Fake IDs in Rhode Island
A Growing Problem

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

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Alcohol Sales & Service Guidelines for Rhode Island

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

Alcohol retailers may seize apparently false IDs without fear of prosecution even if the identification is valid.

A person under 21 may purchase alcoholic beverages as part of a law enforcement action.

Penalties for serving or selling to a minor: In Rhode Island, the penalty for first-time adults (21 years or older) who serve or sell alcohol to a minor is a fine of $350–$1,000, up to six months in jail, or both. Second offenses have similar penalties but with a higher fine, and third and subsequent offenses are felonies. Felonies can result in a mandatory fine of up to $2,500 and up to one year in jail.

Other penalties for alcohol-related offenses in Rhode Island include:

  • Transportation of alcohol by a minor

Up to $250 fine and up to 30 days license suspension for a first offense, $500 fine and up to 90 days license suspension for a second offense, and up to $950 fine and one year license suspension for a third offense

  • Possession of alcohol by a minor

Up to $750 fine, 30 hours of community service, and at least 60 days license suspension for a first offense

  • Negligent service of liquor

The defendant may be liable for damages caused by the minor's or visibly intoxicated person's consumption of the liquor 

Businesses with liquor licenses may also face administrative actions, such as additional fines, license suspension, or license revocation. 


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  • 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 Rhode Island 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:

Place Order U.S Book Info
  • 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 Rhode Island 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.