With technology getting advanced with time, the process of manufacturing fake IDs is becoming simpler. Nowadays, underage individuals are mastering using photo-editing software and accessing high-resolution printers. These skills are considered enough to imitate an identity document.
On the other hand, minors often tend to do activities they are prohibited from performing. They usually gain a keen interest in tasting the forbidden fruit. All these reasons are contributing to an increasing number of forgery in businesses. However, the primary reason is that most checking staff are unaware of how to spot fake IDs.
7 Factors to Be Aware of While Verifying IDs
Below, we are shedding light on some common factors that may obstruct the process of ID verifications.
1. Use of the Wrong Technology
One of the most common mistakes that business owners make is investing in the wrong technology. ID scanners with obsolescence technology and inferior quality usually cost less. A low price tag often attracts business owners and influences them to purchase without concentrating on the features.
Sometimes, business owners end up purchasing ID scanners that can either read barcodes or magnetic stripes. The scanner machine may not be designed to decode data from both barcodes and magnetic stripes.
At present, different scanner machines with advanced ID scanning technology are available in the market. Before purchasing, it is essential to list your needs and check if an ID scanner can fulfill them.
2. Variety of Documents
To protect the security of your business, you must be aware of the different types of IDs available for ID verification. A person can show a state identification card, passport card, driver’s license, certificate of citizenship, permanent resident card, etc.
Security guards or the persons checking IDs must be alert of different types of identity documents. They should have a better knowledge of each type of legal document to spot a duplicate one.
3. Complex Holograms
Nowadays, multiple companies help fraudsters by offering high-quality fake IDs that look exactly like the original ones. Many online companies specialize in creating fake driving licenses, which makes it difficult to distinguish them from authentic ones.
Sometimes, these fake IDs also include holograms and UV ink that states use in ID card manufacturing. Your ID-checking staff should be careful about the high-resolution holograms of fake IDs since, at first glance, it may appear legitimate.
4. Error in Calculating Age
Bars and shops selling alcohol and vaping products receive a lot of customers. Sometimes, a long queue of buyers outside the shop can perplex your security checking staff. Errors in calculating the exact age are often caused by a hurry in the ID checking process.
Underaged people take undue advantage of such situations to collect tobacco or alcohol from a shop. They easily trick the puzzled staff and enter the shop by faking their real age.
5. Stolen or Borrowed IDs
Sometimes, underaged people borrow or steal IDs from older siblings, or strangers and attempt to purchase alcohol or other age-restricted products. Since they use a genuine ID, it passes the backlight (UV) scanning test. This is the reason why your checking staff should focus on the discrepancies between the ID holder and the ID photo.
6. Lack of Properly Trained Staff
A large group of people travel daily to different states, and each state has different rules and regulations on age-restricted products and activities. An immigrant or visitor may not be familiar with the age restrictions of your state. Therefore, your ID-checking staff must be aware of your state’s ID security features.
Several forgery cases are there, where the fake IDs have passed the checking tests. It happens due to a lack of properly trained staff. To make your security stronger you must train your guards how to spot fake IDs.
Also, there can be customers with different personalities, including gentle, arrogant, or hostile, outside your shop. Your checking staff must be trained to deal with various kinds of customers.
7. No Records of Past Fraudulent IDs
It is essential to keep records of each fraudulent ID at your business place. Fraudsters may have multiple fake IDs which they can use multiple times to enter your place. Sometimes, a lack of energy or tiredness may lead to avoiding a forged ID.
A modern ID scanner can keep records of all the data of your past visitors. Whenever someone with a history of fraudulent activity tries to enter your place, the scanner machine can show a red flag or an alert sign. It eases the task of your security checking staff.
The Bottom Line
There are different kinds of fake IDs to show during identity verification. They can be altered, borrowed, or newly manufactured. Since many companies help manufacture fake IDs with modern technology, sometimes it becomes difficult to distinguish them from the original ones. These companies also help duplicate diving licenses, making people wonder how to spot fake IDs. However, if you invest in a good ID scanner machine or a driver’s license scanner, you need not worry about forgery cases at your place anymore.