Indeed.
It would be very easy for a genuine ITK to prove they are ITK, even if they've been told not to go public before the event occurs .... simply, before a specific event that they're aware of is about to happen, write the details in a document and password protect it.... then post it online... wait for said event to unfold..... then post the password to unlock the document.... voila.... instant ITK hall of fame status.
There again, maybe I'm thinking too hard about all this ITK malarkey (just for a change)!