Help Detecting Fake IDs

Checking Identifications

The law states that a customer must be at least 21 years of age to purchase alcohol. There is no legal requirement that a customer show identification, but the best way to verify the customer's age is to request picture identification.

Types of Acceptable ID

The acceptable types of identification for determining age are: valid driver's license issued by any state or Washington, D.C., armed forces identification card, U.S. passport, foreign government visa, or a valid photo identification card issued by Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles. (3 VAC 5-50-20)

Elements of Acceptable ID

In order to be acceptable, an ID should include: photograph of bearer, signature, height of bearer, date of birth and expiration date. (3 VAC 5-50-20)

Unacceptable IDs for Purchasing Alcohol

College/university ID, expired ID, social security card, government work ID, resident alien card, green card, international driver's license, INS border crosser card and INS worker's authorization card.

Virginia IDs

The images described below for each ID can be found at the Department of Motor Vehicles Web site.

A driver's license for someone under 21 will be in a vertical format with printing in red to the right of the picture. The picture states that he or she is under 18 until the date given and under 21 until the date given. The driver's picture is located on the bottom left side looking at the ID. A blue band crosses the top of the license with "Virginia" embedded in it.

The photo identification card will be vertical for underage people and will have the same information in red next to the picture. However, the picture on a photo identification card will be to the right. A purple band crosses the top of all Virginia identification cards with the "Virginia" embedded in it.

A driver's license for someone over 21 will be in a horizontal format and will not have any red printing concerning date of birth. Also, the picture will be on the left when looking at the ID.

A photo identification card for someone over 21 will be horizontal, but the picture will be on the right when looking at the ID.

If a person attempting to purchase alcohol presents a vertical license to you, look extra hard! The person is probably underage!

Second Forms of ID

Used only as tools * Compare them to the first ID * Don't sell if unsure

Examples may include a credit card, social security card, student ID, and a fishing or hunting license. Be careful when accepting any ID as a second form. There are people who will fake another form of ID. Once you have the first type of ID, keep it and then ask for another one. Hold them both together and compare to see if they match.

Types of Fake IDs

False ID - manufactured or computer generated
Altered ID - valid identification that is altered to change critical information
Borrowed ID - valid identification used by another person

Where do they come from?

Internet
Mail-order
Self-manufacture
Friends
Purchase from others
Purchase from other manufacturer

F-L-A-G is a simple way to remember how to properly check IDs

F - Feel

Have the customer remove the ID from their wallet or plastic holder. You may see another ID in their wallet.
Feel for raised edges, glue lines or bumpy surfaces by the photo or birth date. Uneven surfaces often indicate tampering. Feel for cut-out or pasted information.
Check the thickness of the ID. Check to see if it was re-laminated after changing some of the information.

L - Look

Photograph - Does it look like the person in front of you? Hairstyles and makeup can change, so focus your attention on the person's eyes, nose and chin. When checking men with beards or mustaches, cover the facial hair portion of the photo and concentrate on the eyes, nose or ears.
Height and weight - Do they reasonably match the person?
State seal - Is it on the ID and is it in the correct place?
Date of birth - Is the person old enough? Figure the math or look at the "Under 21 Until" portion of the ID.
Age on ID vs. Appearance - Does the person in front of you match the age on the ID?
Expiration date - Is the ID expired? Expired IDs are unacceptable.
Lamination - Are the cuts or corners/edges straight or crooked?

A - Ask

Ask for their middle name, zodiac sign or year of high school graduation. If someone has to think about his or her sign or when they graduated, the ID may be false.
Ask the birth month. If the person responds with a number rather than the name of the month, they may be lying.
If the customer is with a companion, ask the companion to quickly tell you the customer's name. Any hesitation may indicate deception.
Ask the customer to sign his/her name and then compare the signatures to the ID. Sometimes if the ID is false, the customer will sign his or her true name, rather than the one on the ID.

G - Give Back

Give the ID back to the customer and make the sale if the ID is valid.
If the ID is fake or altered, you must return the ID.

Additional Resource

The Drivers License Guide Co. publishes an annual edition of the ID Checking Guide that helps retailers and law enforcement agencies identify fake IDs. Every valid driver's license format is shown in actual size and full color for all 50 states and 10 Canadian provinces. You can order the guide from their Web site or by calling 800-227-8827.