Fake ID makers are using new technology to develop very “genuine” looking fakes to keep up with the contemporary security advancements of actual IDs. The internet has become a popular place to get these identification cards. A visual and physical study of the ID in issue, as well as familiarity with what a true ID in your community looks like, are the greatest ways to recognize fakes.
- Fake IDs frequently look to be granted by a state other than the one in which the ID will be used, in the hopes that the person inspecting the ID would be unfamiliar with out-of-state IDs. For example, the presenter will produce a Texas driver’s license to gain entry to a Louisiana pub. An ID reference guide with photographs of different types of IDs from every state, including foreign countries, as well as describing the critical security elements to help spot false IDs, may be purchased.
- Make use of a feel test. Genuine IDs are constructed of sturdy plastic and are not laminated. Genuine IDs do not unravel or buckle as a result. Fake IDs are frequently manufactured with subpar materials and stacked. When fake IDs are manipulated, they collapse or tear apart. Bending the border of the ID or attempting to tear it apart can help you spot a false ID.
- Compare and contrast security features. A real ID should have holograms that flash in and out. Keep an eye out for holograms that remain lighted no matter how much light is reflected on the card. This is a tell-tale sign of a forged ID. Also, familiarize yourself with the holograms on Louisiana’s driver’s license. The state of Louisiana is represented by four images. Any other hologram on a phony Louisiana driver’s license is proof that it’s a fake.
- Examine the ID from both the front and back. The rear of the fake ID should be examined as thoroughly as the front because the producer of the false ID frequently does not put as much attention into the back.
- Scan the magnetic strip with your finger. If the ID is authentic, swiping the magnetic stripshould display information such as the presenter’s age, date of birth, and so on. When the magnetic strip is swiped, most false IDs, even high-quality fake IDs, will fail to recognize the ID or will produce a message stating that the ID cannot be validated.
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What happens when you are caught with a fake ID
- Fines. Fines are a much more common punishment for fraudulent ID offenses, however, the amounts vary widely. A first-time fake ID offender could face a fine of up to $1,000 or more, while misdemeanor crimes usually carry reduced fines of $500 or less. Fines of up to $100,000 can be imposed for felonies.
- If you’re convicted of a fraudulent ID felony, you could face jail time. Even though state laws may allow for a jail sentence, it is not typically employed as a penalty in false ID cases, particularly for petty offenses and first-time offenders. A misdemeanor fake ID offense can result in up to a year in prison, however shorter time, such as 90 days, is more usual. A felony fake ID offense can result in a year or more in prison, and even up to ten years in some cases.
- Probation. For a fraudulent ID conviction, probation is a usual sentence. When you’re sentenced to probation, a judge requires you to follow certain rules for a set amount of time, usually 12 months or more.
