In the highly saturated food service industry, establishments that sell alcohol have a competitive edge. In 2019 alone, beer sales produced nearly $35 billion, and spirit sales brought in over $29 billion. Bars and breweries may be the most reliant on alcohol sales, but even full-service restaurants make up to 25% of their income from the sale of alcohol. The key to unlocking the profitable liquor sales sector is obtaining a liquor license, and the biggest threat to your liquor license is failing to spot fake IDs and serving minors. Show
We’ve created a comprehensive fake ID guide to teach you the following: Download our Fake ID Spotting Checklist PDF From developing alcohol delivery services to creating takeaway cocktail kits, restaurants and bars have pioneered new strategies to operate during the COVID-19 pandemic. Maintaining proper social distancing and following CDC guidelines makes carding guests challenging but not impossible. We explain how you can maintain social distancing and identify masked guests below. How to Check Photo IDs When Customers Are Wearing Face Masks
How to Reduce Touch Points When Checking IDs
Back to Top Most Common Fake IDsThe three most common fake IDs are borrowed IDs, manufactured fake IDs, and forged IDs. Understanding each type of fake ID will help you spot them when you come across them. 1. Borrowed IDsBorrowed fake IDs are the most common fake IDs, with approximately 95% of ID fraud cases coming from borrowed IDs. Minors gain borrowed IDs from older siblings, friends, and strangers within their personal networks. How to Spot a Borrowed ID:
2. Forged Fake IDsA forged ID is any identification made to create a false identity. Forged IDs come in two forms: front forged IDs and front and back forged IDs. As their name suggests, front forged IDs appear legitimate on the front, but their barcodes are either unscannable or won’t show encoded information when scanned. Normally, front forged IDs supply stolen personal information and a photo of the forged ID holder. As technology advances, so do fake IDs. Over 60% of forged IDs not only appear legitimate on the front, but they also have barcodes encoded with matching information. How to Spot Front Forged IDs
How to Spot Front and Back Forged IDs
3. Altered Fake IDsUsually, altered fake IDs are the genuine ID of the person presenting it with partially changed information. Underaged persons will alter the date of birth on their ID to gain access to bars and purchase alcohol. Spotting altered IDs at the door can help you run a successful bar. How to Spot Altered IDs
Back to Top How to Spot a Fake ID by StateTrain your staff on how to spot a fake ID in your state by familiarizing them with your state’s ID security features. Here are the top things to look out for:
Back to Top Good Fake Identification MethodsServing minors alcoholic beverages is a criminal offense and should be avoided at all costs. Beyond the specific ways to identify the three most common types of fake IDs and knowing your state's ID security features, there are universal fake identification methods your business can apply. Your staff should know how to question ID holders, and your business can benefit from fake ID detection technology. We provide a list of questions that draw out an ID holder and help you determine if their ID is fake, and we also show you what features to look out for when choosing fake ID detection technology. Fake ID QuestionsIf you suspect that an ID is fake, ask the ID holder questions. If they don't know the answers or get nervous, you probably have a fake ID on your hands. Here are some questions you can ask the cardholder to help determine if their ID is fake.
While you question the cardholder, look for these red flags:
Invest in a Fake ID DetectorAs fake IDs become more advanced and harder to spot, investing in fake ID detection technology is a proactive strategy for your bar or restaurant. There are fake ID detector apps and fake ID detector machines to help your staff spot ID fraud. Shop All ID ScannersAs you browse fake ID detector options, these are the top features you want your fake ID detector to have:
Back to Top Think You Know How to Spot a Fake ID?Now that you've learned all about fake IDs and how to spot them, it's time to test your knowledge. Answer the questions below to see if you're ready to spot fake IDs or if you need to review this resource some more.
Click to Reveal Answer Correct Answers:
Click to Reveal Answer Correct Answers:While it's easy to hurry through the ID checking process, particularly during busy nights such as Blackout Wednesday, failing to spot a fake ID can cost you your liquor license. Too many businesses face stiff penalties because they failed to train their staff on how to spot a fake ID. Use this blog as a guide for safeguarding your business against the blows of heavy fines, or worse, a lost liquor license.
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