Responsible service of alcohol requires servers to accurately verify a patron’s age, a task complicated by increasingly sophisticated fraudulent identification. Incorrect age verification exposes the business to significant legal liability, including fines and license suspension, and jeopardizes public safety by enabling underage drinking. For Responsible Beverage Service (RBS) trained personnel, the ability to discern a genuine government-issued document from a counterfeit or altered one is indispensable. Effective ID checking involves systematically examining the document’s physical characteristics, its embedded security features, and the behavior of the person presenting it.
The Context of Responsible Beverage Service
Accurate age verification is a mandatory component of responsible beverage service, a standard developed to mitigate alcohol-related harm. State laws require that any individual who sells, serves, or manages the service of alcohol must possess a fundamental understanding of these regulations.
A failure to verify a patron’s age or a lapse in identifying a false ID can result in substantial administrative penalties for the business license holder. Adhering to rigorous ID checking procedures makes this a core business function. Servers act as the frontline defense against underage drinking and associated risks.
Checking the ID: Knowing Standard Security Features
A server must understand the characteristics of a legitimate identification to recognize the flaws in a fake one. Modern government-issued driver’s licenses and ID cards incorporate multiple layers of security to deter counterfeiting. These features are categorized as overt (visible) or covert (requiring tools to see).
Overt security elements include the hologram, an intricate, three-dimensional image that shifts color and pattern when the card is tilted. Many cards also feature tactile elements, such as raised or embossed print on the date of birth, expiration date, or signature, which can be felt with a fingertip. Counterfeiters often cannot replicate this raised printing.
Covert features require specialized equipment, such as ultraviolet (UV) light. When exposed to a blacklight, invisible ink reveals hidden images, patterns, or text, such as a state seal or a secondary ghost image. Microprinting, which consists of extremely small text integrated into the background design, is a third-level security feature. This text appears as a solid line to the naked eye but requires magnification to read.
Physical and Visual Indicators of a False ID
Lamination and Edges
The construction of a fraudulent ID frequently betrays its authenticity, beginning with the lamination. A genuine card uses fused plastic layers that create a single, solid piece. A fake ID may have a loosely applied plastic overlay that can be easily peeled back at the corners. Servers should feel the card for a smooth, uniform surface and look closely at the edges for uneven cuts or separation lines, which indicate manual cutting and re-lamination. A card that is excessively rigid, flimsy, or noticeably thicker or thinner than a genuine state ID suggests a counterfeit.
Quality of Printing and Photo
Poor print quality is a common flaw in counterfeit documents. The fine lines and intricate background patterns on a real ID are often blurry, pixilated, or bleeding on a fake. Servers should inspect the photo for low resolution, incorrect color saturation, or a lack of seamless integration with the card’s background design. Any misalignment, inconsistent font styles, or misspellings in the card’s text also suggest a fraudulent document.
Data Inconsistencies
The data printed on the ID must be logically consistent and match the physical appearance of the presenter. A server must confirm the person is legally 21 and check that the expiration date has not passed. The information printed on the card, such as the stated height or eye color, should reasonably match the person holding the ID. A significant discrepancy, such as a patron with brown eyes presenting an ID listing blue eyes, is a clear red flag.
Tampered Information
An altered ID is a legitimate document that has been modified, typically to change the birth date. Signs of tampering include scraped or blurred text around the date of birth or expiration date. Servers should look for evidence of correctional fluid, stickers, or a secondary layer of film over a specific data field. Holding the card up to the light may reveal signs of delamination or thinning of the card stock in a single area, indicating the original information was physically removed.
Behavioral Indicators from the Presenter
Beyond the physical examination of the card, the behavior of the person presenting the ID can be a telling indicator of fraud. An individual using a fake ID is often anxious and may exhibit nervousness, such as a lack of eye contact, fidgeting, or quick, jerky movements.
A patron attempting to use a fraudulent document will often try to rush the transaction to minimize the server’s inspection time. They may attempt to keep the ID firmly attached to a wallet or quickly snatch it back after a brief glance. A server can test the presenter’s authenticity by asking simple questions easily answerable from the card, such as their birth year or the address listed. Confusion, hesitation, or an incorrect answer to information printed directly on the document is a strong behavioral cue of a false ID.
The Process of Verification and Refusal
The process of ID verification should begin by asking the patron to remove the ID from their wallet, allowing the server to inspect both the front and back fully. The use of a blacklight or a specialized ID scanner is recommended to check for covert security features and to verify the data encoded in the magnetic stripe or barcode. This systematic check should be performed discreetly but deliberately.
When a server concludes that an ID is false or the person is not the cardholder, the next step is the refusal of service. The server must remain professional and non-confrontational, clearly stating that the transaction cannot be completed because the identification is invalid. If the person has already ordered, the server should offer a non-alcoholic alternative. Documentation of the incident is required to protect the business license. The server should notify management and record the date, time, and reason for the refusal in an incident log.