Fake ID makers use new technology to develop highly "authentic" counterfeits to keep up with contemporary advances in real ID security. The internet has become a popular place to obtain these ID cards. A visual and physical study of the offending ID, as well as knowing what real ID looks like in your community, are the best ways to recognize counterfeits.
- Fake IDs often appear to be granted by a state other than the one in which the ID will be used, in the hope that the person inspecting the ID would be unfamiliar with the pieces out-of-state identity. For example, the presenter will produce a Texas driver's license to enter a pub in Louisiana. An ID reference guide with photographs of different types of IDs from each state, including foreign countries, as well as outlining critical security features to help spot fake IDs, can be purchased .
- Use a feel test. Authentic ID cards are made of sturdy plastic and are not laminated. Authentic IDs do not fray or distort as a result. False IDs are often made with inferior materials and stacked. When fake IDs are handled, they crumble or tear. Bending the border of the ID or attempting to tear it can help you spot a fake ID.
- Compare and contrast security features. A real ID should have flashing holograms. Keep an eye out for holograms that stay on regardless of how much light is reflected off the card. This is a telltale sign of a fake ID. Also familiarize yourself with the holograms on the Louisiana driver's license. The state of Louisiana is represented by four images. Any other hologram on a fake Louisiana driver's license is proof that it is fake.
- Look at the front and back ID. The back of the fake ID should be examined as thoroughly as the front, as the fake ID producer often does not pay as much attention to the back.
- Scan the magnetic strip with your finger. If the ID is genuine, swipe the magnetic stripe should display information such as presenter's age, date of birth , etc When the magnetic stripe is swiped, most fake IDs, even high quality fake IDs, will not recognize the ID or produce a message that the ID cannot be validated.
What happens when you get caught with a fake ID?
- Fines . Fines are a much more common punishment for fraudulent identity crimes, however, the amounts vary widely. A first-time offender with a fake ID could be subject to a fine of up to $1,000 or more, while misdemeanor offenses typically carry reduced fines of $500 or less. Fines of up to $100,000 can be imposed for crimes.
- If you are convicted of an identity fraud crime, you could face jail time. Even though state laws may allow for jail time, it is not generally used as a penalty in cases of fake ID, especially for misdemeanors and first-time offenders. A fake ID can result in up to a year in jail, but a shorter term like 90 days is more common. A false identity card can lead to a year or more in prison, even up to ten years in some cases.
- Probation . For an identity fraud conviction, probation is a usual sentence. When you are sentenced to probation, a judge forces you to follow certain rules for a set amount of time, usually 12 months or more.
