By Lucy Wyndham
Bernie’s Wine and Liquors in West Fargo (100 Sheyenne Street) has recently implemented forensic ID scanners in a bid to strengthen business security and stop minors from purchasing alcohol with fake IDs. The technology has been provided courtesy of West Fargo Police and Fargo Cass Public Health as part of a new program designed to put a stop to the growing problem of underage drinking. Bernie’s Wine and Liquors is the first West Fargo business so far to adopt the technology, which has an impressive 98% accuracy rate.
Accurate ID checks in under five seconds
The forensic ID scanner works fast to check the authenticity of a customer’s ID. In just under five seconds, the technology performs a fifty-point inspection of the ID card and checks it for a number of genuine key features, such as, micro printing, UV ink, and laser perforations. In fact, forensic scanners are a great alternative to traditional barcode scanners, which are fast-becoming outdated and ineffective. “What we are finding is that they (barcode scanners) are no longer accurate in detecting fake IDs”, said Tom Volk, a Drug Prevention Specialist with the North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services (NDHHS). “The barcode scanners are only two-dimensional, whereas the forensic scanners conduct a 40- to 50-point inspection on the ID and looks at multiple security features on the ID itself”.
Scanners loaned to local businesses for free
West Fargo Police and Fargo Cass Public Health jointly purchased several forensic ID scanners under the new program, at an approximate cost of $5,300 per scanner, according to the West Fargo Police Department. The scanners will now be loaned out to West Fargo businesses completely free of charge. This is made possible by a grant provided by the North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services Behavioral Health Division. “The fake IDs found in our region are increasing in quality while becoming easier to obtain for underage individuals,” said West Fargo Police Chief Pete Nielsen. “The addition of the scanners is a great tool for our local liquor establishments to consistently identify fraudulent ID cards.”
How to spot authentic IDs
Security staff and those who serve alcohol at Fargo establishments are required to take the North Dakota Safety Council’s server training course, which teaches them how to spot the differences between real and fake IDs. “One way to spot a fake ID is to take the ID, feel the texture and compare the photo to the person”, explains Safety Council Training Director Don Moseman. “Certain facial features don’t change, including the size of ears and the position of laugh and nose lines”. Notably, there are roughly 600 valid designs of state ID cards across the U.S., with CR-80 cards being the most common size. Also known as “credit card size”, CR-80 cards can potentially be an indicator of authenticity as they’re the most widely recognized and used card size. In addition, discrepancies in the size of text on the card can also signal a fake. Photos and holograms should also look legitimate and be in the correct place.
Business ramifications of serving alcohol to minors
North Dakota has strict laws about selling alcohol to people under 18, and businesses who violate these laws will face financial and legal consequences. A licensee caught selling alcohol to minors faces a Class 1 misdemeanor, which may result in a year’s jail time and/or a fine of $2,000. In addition to legal and financial ramifications, the act of selling alcohol to minors, even if unintentionally, can cause serious damage to business reputation. In fact, businesses with a single negative news story published about them typically lose at least 22% of potential customers, whereas businesses with four or more negative news articles can lose up to 70% of prospective customers. These ramifications serve to highlight the importance of using technology to catch fake IDs and strengthen overall business security.
A total of eight forensic ID scanners have been purchased by West Fargo Police and Fargo Cass Public Health, and will be distributed to businesses across the city. If the demand for the technology increases, a rotating schedule will be put in place, so all businesses can benefit, said Nielsen.