The Ultimate Guide to Identifying Fake IDs
Step one of selling age-restricted products like tobacco and alcohol is to always check identification. No matter the role – cashier, bartender, vape store clerk, wait staff, etc – the responsibility of asking for an ID needs to be instilled into daily routine. Far too often, unfortunately, failing to ask for proper identification results in fines and even jail time.
Step two of checking IDs is to ensure it’s authentic. Not only is it illegal in all 50 states to purchase alcohol or tobacco while underage, but it’s also illegal to create and/or use a fake ID.
It’s important to distinguish between two possible scenarios when checking IDs:
Scenario 1 – a customer using a fake ID
Scenario 2 – a customer using someone else’s real ID
In this blog, we’ll cover how to spot a fake ID. Whether you’re a business owner or an employee of a business selling age-restricted products, this blog will provide clear strategies you can begin implementing today!
When Should Staff be Trained to Check for Fake IDs?
Staff should be trained immediately and regularly.
This skill is especially important if the business selling/serving age-restricted products is located in a university town, tourist destination, or densely populated areas with large amounts of nightlife activity.
As states create increasingly complex IDs with designs or marks to prove their validity, so do the skills of individuals who recreate them for illegal use. IDs from states like Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Illinois, Florida, Texas, California, Hawaii, and Georgia are prone to counterfeit production for use by minors. And unfortunately, it’s all too easy to simply order a realistic, yet fake, ID online.
Is the Business or the Seller Liable for Selling to Underage Customers?
It is ultimately the responsibility of the seller (employee, bartender, waiter, etc) to spot fake IDs. For example, according to Georgia law, sellers can be held liable if they are caught selling to someone underage who is using an obviously fake ID. Also, it is the responsibility of the seller to understand what actions they are legally allowed to take when a fake ID is identified, as many state laws differ in this area.
Though business owners are not usually held liable if fake IDs are being accepted, it’s not the rule. Training staff to check for identification and implementing strategies to identify fake IDs is an important role of management. If there are many repeat offenses at an establishment, the business can be impacted.
Just take a look at a few of these headlines from recent months where many businesses were impacted and named in major news outlets for failing to check IDs:
5 Arrested in Columbus, Georgia for Selling Alcohol to Minors
10 Charged in Monroe, Georgia for Selling Tobacco and Vapes to Minors
4 Employees Cited in Dunwoody, Georgia for Selling Alcohol to Minors
6 Employees Cited in Dunlap, Tennessee for Selling Vape Products to Minors
To avoid being named in a local newspaper, use the following strategies to identify fake IDs and ensure compliance with local laws!
Inspections for Spotting Fake or Invalid IDs
Pennsylvania’s Liquor Control Board teaches the “F.E.A.R. Method.”
Feel – Feel for any imperfections or thick areas on the card.
Examine – Examine the images and design of the card.
Ask - Ask for the customer to repeat information on the card.
Return - Return the card if it seems like an authentic ID.
This is a great acronym to remember and use when checking identification. Now, let’s go a bit deeper into some specific things to look out for when using the F.E.A.R. method.
Showing the ID In a Wallet
If a customer is presenting an ID card that is within a wallet, ask to handle the card outside of the wallet. This will allow you to visually and physically examine the card for many of the items called out below in this blog. If the customer refuses, it is most likely that the customer is underage and is using a fake ID.
Body Language + Questions
When using a fake ID, many customers will appear nervous or display body language that indicates there is reason to inspect their identification closely. Some customers may also corral together before entering an establishment to game plan scenarios where IDs are rejected. Employees should be vigilant and ask the customers simple questions. Some questions might include:
What is your horoscope or star sign?
What is your middle name?
What is your address?
What is your height?
Do you have an additional form of identification like a credit or debit card?
If the customer cannot answer any simple questions or provide additional identification, it is the employee’s job to determine if service should be refused.
Tape Overs
In many university towns, the tape-over is commonplace. Minors use a standard printer and clear tape to change the digits of their birth dates to fool employees into believing they are 21 or older. This can be easily identified by using a fingernail to feel for any tape or glue on the card.
Signatures Too Perfect
If the signature looks like it was written by Microsoft Word, it’s likely a fake ID. Signatures should be imperfect when authentic. If it looks too pristine, use an additional tactic to verify if the card is indeed counterfeit.
Poor Printing or Lamination
When making fake IDs, many times the creator will put less effort into formatting the back of the card. Take a moment to examine the back of the card for any blurred text or ill-formatted items.
It’s also important to check the lamination of IDs by checking the edges for any separation or glue build-up, as this is a sure sign the ID is fake.
Microprint
Many states use microprint on their identification cards for proof of authenticity. To check for microprint, use a small magnifying glass to see if any of the microprint is legible. The microprint will look like a straight line to the naked eye but is legible with 10x magnification.
Images
Run a fingernail over the image on the ID card to see if there is any edge or change in thickness. If so, the ID may have an image taped over the original image. A great way to verify if this is the case is by looking for a Ghost Image.
A ghost image is a small duplicate image that is smaller than the primary image and sometimes printed in black and white. Check to see that the ghost image matches the primary image.
Holograms
IDs in the United States have holographic watermarks that are visible when held up to a light. This could be of the state seal or some other iconography. If this marking is missing, it is most likely a fake ID.
Laser Embossed
Many states use laser embossing to raise lettering or icons on the ID. This provides further proof of an authentic ID and can easily be felt when handling the card.
Compare with an Authentic ID
Comparing the customer’s ID with a known authentic ID can be a great tactic. Though, unless the business has a book with all 50 states’ ID cards that are up to date, this is not a fool proof method. ID card designs change without notice and there may be many older versions still in use.
Technologies for Spotting Fake IDs
Many technologies can be leveraged to check IDs. Most methods are inexpensive and reduce the business’ liability and insurance if implemented.
UV Light Inspection
Most IDs have some design that is only visible with UV light. This is a great thing to look out for using a UV flashlight. These are relatively inexpensive, ranging from $20 - $50 on most online shops.
Though UV light is a great way to check if an ID is authentic, it may still be inauthentic in that the customer is not the owner of the ID or they’ve used a tape over method. Use this method in addition to other visual inspection methods.
Scanners
There are several mobile applications that can be installed onto mobile devices to scan IDs for verification. Once scanned, the application will scan the database and verify that the ID is in fact legitimate or not. Apps usually are a subscription-based business model, with the need to upgrade plans to add more licenses.
Though this is a pretty good way to check if an ID is authentic, it’s not the most effective as many fake IDs can be scanned if made correctly. Also, establishments scanning IDs can run the risk of losing patrons as many patrons may not like to have their IDs scanned.
Multispectral Imaging
Today, several companies are offering multispectral imaging software. This software essentially does every visual check while also understanding the design and requirements for each state’s identification. This is by far the most costly option, but it dramatically increases businesses' ability to protect their staff from serving underage guests.
Next Steps for Business Owners
As detailed above, age-restricted products are routinely checked by undercover law enforcement, serving big fines for businesses or employees. Thankfully, Stinger Compliance is here to help!
Stinger Compliance helps to increase the confidence of business owners and the implementation of compliant practices by staff members. During scheduled Stings, our secret shoppers order alcohol or tobacco products anonymously and report on compliance. This provides actionable insights to business owners and keeps our communities safe!
Why Stinger Compliance? We offer:
Zero risk to business owners or employees
Quick reporting of results of each Sting
Secret shoppers of legal age
Easy online scheduling and payment
Customized Surveys
No Contracts
Ready to schedule your first Sting? Become a Client today!
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