How to Spot a Fake ID

Failing to detect fake IDs and consequently serving underage customers poses a significant risk to both your liquor license and the overall integrity and success of your establishment. That's why it's crucial to thoroughly train bouncers, bartenders, and serving staff on how to properly check IDs and verify their authenticity. We'll go over the various ways to spot a fake ID so you can be sure your bar avoids serving minors.

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Most Common Fake IDs

illustrated hand holding an ID card

The 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 IDs

Borrowed 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 networks.

How to Spot a Borrowed ID:

  • Check for discrepancies between the ID photo and the ID holder.
  • Test the physical description on the ID against the person in front of you.
  • Make sure the license is valid/hasn’t expired.
  • If you feel uncertain that the license genuinely belongs to the person presenting it, check to see if it is a duplicate by looking for your state's duplicate stamp. While a duplicated license doesn’t automatically mean a borrowed license, it is an additional red flag in an already suspicious situation.

2. Forged Fake IDs

A 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

  • Basic ID scanners can identify whether an ID’s barcode is scannable and/or has information encoded. This process is called ID parsing, and it is the quickest way to identify a front forged ID.
  • In most cases, IDs should have rounded edges all the way around. If the ID presented to you has square edges or its edges feel ragged, the ID may have a false front.

How to Spot Front and Back Forged IDs

  • Run the ID through a reputable ID database to confirm that its barcode information is valid.

3. Altered Fake IDs

Usually, an altered fake ID is 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

  • Often, altering an ID will also alter the ID’s security features.
  • Check for changes to the ID’s special color printing, surface texture, and your state’s specific security features.

How to Spot a Fake ID by State

illustrated ID card with the word 'Fake' stamped on it in red

Train 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:

  1. Holograms: IDs have holographic images that become visible when held to the light. Each state has a specific image and knowing yours will help you spot fake IDs.
  2. Cheap Laminate: States apply professional laminate on their IDs to seal their UV imagery and protect the IDs. To see if the ID being presented to you has professional-grade laminate, gently bend the ID card into a “U” shape. When bent, inexpensive, nonprofessional laminate will bubble.
  3. Laser Perforation: IDs have tiny laser-perforated holes forming pictures that aren’t visible to the naked eye until held to direct light. The laser-perforated images are different for each state.
  4. Laser Embossing: Many states emboss their IDs with a laser to raise the plastic on the front of their IDs. The laser embossing doesn’t alter the back of the ID, but it allows you to feel the ID and see if the embossing is present/matches standards.
  5. UV Imagery: While IDs’ UV imagery varies by state, most states include a second, lighter image that only appears when exposed to UV light.

Good Fake Identification Methods

Serving 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 Questions

If 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.

  • Ask them what the middle initial on their ID represents.
  • Ask them to confirm the personal information their ID card contains.
  • Ask them to write their signature and then compare it to the signature on their ID.
  • Bonus: Provide the wrong middle initial or mispronounce their first name and see if they correct you.

While you question the cardholder, look for these red flags:

  • Lack of eye contact
  • Hesitancy answering
  • Nervous body language
  • Defensive responses
  • Eyes rove upwards (a sign that someone is struggling to recall information)

Invest in a Fake ID Detector

As 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.

As you browse fake ID detector options, these are the top features you want your fake ID detector to have:

  • Tests ID barcodes against a trusted ID database
  • Analyzes pixel accuracy
  • Uses both white and infrared light to test the ID’s security features
  • References a broad ID library with identification cards across state lines since many fake ID holders will intentionally use cards from outside your area that your staff is less familiar with
  • Has a magnetic stripe reader that verifies the ID’s information against government departmental databases

How to Check Photo IDs When Customers Are Wearing Face Masks

illustrated girl with mask on

Face masks have become a common sight in public places, so how do you politely card someone wearing a medical mask? Here are some tips to check a customer's ID and confirm their identity if they are wearing a mask:

  • Make sure the person’s eye color matches their ID.
  • While physical features such as weight and hair color can change, it is still useful to examine the person and evaluate whether they resemble their ID photo.
  • If you are uncertain, ask the ID holder questions about their ID.
  • Ask the ID holder to pull down their face mask so you can briefly examine their entire face.
  • If you cannot confidently determine that the masked ID holder matches their card, remember that it is your right to deny the sale of alcohol in good faith. Losing that single sale will cost you far less than losing your liquor license.

