Fake IDs in Pennsylvania
A Growing Problem

Like states across the nation, Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania and is often associated with illegal alcohol purchases by minors and financial fraud.

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Alcohol Sales & Service Guidelines for Pennsylvania

- Minimum age to consume: 21
- Minimum age to serve: 18
- Minimum age to bartend: 18
- Server/seller alcohol training required.

A person under 21 may not purchase alcoholic beverages as part of a law enforcement action.

Penalties for serving or selling to a minor: In Pennsylvania, the minimum fine for selling or giving alcohol to a minor is $1,000 for the first offense and $2,500 for each subsequent offense. This is a third-degree misdemeanor under Title 18, § 6310.1 of the Pennsylvania General Assembly. Other penalties may include: Up to one year in jail, Mandatory driver's license suspension, and Permanent criminal record.

e consequences may be less severe if the vendor was deceived, such as by a minor using a fake ID. However, penalties may be more severe if IDs are not checked thoroughly or at all. Criminal charges may also be reduced if the business is RAMP Certified or the employee is RAMP Server/Seller Trained. 

There is one exception to the law, which applies if alcohol is given to a minor during a religious ceremony or service in a private home or place of worship. In this case, the amount of wine served must be within the amount that is traditionally required as part of the ceremony or service.


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How to Spot a Fake Pennsylvania 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.

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What the I.D. Checking Guide Includes:

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  • 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 Pennsylvania 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.