How to Spot a Fake ID

Identity fraud is a growing concern in the rental industry—and for good reason. According to the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC), reports of bogus government ID creation increased by 68% last year—a trend expected to continue.

And as generative AI grows in popularity, fraudsters have more easily accessible tools to create AI-generated IDs and realistic identification, making it increasingly difficult to spot fake IDs.

For property managers, that could mean serious challenges. Fraudulent tenants can cause significant financial, safety, and legal issues, leaving you scrambling to protect your properties and maintain a secure rental business. 

We’re breaking down how to spot a fake ID, including key features to look for, ID verification steps, what to do if you suspect an ID is fake, and preventative measures to protect your business.

Understanding the Types of IDs Accepted

As a property manager, you should know what constitutes an acceptable form of ID  and how to check an ID’s legitimacy. You’ll want to request some form of government-issued identification during the tenant screening process to:

• Verify tenants are who they say they are
• Conduct background or credit checks
• Cross-check information against other documents

Not sure which forms of ID you can trust or what to look for? We’ve rounded up the different types of acceptable identification and crucial features to determine whether an ID is legitimate.

Commonly Accepted Forms of Identification

A reliable and trusted form of identification typically includes personal information about prospective tenants—like their name, address, photo, and ID number. Common IDs include:

• Driver’s licenses
• State-issued IDs
• Passports
• Government or military IDs

Key Features to Look for on Legitimate IDs

Some tenants can dupe property managers by submitting identification that has been partially or wholly forged, doctored, or stolen. But a few specific attributes can help distinguish legitimate IDs from fake IDs. 

Here’s what to look for:

Personal information: The tenant’s full name, date of birth, and address should be listed—regardless of the form of ID. Cross-check this information against other application documents submitted to confirm the data matches.

ID photo: The photo should be clear, centered, and resemble the person in front of you. Some IDs include physical descriptors, like height, weight, hair color, and eye color. Compare this information against the photo to decipher whether it’s legitimate.
Issue and expiration dates: Check for unrealistic or invalid issue or expiration dates. If the ID has expired, it’s not an acceptable form of identification for tenancy.

Holograms: Most forms of ID use holograms to differentiate legitimate IDs from forged ones because they’re expensive and difficult to reproduce. Holograms use three-dimensional effects you can see with your naked eye.

Microprinting: A common security feature on genuine IDs, microprinting uses microscopic patterns that aren’t easy for fake ID manufacturers to reproduce. You can typically see these patterns only with a magnifier.

UV ink and UV watermarks: Ultra-violet (UV) ink is a security feature commonly used in driver’s licenses and state-issued IDs. You can only see these markings with a UV light.

Barcodes and magnetic strips: Authentic IDs contain encoded barcodes and scannable magnetic strips, offering an extra layer of security that’s hard to replicate.

Textured or raised design elements: Many forms of ID use textured materials, such as raised ink or specific design features, to determine if an ID is authentic.

Common Signs of a Fake ID

With identity fraud on the rise, staying on top of common fake ID tactics is paramount. Here’s what to look out for and how to spot a fake ID.

Physical Appearance of the ID

The physical appearance of an ID can be a giveaway that it’s fraudulent. Government-issued IDs have unique physical characteristics that are hard to reproduce. Common signs of fake IDs include:

Poor-quality printing or uneven colors. IDs should have smooth, bubble-free lamination and quality coloring. ID cards are composed of high-quality polycarbonate—not the cheaper plastics many fake IDs use. Passports use quality paper that isn’t overly glossy or flimsy. If an ID feels cheaply made or shows signs of uneven printing, it might be a fake.

 

Misaligned text, blurry images, or incorrect fonts. Real IDs maintain consistent fonts and alignment throughout, so if you notice visible inconsistencies in the formatting, images, or fonts, it’s likely a fake. Compare the ID with a genuine one to spot physical differences.

 

Missing or altered holograms, watermarks, microprinting, or barcodes. Authentic IDs often have holograms or watermarks that change appearance when viewed from different angles. Fake IDs lack these markings and have static holograms or blurry watermarks. If you encounter an ID with visibly missing or altered security features, it’s fraudulent.

Details on the ID

Specific details on an ID can signal that you’ve come across a fake. Fraudulent IDs commonly have:

A mismatched photo or physical description that clearly differs from the person in front of you—like differences in eye color or height

Incorrect issuing state or a nonexistent state seal for state-issued IDs.

