How to catch fake ids?

Question

I just started as a bouncer at a club and a ton of college kids go here using fake ids. The problem is a ton of these fakes look exactly like the real ones, scan, have barcodes etc so I can't tell the difference. Do you have any suggestions on questions I can ask and body language tips I should look for when I think a student might have a fake id? Thanks! I'd ask my supervisor but he doesn't really know what he's doing so he's not helpful.

Plus, I've heard of bouncers getting sued and fired when they take real ids so I really want to know for sure that it's fake when I take it.

Answer 1

There are "bar books" that have pictures of all states' IDs and will tell you specific things to look for on each ID. Obviously it takes a lot of studying to get all 50 states IDs down. Probably smart to focus mostly on IDs from the states that surround the state you are in since you'll usually see more of them.



No matter how hard you study there will always be really good fakes out there. You're not going to get arrested or fired for being fooled by a really good fake ID that scanned. You will, on the other hand, get in trouble for taking a real ID so you should never take one unless you are 100% positive. I don't really know why you would take one in the first place. In my experience in college, most bouncers would just give it back and say "no" if they spotted a fake. They wouldn't take it away.



Anyway, asking the person to say their zip code or their birthday is a pretty common thing bouncers will do, since the info on their fake ID will be different from their real driver's license. If they hesitate or can't answer then that's obviously a red flag. Now, obviously, lots of kids are smart enough to know bouncers do this and they will memorize the information on their fake. But some won't.



Asking for a second form of ID is another thing that can weed out a lot of fakes because relatively few people get fake IDs with their real name on them. Obviously it's not reasonable for you to expect people to have another official form of photo ID on them, but it is fair to expect them to have at least a credit card or school ID with their name on it and you can make sure the names match.

Answer 2

Most places check them with a UV light. I am told that most fake ID do not have the UV ink.

Answer 3

First of all, ask your manager what YOUR liability is if someone has a fake ID that scans. You can't normally get in trouble if the person has a fake that most people would assume was real - they are the ones who would get in trouble



If you are suspicious, you could lie and say that their ID wouldn't scan and you can't let them in. There is nothing illegal about preventing someone from entering the property. If they keep arguing, just tell them you are sorry but since the ID doesn't scan, you are unable to let them in and they need to contact the DMV to find out why it doesn't scan.

Answer 4

1. If someone seems suspisios ask them there date of birth, then ask them how old they are.. The math could stump them

2. Look to see if tthey have other forms of I'd in there hand if so they were waiting for you to tell them its fake and they would show you how there other ids march name and picture.

3. Fakes are usually out of state ones so be cautious when you get those especially if there friends are all from the same state. People usually buy ids in groups



Good luck

Answer 5

You need to press hard if if breaks its a fake