Credsticks and SINs

Credsticks and SINs are a possibly confusing concept in the shadowrun
world, as there is very little in the current world that acts as a good
analogy. I'll attempt to break it down as the different source books have
shown the processes to work:

A SIN is just a number used in databases and index to track all types of
transactions regarding a specific individual. So, when a SIN-holder buys a
car, orders flowers, pays his rent, or gets a permit for a gun, all of
that data is stored in massive databases run by either the government or
corporations. Data regarding queries against a SIN are also stored, so
things like background checks, credit checks, bounced payments, arrest
records, warrants, and other types of information all relate to the SIN.

A Credstick is just a device that attempts to guarantee to varying degrees
of security that the individual currently in possession of that credstick
is in fact the owner of the credstick. Credstick GENERALLY have different
levels that define the amount of nuyen that can be stored on them, as well
as the different types of identity verification they support. A plastic
credstick, for example, may only support a maximum of 5,000 nuyen, and
only offer a simple passcode-verification system like a PIN. A Ebony
credstick, on the other hand, may allow millions of nuyen to be stored,
and require a user to submit to fingerprint, voiceprint, retinal, and
cellular scans, in addition to the flimy PIN. Rules regarding these ARE
NOT set in stone; a simple credstick with a password MAY be generated that
is capable of holding millions of nuyen, but many banks will hold their
issuance as a suspicious activity, and store that data in their databases.
The book states with their table that this is impossible. I don't think
anything is impossible, but it may not be very wise.

Obtaining a false identity igenerally involves modifying your existing SIN
data in the databases, obtaining a new SIN and inserting fake
background/historical data into the databases, or assuming control of
someone else's existing SIN. There are obviously varying degrees of work
involved in these different actions, and varying costs associated with the
depth of background that has to be modified or inserted.

The degree to which a false identity stands up to inspection directly
correlates to many background pieces of data.

Examples that would provide positive points towards an ID being valid
include:

* Having a verifiable employer for a period of several years 
* IRS equivelant having a consistant tax record on this identity 
* Buying a car on a payment plan and having the payments paid out 
regularly 
* Paying Rent on a middle class home for years
* Having utility bills and other common items paid for by an account 
associated with the SIN 
* Having a current passport with trips during tourist season 
* College or School records including such consistant information as 
extra-curricular activities, etc. 
* Simple speeding ticket, paid for on time.

Examples that would provide negative points towards an ID being valid include:

* Large sums of money deposited into low-quality credsticks
* Gaps in financial history
* Purchases that can't be explained by SIN-associated income
* Arrests involving weapons where permits were not obtained
* Failure to pay taxes for each year income should have been reported
* Sudden payoffs of SIN-related debt without accompanying income

So, to make a long story short, a Credstick says you are who the system
belives you are, but the higher-rating systems will do a deeper and deeper
check, and the data for your SIN has to be in the system for the Credstick
to have associated with. As such, you need to pay for both the ID and the
credstick. This is a little unclear, as the book description of the
credstick implies that the credstick comes with a complete history. It
comes with a FINANCIAL history, but doesn't have all of the other things
that may be associated with a SIN. This in and of itself may be suspicious
enough to generate queries. Imagine someone who has a financial history
just like anyone else, but never attended a school, never got a speeding
ticket, never visited Disneyworld, and never had an email address. Those
are the details you pay a decker to add to the associated financial
history to turn a credit record into a person.

However, none of the source books provide a really clear table of fees.

So, here you go:

Credstick Cost Table (SRIII-239):

Rating:	Cost:
1-4		Rating^2 * 1000 (1000-16000)
5-8		Rating * 5000	 (25000-40000)
9-12		Rating * 10000	 (90000-120000)
13+		Rating * 50000	 (150000-?)

This next table assumes you have already purchased the credstick with the 
financial history as described in above. Your SIN Identity should not have 
a credstick associated with it with a rating higher than that of the ID 
itself. You CAN, but it's a potential gotcha.

Identity Cost Table: (SEAN) 

Rating:	Cost:
1-4		Rating * 750	 (500-3000)
5-8		Rating * 2000	 (10000-16000)
9-12		Rating * 5000	 (45000-60000)
13+		Rating * 10000	 (130000-?)