Fake IDs are a growing problem in the United States. This problem has become so widespread that many restaurants and bars have begun developing new strategies to protect themselves from shady customers. Some have even taken to providing take-home cocktail kits. However, carding a customer can be difficult because it requires a certain degree of social distancing.
In addition, the person’s physical features may change, and so they might not look like the person in their ID photo. Fortunately, there are still some easy ways to identify a fake ID.
The first and most effective way to determine if an ID is fake is to examine the design and quality of the ID. The materials used in making the fake can also affect its legibility and durability. For instance, while many fakes are made of plastic, state IDs are often made of polycarbonate or a similar hard material.
Another way to identify a fake ID is to see if the individual has a valid license. The most common fake ID is borrowed, and 95% of all ID fraud cases involve borrowed IDs. Borrowed IDs are often obtained by minors from relatives, friends, or strangers. It’s important to check the photo on the ID against the person’s physical description, and the actual drivers license.
Fake IDs are often used by teenagers to gain access to age-restricted establishments. They’re also frequently used to commit credit card fraud. While the back alley transactions that produced fake IDs have been eliminated, the internet and dark web are the two main avenues to obtain a high-quality fake ID.
Another common sign of a fake ID is that it has a hologram. The hologram will be visible when held up to the light. Some fakes also have a false front. It is important to remember that fakes are rarely issued with a back-up ID. If you find a fake ID, make sure to complete the Declaration of Age card and show the real ID.
Luckily, technology is making it much easier to identify fake IDs. There are ID scanners available that can scan the barcode on the ID. ID scanners can now detect over 60% of fakes. It is important to make sure that the barcode on a fake ID is unique and not just a copy of the original.
The most reliable scanning engines have millions of scans and algorithms to make sure they can detect any subtle differences. If the scanning engine is not updated regularly, fake IDs will often pass. Without reliable scanning engines, false positives are inevitable. Using a real ID reduces the liability on the establishment and server. But if the identification is a fake, the server or establishment is liable for crimes such as identity theft or fraud. These crimes can range from a Class B Misdemeanor to a Class D felony.