Fake IDs in Virginia
A Growing Problem

Like states across the nation, Virginia is trying to meet the challenge of more fraudulent IDs whether presented in person or by digital image. Many of these fake IDs come from counterfeiters located overseas with sophisticated equipment. As stories below illustrate, fake identification is getting easier to obtain in Virginia and is often associated with illegal alcohol purchases by minors and financial fraud.

Alcohol Sales & Service Guidelines for Virginia

- Age to consume: 21
- Age to serve: 18
- Age to pour: 21
- Age to sell (packaged liquor): No minimum age if an employee at least 21 years –old is present
- Minors allowed on premise? It is unlawful to serve or sell alcohol to anyone under the age of 21. Minors are permitted in any establishment, though establishments can set policies to only admit patrons 21 years or older.
- Penalties for serving or selling to a minor: Class 1 misdemeanor punishable by up to 12 months confinement and/or up to $2500 fine. In addition, any person found guilty of a violation may have his license to operate a mother vehicle suspended for a period of not more than one year.

  • id check during purchase of car
  • police officer checking id
  • identity verification at airline check-in counter
  • bartender verifying id of two patrons

How to Spot a Fake Virginia ID

For law enforcement officers, bank tellers, car rental agents, human resources professionals and others who must verify ID in a professional capacity, the recent surge in fake IDs is challenging. The liability and losses that result from accepting a fake ID are large. The I.D. Checking Guide assists in the ID verification process by showing what an actual, valid ID looks like at full-size, and highlights the details of the licenses, making it much easier to spot the fraud. Before approving an expensive car rental, opening a new bank account or hiring a new employee, make sure the driver’s license or ID card has the correct numbering, UV, microprint, ghost images, expiration, and other details that counterfeiters often miss.

What the I.D. Checking Guide Includes:

  • A full page or more for each U.S. state and Canadian province, showing driver’s licenses and ID cards.
  • Security image information for ghost images, laser perforation, microprint, UV and other validation details.
  • Explanation of what the proper alphanumeric sequencing of a Virginia ID or Driver’s License should be (how many letters, numbers, etc.).
  • U.S. Federal documents including immigration, military ID, Visas and passport cards.
  • “How to check driver’s licenses” techniques for training.