How to Reduce Touch Points When Checking IDs

  • Have customers place their ID on a serving tray face up for examination. This allows your staff to inspect it without having to touch it themselves.
  • If the ID seems questionable, pick it up while wearing gloves to examine it.
  • Invest in an ID barcode scanner or smartphone app that allows customers to perform self-scans.

Back to Top

Think You Know How to Spot a Fake ID?

illustrated hand holding a paper that says Time For Review

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.


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.

Posted in: Bars & Breweries|Management & Operation|By Corrinn McCauley
The information provided on this website does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice. Please refer to our Content Policy for more details.
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    Bartending is a complex job that requires employees to juggle multiple tickets at once, upsell customers, facilitate sales, remember complicated drink recipes, and much more. But, having a staff of competent bartenders is essential for ensuring the success of your bar. We'll walk you through all the steps of how to hire a bartender from writing a job description to interview tips, to ensure you find the right candidate for your bar or restaurant. Types of Bartenders There are many different types of bartenders, each with varying levels of education and experience, and not every bartender is the right fit for each bar or establishment. For example, you wouldn't need a highly skilled sommelier or cicerone to serve drinks at your wedding reception or catered event. So, before you start writing up your bartender job description, it's best to know the five main types of bartenders, so you can adjust your expectations and decide which type is best for your business. 1. Bartenders The most common type of employee in the bar industry is a standard bartender. The bartender is responsible for mixing cocktails and taking orders, but they're also responsible for creating a welcoming atmosphere for the customers that helps facilitate sales. The main difference between a mixologist and a bartender is that the mixologist focuses on the cocktails whereas the bartender focuses on the customer and providing an excellent experience. 2. Mixologists Some people think of mixologists as glorified bartenders, but a true mixologist utilizes many skills that set them apart from the rest of the staff. Most mixologists have a background at a bartending school, and they know how to craft new cocktail recipes, create ingredients such as bitters and syrups, and design seasonal cocktail menus. 3. Bar Back Bar back is an entry-level position in a bar, making it ideal for aspiring bartenders with no experience. The bar back works as an assistant to the bartenders by performing tasks such as stocking your bar with alcohol and disposables, prepping mixers and garnishes, and changing kegs. Hiring a bar back is essential for busy bars and restaurants, as they allow your bartending staff to focus on the customer and making drinks. 4. Sommeliers A sommelier is a highly trained employee that specializes in wine. Sommeliers work to create wine lists, suggest wines to individual customers, and train other staff on proper wine service. Due to their years of training and education, hiring a sommelier is very expensive, so you should only consider it if your establishment has an extensive wine list. Additionally, most sommeliers won't handle typical bartending responsibilities, such as mixing cocktails or serving beers. 5. Cicerones Cicerones are bartenders that have completed their Cicerone certification and are experts in the flavors, styles, and service of beer. Cicerones should also have a good grasp on the best type of glass to serve your beer in and good beer and food pairings to suggest to your customers. Additionally, Cicerones may complete other bartending tasks, such as pouring beers, washing glasses, taking orders, and mixing cocktails. Due to their expansive knowledge of beer, hiring a Cicerone is ideal for breweries and bars with a large beer selection. Bartender Skills Bartending is a specialized profession that requires specific characteristics, so when hiring a bartender, there are specific skills that you should look for. Here are some of the main bartending skills your candidate should have: Multi-Tasking: Bartenders need to be able to create drinks while also taking orders and maintaining a rapport with customers. Excellent Time Management: It is important that your bartender can create drinks efficiently without overpouring so customers don't get impatient. Outgoing: Working in a bar requires a certain type of personality, and having an outgoing and compassionate attitude can help create more sales. The ideal bartender should be able to connect with your patrons and make them feel welcome and