Can Fake IDs Scan? Why Scanning Isn't Enough for ID Verification
Posted on: November 18th, 2025
For anyone working in retail, hospitality, or finance, ID verification has become part of everyday life. Whether you're checking someone's age at a bar or confirming a customer's identity at the bank, a quick scan often feels like the easiest way to tell if an ID is legitimate. But can fake IDs scan?
The short answer is yes, they can.
This is where the I.D. Checking Guide (U.S. & Canada Edition) comes in. By providing detailed, visual references for every state and province, it helps employees recognize fake IDs that might otherwise slip through. Scanners can read the encoded data, but only trained eyes can confirm authenticity.
How ID Scanning Works, and What It Actually Checks
When an ID is scanned, the device reads the information on the magnetic stripe or barcode. That data includes what's printed on the card: name, birth date, ID number, and expiration date. Scanning technology can verify that the data is formatted correctly, and more expensive models match the details shown.
However, scanners don't check how the card was made or whether it's government-issued. They simply read data. So if a fake ID is encoded properly, it can "pass" a scan even though it's counterfeit. And if the barcode or stripe is damaged, dirty, or misaligned, a legitimate card might fail.
The Risks of Relying Only on Scanning Technology
A working tool that can scan IDs can provide a false sense of security. If an ID "passes," staff might assume it's real, but scanning alone can't verify all the features that make an ID valid.
Fake IDs that scan can still contain:
- Incorrect microprinting
- Missing holograms or UV-reactive designs
- Inaccurate card material or texture
- Altered photos or substituted personal data
When a business relies only on automated scanning, it risks accepting sophisticated fake IDs scanners show as valid but aren't. The consequences can be serious. Fines for selling alcohol to minors, financial fraud, or even access breaches in secure facilities.
Scanning technology can help with speed, but it can't replace human judgment and proper ID verification.
How to Build a Layered Approach to ID Verification
A properly ventilated attic keeps your home safe from mold; similarly, a properly layered ID verification system keeps your business safe from fraud. You need multiple safeguards working together, not just one.
Here's what that layered approach looks like in practice:
- Visually inspect the card. Look for the correct security measures like microprinting, holograms, raised lettering, and color-shifting ink. These are difficult to fake accurately.
- Use light inspection. Under white light, you'll notice surface texture and color variation. UV light reveals security patterns invisible to the naked eye. Both help confirm whether the card is genuine.
- Compare with a trusted reference. The I.D. Checking Guide (U.S. & Canada) provides high-resolution images, lists of security features, and format details for every jurisdiction. Staff can confirm what's real before making a decision.
That final layer, expert visual comparison, is what keeps "IDs that pass the scan" from getting past you.
What to Do When a Scan and Visual Check Don't Match
Sometimes, an ID may scan perfectly but still look suspicious. Maybe the photo doesn't quite match the holder, or the card's texture feels off. When that happens, trust your training.
Pause the transaction or sale. Politely ask for a second form of identification. If the person refuses or seems nervous, follow your organization's escalation policy. For alcohol service, that may mean declining the sale. For financial or facility access, it might mean alerting a supervisor or security officer.
The important thing is consistency, the same steps, every time. Verification systems only work when employees know what to do and have the tools to do it.
Why the I.D. Checking Guide Is Still the Most Reliable Tool
While scanners have a place in verification, they can't replace visual expertise. The I.D. Checking Guide (U.S. & Canada Edition) provides side-by-side images and lists of security features for every state, territory, and Canadian province.
These guides show:
- Where holograms and microprinting should appear
- What the UV patterns look like
- The correct layout for date of birth, ID number, and expiration
- Which designs are used for vertical versus horizontal licenses
That means even if a fake ID is encoded to scan, staff can still catch it by comparing those visual cues. When paired with your normal verification systems, the I.D. Checking Guide gives you a complete picture, not just a data readout.
The Importance of Training and Confidence
Even the best tools don't help if employees don't know how to use them. That's why many organizations combine the I.D. Checking Guide with in-house or regional training. Giving staff time to practice using light sources, reference materials, and visual checks builds confidence and consistency.
The goal isn't to turn every bartender or teller into a forensics expert. It's to help them feel sure about their decisions. With the right process in place, you can protect your business, your license, and your community without slowing down service.
Can Fake IDs Scan FAQs
Can fake IDs scan successfully?
Yes, some can, especially those with encoded magnetic stripes or barcodes. However, that doesn't make them valid. Scanning checks data formatting, not authenticity.
What's the best way to detect fake IDs that scan?
Compare the card's security features against the examples in the I.D. Checking Guide and check the person's physical characteristics. Use white or UV light if available.
Does scanning help with age verification?
It can confirm dates of birth quickly, but a scanner can't tell if the ID itself is fake. Always combine scanning with visual inspection.
Do all government-issued driver's licenses have the same security measures?
No. Every state and Canadian province designs its own features. The I.D. Checking Guide U.S. & Canada Edition details these differences so your team knows what to look for.
Can visual verification really catch sophisticated fake IDs?
Yes. Even high-quality forgeries often miss details, such as misaligned microprinting, incorrect UV patterns, or wrong texture. Those small discrepancies stand out when you know what to check.
Protect Your Business with the Right Tools
Technology can make ID checks faster, but only knowledge and attention make them accurate. Scanners can't catch every fake, but you can.
The I.D. Checking Guide (U.S. & Canada Edition) gives you the confidence to verify IDs accurately, recognize missing security features, and stay compliant with your local laws.
Empower your team with the industry's trusted reference for more than 50 years and keep fake IDs from getting past your door.
Order your I.D. Checking Guide today and make sure every ID check counts.
