In the day – to – day operations of gift shops, there are various situations where checking a customer’s driver’s license becomes necessary. This practice is mainly for age – verification purposes, especially when selling items that have age restrictions, such as certain types of collectible alcohol – themed items or tobacco – related souvenirs in some regions.
Initial Visual Inspection
The first step in the process of checking a customer’s driver’s license is a visual inspection. Gift shop employees will carefully examine the front of the license. They will look for key elements such as the expiration date. An expired license may not be a valid form of identification. The license should also have a clear and recognizable state or country seal, which is a security feature to prevent forgery. The name, photo, and date of birth on the license are also compared with the person standing in front of the cashier. The photo should match the customer’s appearance in terms of general features like hair color, eye color, and facial structure.
The physical characteristics of the license itself are also noted. A genuine driver’s license will have certain tactile qualities. For example, it may have raised printing for the name and other important details, which can be felt by running a finger over them. The material of the license should also be of a certain quality and thickness that is typical for official identification documents.
Checking for Security Features
Many modern driver’s licenses come with advanced security features. Some licenses have holograms that are visible under different lighting conditions. These holograms can include images related to the issuing state or country, such as state emblems or specific patterns. Gift shop employees may use a special light source, like a UV light, to check for hidden security features. Some licenses have UV – reactive inks or markings that are not visible under normal light but become apparent when exposed to UV light. These features can help in determining the authenticity of the license.
Another security feature to look for is microprinting. This is extremely small text that is often found on the license and is difficult to reproduce accurately in a forged document. Microprinting may contain information such as the full name of the licensee or other identifying details. By using a magnifying glass, employees can check for the presence and clarity of this microprinting.
Cross – Referencing Information
In some cases, gift shop employees may cross – reference the information on the driver’s license with other details. For example, if the customer is using a credit card for the purchase, the name on the credit card should match the name on the driver’s license. Additionally, if the customer provides a phone number or other contact information, it can be cross – checked with the address on the driver’s license. While this is not a foolproof method, it can add an extra layer of verification.
If the gift shop has a customer database or loyalty program, the information on the driver’s license can be compared with the details already on file for that customer, if applicable. This can help in confirming the identity of the customer and also in ensuring that the customer has not provided false information in the past.
Using Identification Scanners
Some larger gift shops or those in areas with higher security requirements may use identification scanners. These scanners can read the magnetic stripe or the RFID (Radio – Frequency Identification) chip on the driver’s license, if present. The scanner will extract information such as the name, date of birth, and address from the license and display it on a screen for the employee to review. This method is quicker and can also detect if the license has been reported as lost, stolen, or revoked in some systems.
However, it’s important to note that identification scanners are not infallible. Sometimes, the magnetic stripe may be damaged, resulting in an error when scanning. In such cases, the employee will need to rely on other verification methods.
Common Problems and Solutions
- Problem: Blurry or Damaged Photo
Solution: If the photo on the driver’s license is blurry or damaged, the employee should ask the customer for additional forms of identification. This could include a passport, a state – issued ID card, or a military ID. The additional ID should also have a clear photo that matches the customer. If no other ID is available, the employee may choose to contact a supervisor for further guidance. In some cases, the customer may be asked to provide a utility bill or other official document with their name and address to further confirm their identity.
- Problem: Expired License
Solution: An expired license is not a valid form of identification in most cases. However, some states or countries may have grace periods or allow for the use of an expired license for a short time if the renewal process is in progress. The employee should check local regulations regarding expired licenses. If the license is clearly expired and there are no special provisions, the customer should be asked for a valid, non – expired form of identification. If the customer claims to have a valid reason for the expired license but no other ID, the employee may consider making a note of the situation and asking for a signature or other form of acknowledgment before proceeding with the sale, depending on the store’s policy.
- Problem: Suspiciously Altered License
Solution: If the license appears to have been altered, such as changes to the date of birth or name, the employee should not accept it as valid identification. The store should have a policy in place for handling potentially forged or altered documents. This may involve confiscating the license (if legal to do so in the area) and contacting the local law enforcement authorities. The employee should also document the details of the situation, including the time, date, and any interactions with the customer.
- Problem: Incompatible Information on Different Documents
Solution: If the information on the driver’s license does not match the information on other documents provided by the customer, such as a credit card or a loyalty card, the employee should ask the customer for an explanation. It could be a simple error, like a name change that has not been updated on all documents yet. The employee may request additional documentation to support the customer’s claim. For example, if the name on the credit card is different from the driver’s license due to marriage, the customer could be asked to provide a marriage certificate. If the customer is unable to provide a satisfactory explanation or additional documentation, the employee may choose to deny the sale, especially if the item being sold has age – related restrictions.
- Problem: Difficulty Reading Microprinting or Security Features
Solution: If the microprinting is too small to read clearly or the security features are not easily identifiable, the employee should use proper tools such as a high – quality magnifying glass or a UV light source. If the tools do not provide clear results, the employee may consider asking for additional forms of identification. In some cases, the employee may also contact the issuing authority of the driver’s license (if possible) to verify the authenticity of the license based on other means, such as the license number and the customer’s personal information.
Fake ID Pricing
unit price: $109
| Order Quantity | Price Per Card |
|---|---|
| 2-3 | $89 |
| 4-9 | $69 |
| 10+ | $66 |
