[Michael Chandra]

That's more something for when they stop you, the whole lifestyle check sounds as if it's about your looks and maintenance, which your fake SIN doesn't help you with.

[Reiper]

When my players are traveling around Seattle, I have them make a "Life Style" check. They roll dice 6 dice for Luxury, and 1 die less for level down. On a critical glitch, bad stuff happens, e.g. traffic stops, flat tires, engine trouble, etc. I also have them make similar checks when they are in secure/rich neighborhoods rolling around in their used, beat-up Americar (or vice-versa when rolling through the Barrens in their Nightsky limo).

I rationalize it as a reward for living a wealthy life style (more I.D. verifications, better vehicle care, just looking like you belong) and a penalty for living poorly (Your gear stands out, you look like you don't belong, a less beneficial I.D. record). I also rationalize as a penalty to those "munchkin" players with millions in gear, but living a Low Life Style so they don't have to pay as much. And yes, I have had several do that.

On the bright side, it makes going to "The Meet" more exciting!

I've done similar things before, just not on a regular basis, but usually just for squatter, and low lifestyle, basically a really nasty storm comes through and can screw up their stuff. But I shall start using this idea because it makes sense and it gives them a reason to not go cheap for the hell of it.

[prismite]

I had never really given it much thought ... but I think I really like the lifestyle check mechanism. That really gives them a reason to pay attention to their lifestyle and brings that element back into our game.