Party supply stores often need to check customers’ driver’s licenses for various reasons. One of the main reasons is related to age – verification. Many party supplies, such as alcohol – related items (even if it’s just party – themed shot glasses in some cases) or certain novelty items that may be restricted by age, require the store to ensure that the customer is of legal age.
Initial Visual Inspection
The first step in the process is usually a visual inspection of the driver’s license. The store employee will look at the overall appearance of the license. They check for any signs of tampering or damage. A valid driver’s license should have a smooth surface, clear printing, and proper holographic elements. For example, in most modern driver’s licenses, there are holograms that are difficult to replicate. If the hologram looks blurry, out of place, or is missing, it could be a sign of a fake license.
The employee also examines the photo on the license. The photo should match the person presenting the license in terms of facial features, hair color, and general appearance. Discrepancies such as a different – looking person or a photo that seems to be pasted on can be red flags.
Verifying Personal Information
After the visual inspection, the store staff will then verify the personal information on the license. They check the name, date of birth, and address. The name should match the name on any payment method the customer is using. For instance, if the customer is paying with a credit card, the name on the card should be the same as the name on the driver’s license.
The date of birth is crucial for age – verification. The employee will calculate the customer’s age based on the date of birth on the license to ensure they meet the legal age requirements for the products being purchased. The address on the license can also be cross – referenced with the customer’s billing address if applicable. In some cases, if the address on the license is very old or does not match the information provided by the customer in other ways, it may prompt further investigation.
Using ID Scanners
Many party supply stores also use ID scanners. These scanners can read the magnetic stripe or the RFID (Radio – Frequency Identification) chip on the driver’s license. When the license is scanned, the scanner retrieves a wealth of information such as the customer’s name, date of birth, and sometimes even additional details like the license’s expiration date and issue date.
The scanner can also check the license against a database of known fake or expired licenses. Some scanners have built – in software that can detect if the license has been reported as lost, stolen, or if it is a counterfeit. If the scanner flags the license, the store employee will typically take additional steps to verify its authenticity.
Cross – Referencing with Databases
In some cases, especially if there are doubts about the license’s validity, party supply stores may cross – reference the information on the license with external databases. These databases can include state – run motor vehicle department databases or third – party identity verification services.
When cross – referencing with a state’s motor vehicle department database, the store can confirm if the license is indeed issued by that state and if the details match the records on file. Third – party identity verification services can provide a more comprehensive check, including looking at the customer’s credit history (in a limited way related to identity verification) and other public records to ensure that the person presenting the license is who they claim to be.
Asking for Additional Identification
If the driver’s license raises any red flags during the inspection process, the store may ask the customer for additional identification. This could include a passport, a military ID, or another form of government – issued photo ID.
The additional ID can help confirm the customer’s identity and age. For example, if the photo on the driver’s license looks a bit off but the passport photo matches the person, it can help clear up any confusion. Additionally, if the driver’s license is expired but the customer has a valid passport, it can still be used to verify their identity and age for the purpose of making a purchase at the party supply store.
Common Problems and Solutions
- Problem: Blurry or Damaged License
Sometimes, a customer may present a driver’s license that is blurry due to wear and tear or has visible damage such as a bent corner or a scratched surface. This can make it difficult to read the information clearly or to verify the holographic elements.
Solution: The store employee should ask the customer if they have another form of identification. If not, they can try to use an ID scanner to see if it can still read the magnetic stripe or RFID chip. If the scanner is unable to retrieve the information, the store may need to contact the state motor vehicle department (if possible) to verify the license details based on the visible information such as the license number.
- Problem: Name Discrepancy
The name on the driver’s license may not match the name on the payment method. For example, a customer may have recently gotten married and changed their name on their credit card but not yet on their driver’s license, or vice versa.
Solution: The store should ask the customer for an explanation. If the reason is a recent name change, the customer can be asked to provide additional documentation such as a marriage certificate or a court – issued name – change document. The store can then verify that the person is indeed the rightful owner of the payment method and the license.
- Problem: Expired License
A customer may present an expired driver’s license. While an expired license can still be a valid form of identification in some cases for age – verification purposes, it may raise concerns about the customer’s identity being up – to – date.
Solution: The store should ask for additional identification if possible. If the customer only has the expired license, the store can try to cross – reference the license details with the state motor vehicle department database to confirm the identity and age. If the age is verified and there are no other red flags, the store may allow the purchase, but it should document the situation for its own records.
- Problem: ID Scanner Malfunction
The ID scanner used by the party supply store may malfunction. It could fail to read the magnetic stripe or RFID chip, or it may give false – positive or false – negative results.
Solution: The store should have a backup process in place. This could include manually verifying the license details as much as possible, such as visual inspection and cross – referencing with other available information. If the scanner is frequently malfunctioning, the store should contact the scanner’s manufacturer or service provider to get it repaired or replaced.
- Problem: Suspicious Hologram
The hologram on the driver’s license may look suspicious, either because it is missing, damaged, or does not match the expected design.
Solution: The store employee should immediately stop the transaction and ask for additional identification. The license should be carefully examined for other signs of tampering. If the situation is still unclear, the store may consider contacting local law enforcement to help verify the authenticity of the license, especially if there are strong indications that it could be a fake.
Fake ID Pricing
unit price: $109
| Order Quantity | Price Per Card |
|---|---|
| 2-3 | $89 |
| 4-9 | $69 |
| 10+ | $66 |
