multi - ply laminae are provided which are suitable for use as tell - tale indicators for identification cards , credentials and the like . the laminae are post - laminated to a core layer bearing a photograph or similar information or indicia . thereafter attempts to delaminate the card result in fibers being torn from a uniaxially oriented polyethylene or polypropylene layer of the laminae . attempts to readhere the layers with adhesives result in tell - tale indicia in the form of the torn fibers which cannot be adequately realigned or adhered so as to be unnoticeable . moreover , attempts to heat seal the card after tampering causes the oriented polymer to shrink and opacify resulting in additional tell - tale indicia of tampering . in addition , the core comprises heat seal surfaces upon which printing and other indicia is placed whereby any attempt to alter the printing or other indicia results in destruction of the card .