

What would Frank Abagnale do?

[MyrddinsPrecint]

if it's a local tournament, and the person running the tournament has SEEN you fencing earlier in the year, that person might let you fence.

if it's a local tournament, and the person running the tournament knows your coach very well, and your coach knows you fenced earlier in the year, the person running the tournament may let your coach vouch for you.

i've gotten out of a few binds that way.....

[SwordSoul]

i lost my card once and just printed out tournament results the day before proving that i've fenced earlier in the year in a USFA tournament.

[jeff]

Just contact the USFA: they forgot to send me my membership card when I renewed this year, so I used the USFA website to look up the name and number of the admin person, called, and she sent the card. Problem solved!

[fence1848]

I would recommend that you NOT try to just scratch out the year or slip by with an expired card. Explain the situation to the person at the bout committee. It is not a good idea to earn a reputation as someone who tries to fib on registration. If it's dubious once, they'll keep an eye out for you every time.

[The Armourer]

Yep - as my Mum always says - honesty is the best policy.

[ThatReallyHurt]

Altering a document, regardless of its importance or whether you're right about it tends to come back and bite one in the butt.

[Capt. Slo-mo]

I'd second the recommendation of Eskreemer, and e-mail the Chair of your Division, asking that they have an updated list of membership at the meet.

Our Division routinely gets such a list e-mailed from the USFA before large meets...and has it on hand for circumstances just like yours.