Everything You Need To Know About Fake IDs

When in college, it seems as if the age limit on drinking disappears. This makes sense; you’re on your own, nobody’s there to tell you not to have a glass of wine when you put on The Bachelor. It’s a time of new found independence and sometimes, with that comes alcohol. There’s just one problem — the law. Here’s everything you need to know about fake IDs:

How are you supposed to get your hands on that $6 bottle of Pinot? Asking people of age to make trips to the liquor store for you gets old after a while, (on both ends). You start to think to yourself, ‘if only I had a fake ID, a golden ticket into acquiring all things alcohol…’

Take it from me when I say it’s a dangerous game buying and using a fake ID. You know what they say, “with great power comes great responsibility,” and in this case, the consequences may be even greater.

Luckily for you, I am here to tell you the cold, hard, truth about these seemingly magical pieces of plastic. So let’s break it down, step by step, and figure out if you’re ready to channel your “inner McLovin” with a fake ID or not.

1. Reflect on whether or not a fake ID is right for you.

This step might seem boring and preliminary, but it’s important to REALLY think about whether or not a fake ID is right for you. Think about when your actual 21st birthday is — is it coming up? Are you closing in on the land of legality? If so, a fake ID might not be worth it for you.

Another thing to think about is your personality. A shy, more reserved person may not have much luck using a fake ID. When you hand your ID card to a cashier at a liquor store or a bouncer at a bar, you’re going to have to keep it together and confidently act the part. If you don’t do well under pressure, get nervous easily, or have been told you’re a bad liar; you might want to let this one go and find another alternative.

No matter what kind of fake ID you have, you need to be as confident using it as your are using your real ID. There shouldn’t be any question as to whether or not this is your actual identity (even though you know it’s not!).

Think you can handle that? If so, then on to what happens in Step 2…

2. Acquiring the “goods” (Aka your ID).

This step is probably the most complicated, and requires a lot of thought, research, and knowing the “right” people.

The best suggestion I can offer is to find someone that’s of age who looks like you and who’d be willing to pass down their actual license to you, once it expires, etc. This is the holy grail of fake ID “options” because it won’t appear as fake and will pass any black light or scanning test that IDs are subject to before allowing entrance to a club or bar.

Often times, a bouncer will insert your ID into a scanner that will blow up the front and back of the card so they can:

1. Check the birth date
2. Compare the picture to your face
3. Make sure the license hasn’t expired
4. Check other relevant information

In the above scenarios, it’s important to make sure you are confident, and that your ID donor ACTUALLY looks like you. (A lot like you…) It’ll be easy enough to tell you’re a phony when someone else’s picture is blown up right in front of you.

If you aren’t lucky enough to get your hands on a real ID, there’s hope for you yet. There are companies that make a living on making fake IDs for desperate alcoholics like us. They can cost anywhere from $60 to upwards of $150 depending on the quality and where it comes from. In these cases, they’ll ask for a picture of you against a plain white or light blue background, the information you want on the ID, along with a picture of your signature.

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Whether you chose to put your own name on the ID is your call; On one hand, it may work to your advantage because you already have “backup” with your name on it (i.e. credit or debit cards, student ID, AAA card).. But on the other hand, getting caught with a fake ID that has your real name can be BAD news. If the ID gets confiscated, the authorities will have your name and photo as follow up, and you will be subject to suffer the consequences.

Choosing a state is crucial when ordering a fake ID. Some states’ licenses are easier to replicate than others, however, liquor stores and bars are also aware of this and know which states’ IDs are most prevalent in fakes. Massachusetts, for example, has an extremely intricate design with certain distinguishable features that are nearly impossible to duplicate accurately. New York is also difficult, as its license is printed on a specific type of card.

3. Actually using fake IDs.

Much like the force, once you have your new ID, you must learn how to wield it properly. You’re going to want to take baby steps and give your new ID an initial chance casually, before you bust into the hottest and most exclusive bars and clubs. Chinese and other ethnic restaurants as well as smaller restaurants are often the most lax on carding, and often times the wait staff is not as well trained to spot a fake ID. Using your fake to order a casual drink when you are out to dinner with your parents isn’t a bad idea either, since you appear far less suspicious.

Tip: Avoid places in your hometown or where you may run into people you know and who know you aren’t 21 yet. There’s nothing worse than having a neighbor or one of your parents’ friends blowing up your spot, or worse, telling your parents.

As you continue to use your fake ID, you’ll become more confident and be able to feel out where you can and cannot use it. It is important to reiterate that this is all a game of chance, so may the odds be ever in your favor.

*Please note that we strongly discourage students from getting a fake ID and drinking underage as it is against the law.*