Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Drink ID Fail: How to spot a fake
Posted by Stephanie Dazey on Wed, Oct 19, 2011 at 12:23 PM
After that magical moment when you become of legal drinking age, it's easy to forget that fake IDs exist. Unless of course you work in the beverage industry like David, a local liquor store employee. According to him, it's business as usual in the fake ID department.
"The penalty for selling to a minor, even unwittingly, is mandatory jail time," David says. Which is why he and his co-workers have made it their business to study up on what official out-of-state IDs look like. It has become an unofficial part of their job description to differentiate between real IDs and their phony counterparts. After sorting through a stack of nearly 50 confiscated fakes, it seems that David and company have become very skilled at their craft. Florida is by far the most common fake state of choice, most likely because of its proximity to Georgia. However, Maryland, Indiana, Texas and a few others seem to be popular choices as well.
Spotting fakes takes experience and attention to detail. "As a general rule," David says, "anything that says 'seal of authenticity' is definitely not real." And as with most things, on the job training is the best way to learn. "As you come across more and more fakes, you start to recognize the patterns and certain triggers for fake IDs."
The number one resource for spotting a fake comes in the form of an illustrated reference guide with up-to-date photos of all current licenses, state-by-state. "I use the guide every so often," David says, "but I'm familiar with quite a few out-of-state IDs at this point."
Ever wonder why you still get carded 10-20 years after you turn 21? "The actual law is that customers have to show you an ID if they are under 35," David says. Despite the law's blatant subjectivity, he says that he has learned how to recognize the telltale signs of maturity. "You wouldn't really see a 20-year-old with salt and pepper hair, but you could see one with a full beard. I look for the real stuff. You can't hide or fake wrinkles and crease lines."
David admits that spotting and confiscating a fake adds a bit of excitement to his day and makes work just a touch more enjoyable. However there is a downside to what he sees as an increasing number of fake IDs in the marketplace: an increase in underage drinking. His advice to the kids out there buying and using fakes? "Slow down, you have the rest of your life to get drunk." Aw, a friendly PSA from your neighborhood booze provider.
Comments (2)
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Rest of your life to get drunk, sure. But there's a relatively small socially accepted window for making bad decisions with 17-20 year olds.
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There is no law in Georgia that requires you to show an ID if you're under 35. He's 100% incorrect.
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