Suspicious address details, like non-residential addresses or nonexistent addresses altogether

Tampering and Alterations

Synthetic identity fraud is an increasingly common method of ID fraud that combines real and fake information to construct a new realistic identity. Synthetic IDs usually show signs of tampering and alterations, like:

Signs of editing. Look out for raised edges, smudges, or peeling lamination

 

Overlapping text or photos. These can signal an ID is fake but these small details can be hard to spot with the naked eye

4 Steps to Verify an ID

Now you know how to spot a fake ID—but do you know how to verify one? As a property manager, you’ll need to implement a standardized approach to ID verification to minimize the risks that come with identity fraud.

Here are a few steps you can take to safeguard your rental business from falling victim to tenant fraud.

1. Visual Inspection

First, look for visible signs that the ID is legitimate. Spend a few moments analyzing the ID for noticeable indicators of fraud, tampering, or alterations. During each inspection, you should:

• Feel the ID’s composition, texture, edges, and quality
• Inspect the ID’s coloring, printing, and image quality
• Compare the applicant’s face to the photo and physical descriptors on the ID
• Check for consistency in formatting, text, holograms, and watermarks

2. Technical Checks

Just because an ID looks real doesn’t mean it is. Some security features are difficult for fraudsters to replicate, so conduct technical ID checks to confirm an ID’s security and validity by: 

• Using a UV light to examine security features, such as invisible ink and watermarks
• Scanning the ID barcode or magnetic strip to confirm its validity

3. Cross-Referencing Information

Once an ID has passed your visual and technical checks, cross-reference the information on the ID for final verification. To confirm a tenant’s true identity and protect your business from synthetic fraud attempts:

• Match ID details with other provided documents, ensuring their legal name, address, photo, and date of birth match
• Verify the address listed on the ID with public records or databases

4. Seek Expert Assistance

As a busy property manager with multiple rentals in your portfolio, it can be challenging to ensure fraudulent tenants don’t slip through the cracks. Consider using digital ID verification tools or third-party services to quickly and accurately verify an ID.

What to Do if You Suspect a Fake ID

Wondering what to do if you suspect a tenant’s ID is fake? Don’t panic—we’re sharing what to do next and how you can protect your business from legal mishaps.

Initial Actions to Take

Although you may suspect an ID is fake, it’s important to address the issue with the tenant before reporting the incident or accusing them of identity fraud. As soon as you suspect fraud:

• Politely request additional identification documents
• Inform the applicant of inconsistencies without making accusations
• Document the issue and escalate it to the appropriate team

Legal Considerations

When you spot a fake ID, there are several legal steps you’ll need to consider to report identity fraud while maintaining legal compliance. Understanding the fair housing laws and regulations you’re bound to as a property manager is vital.

The Fair Housing Act (FHA) protects applicants from discrimination based on sex, race, color, national origin, religion, disability, and family status. Missteps in the ID fraud reporting process can become misconstrued as discriminatory acts. To combat this, make sure you:

• Use a standardized screening process to avoid bias
• Keep detailed records of all actions and communications

Make sure any sensitive data you collect during the application process is stored securely and solely used for screening purposes. Familiarize yourself with data privacy laws, like the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), which requires you to protect tenant information. 

These preventative measures can help you avoid accusations of discriminatory practice, mishandling data, or expensive lawsuits.

Consult with legal counsel to ensure you follow the right steps to protect yourself and your business from liabilities. Then, gather any evidence that supports your belief that the tenant’s ID is fake. Report the incident to local law enforcement or the appropriate authorities.

Preventative Measures for Property Managers

You can minimize your risks of tenant fraud by establishing strong ID verification protocols within your tenant screening process. Safeguard your rental business by taking proactive measures, like:

• Training staff to recognize fake IDs and other fraudulent documents
• Investing in technology for automated ID verification
• Establishing clear tenant application guidelines to deter fraud

Safeguard Your Business with ID Verification

As ID fraud continues to surge in the rental industry, you’ve got to do your due diligence when screening prospective tenants. Having a robust ID verification protocol in place can protect your properties and prevent fraudulent tenants from causing financial and legal harm.

ID verification may seem cumbersome, but with the right tools and knowledge, fraud detection can be simple to manage. By staying updated on industry best practices for ID verification and embracing technology, you can learn how to spot a fake ID, streamline verification, and train team members on the signs and dangers of ID fraud.