comfortable. Sales Ability: One of the most important skills for a bartender is sales skill and the ability to upsell customers. Upselling involves suggesting guests choose top shelf liquors or make additional purchases, such as food to accompany drinks. Responsible: In addition to valuable bottles of alcohol, bartenders have access to more money than anyone else in the bar or restaurant. Be sure to check potential applicants' backgrounds to ensure they're someone you can trust. Bartending Safety Certifications When hiring a bartender, you must be sure that your potential employees have all of the necessary safety certifications. If your employees do not have the proper certifications, your business can face fines, increased insurance costs, the loss of your liquor license, or even imprisonment. There are two major safety certifications that you should check for: TIPS and ServSafe Alcohol. ServSafe Alcohol is a branch of ServSafe that was developed by the National Restaurant Association (NRA), and it's designed to prepare bar employees to serve alcohol responsibly. To become ServSafe Alcohol certified, your employees need to read documents, attend a class, and pass an exam. Training for Intervention ProcedureS (TIPS) is a global leader in education and training for the responsible sale, service, and consumption of alcohol. Their goal is to help foodservice industry employees prevent drunk driving, underage drinking, and intoxication in order to keep staff and patrons safe. Similar to ServSafe Alcohol, employees must read documents and pass an exam to become TIPS certified. Additionally, some states have liquor control boards that offer initiatives that teach service industry staff to identify signs of intoxication, detect a fake ID, and handle other alcohol safety-related issues. Writing a Bartending Job Description Once you've outlined what type of bartender you need in your bar or restaurant and what certifications are necessary, you can begin writing a job description. Your job description should have four main sections: the job title, job summary, responsibilities and duties, and qualifications and skills. Job Title: Your job title should include a general term, such as bartender or bar back, so it's easy to find. You can also add additional information such as any qualifications to help weed out under-qualified candidates. Job Summary: Your job summary should give applicants an idea about what type of business you are and what you're looking for to help determine if they'd be a good fit. Responsibilities and Duties: This section is the most important, and it's where you'll outline the duties that you expect the new employee to perform. This should include things like customer service, keeping the bar area clean, making drinks, and handling money. Qualifications and Skills: This section should include education, experience, and certification requirements, such as a high school diploma or bartending school experience. You can also include personality traits and skill requirements, such as excellent interpersonal skills or sales ability. Additionally, you may also want to specify if there will be heavy lifting or dealing with food and alcohol shipments involved. Once you've created your bartender job description, you can post your listing on major job searching sites like Indeed, Craigslist, or Monster. If you're looking for a specialized employee though, such as a sommelier or Cicerone, you can also consider posting your job description on specialized sites. Interview Questions for Bartenders Once you have a few bartending candidates lined up, your next step will be to hold phone or in-person interviews. While you may have some questions in mind, here are some additional questions you should ask potential employees: Have you run a full bar before, or do you only have experience working in a service bar? How can you tell if a customer has had too much to drink? How would you handle a patron that has had too much to drink? Which safety certifications do you have? How do you handle unhappy customers? If a customer is dissatisfied with the flavor or strength of their drink, how would you handle the situation? What was the environment like in your previous bartending position? How do you handle working in a busy and high-stress environment? During the interview, you want to ensure that your potential bartender can handle unruly customers, busy shifts, and unexpected situations. If your candidate passes the interview section, also consider asking them to prepare a few sample cocktails at your bar so you can observe their skills firsthand. The right bartender should blend craftsmanship, technical knowledge, personality, and sales, so it's important that you choose wisely. Additionally, choosing the best candidate can ensure the success of your business and lead to increased sales and more return customers.

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