Detecting Fake, Altered or Borrowed IDs

Fake IDs, such as driver’s licenses and state ID cards, will often look similar to real IDs but will have different sizes, thicknesses, or colors.

Fake IDs will often have numbers and letters that are fuzzy, of different sizes, typeface, or placement.

The front of a counterfeit ID is often very detailed and may be difficult to distinguish from a real ID, but the reverse side is often simply photocopied and easy to recognize as fake.

The photograph on a counterfeit ID is likely to be of poorer quality than a motor vehicle ID. The subject in the photo may have red-eye, and the background may be of different color than a legitimate ID. Shadows or shading may be present.

Maine Drivers License and State ID cards have the following characteristics:

New Credit Card Style Documents:

• Reduces peeling laminate found on old cards
• Photo with ghost image for comparison
• Red or Blue frame around photo indicates over or under 21 when issued (Red= under 21)
• Date of birth runs through the base of the ghost image
• The word “Maine” runs across the base of the card and through the base of the photo
• Minors cards have the date that the holder turns 21, printed at the base of the card
• 2 Barcodes on the rear of the cards
• ID-only cards have the photo on the left side of the card; Drivers license photos are located on the right side of the card

Old Laminate-Style ID Cards

• The person’s signature is in blue or black ink
• The State seal is half on the photo and half on the information section of license or ID
• There is a two digit code number located above or below the State Seal
• The Secretary of State’s signature is along the top of the photo, partially on the photo, and partially on the white portion of the license or ID
• The backdrop behind the person’s photo is blue.
• Red writing around the information section indicates the person was under 21 when the license or ID was issued.
• Altered IDs may exhibit signs of tampering in one or more places, including the numbers, the photograph, and the laminate. The birth date, driver's license number, height, and weight may be scratched or bleached out and inked over or cut out and reinserted. If altered, the numbers may be bumpy.

A photograph with bumpy surfaces or rough edges may have been inserted over the original. Because many states place their seal over the photograph, an ID altered in this manner would cover part of the seal.

Changes in the card's laminated cover often indicate tampering. It may contain glue lines or rough edges, especially near the photograph. Altered numbers may not match up after the laminate is put back into place. A shadowy or cloudy image on the card means that a new laminate covers the original.

Oftentimes, minors borrow identification from individuals who can drink legally. Although appearances change, even subtle differences between the subject presenting the ID and the photograph and/or the physical description data on the card should be questioned.

Weight and hair color are easily changed. Eye color, however, rarely changes significantly. Height can obviously increase, but if the license indicates someone taller than the person presenting the ID, it should be refused.

Expired licenses should not be accepted as they are often borrowed IDs. Some states indicate that an ID is a duplicate with the letters “DUPL.” Duplicate IDs should be closely scrutinized for other signs of tampering.

Ask an odd question such as “What is your zodiac sign?” if you question that an ID belongs to the person presenting it. They will probably know the birth date indicated on the ID, but will be caught off guard and unable to answer your question if it is not their true date of birth.

Counterfeit IDs, especially ones purporting to be from out-of-state, often have some sort of image that conveys the idea that it is real: a padlock or key hologram or image on the laminate. Other indicators are words such as “Valid,” or “Official.” IDs that have such markings are rarely legitimate.

There are a number of machines that read the magnetic stripe or bar code on the back of state, government and military IDs. When you swipe an ID with a magnetic stripe or bar code, it reads the name, address, date of birth and other information embedded. Many devices will relay this information to a PC using its software or will print out the information.