March 10, 2025

How to Spot a Fake US Passport

Briana Ings

Chief Product Officer

ID fraud poses numerous challenges and risks for property managers. For one, a fraudulent tenant can wreak financial havoc on your rental business—costing you thousands of dollars in unpaid rent, legal fees, and other charges. It can also cause significant safety and legal implications that put your properties at risk.

Protecting your business from fraud starts with knowing what to look for. We’re breaking down the ins and outs of ID verification, including how to spot a fake US passport, what to do if you suspect a tenant’s passport is fake, and preventative measures.

Understanding the Key Features of a US Passport

Government-issued IDs, like passports, have numerous features that are difficult to replicate. They’re often subtle and challenging to detect with the naked eye—but if you know what to look for, they’ll help you distinguish genuine passports from fakes.

Types of US Passports

You might be used to traditional passport books, but there are a few types of US passports a tenant might submit with their application.

Blue passport book. This is the most common type of US passport, often called a “regular” or “tourist” passport book. It’s usable for most types of travel and is typically valid for 10 years (when issued to those 16 years or older). Standard books include 28 pages, but individuals can request a double book with 52 pages.

Special issuance passport book. Certain US government employees and their dependents may have special passports, including black diplomatic passports, maroon official passports, or gray service passports. These are not valid for personal travel and are generally good for five years. However, they’re still a valid form of ID.

Passport card. Individuals can request a passport card for an additional fee when applying for a regular passport. Passport cards are official identification documents that you can use for land border crossings between the US and Mexico. They have the same validity terms as a regular blue passport book.

All of these US passports are valid forms of identification—but they have slight differences, so familiarize yourself with each type’s security features to confirm their legitimacy.

Essential Security Features of a Legitimate US Passport

You can learn how to spot a fake US passport by understanding the security features all legitimate US passports have. While some elements may differ depending on the passport type, all will offer essential clues indicating whether an ID is valid.

When inspecting an applicant’s passport, here’s what to look for:

Cover details. Legitimate US passport books all feature an embossed emblem with gold lettering on the front cover. Although seemingly simple, this distinctive gold pattern is challenging to replicate and relatively expensive to produce—fake passports may lack the same detail and quality. Passport cards do not contain a cover.

Visual inspection zone (VIZ). This is the area of a passport that contains the passport holder’s personal information, like their name, date of birth, expiration date, and photo. It’s designed for quick and easy identity verification—highlighting key personal details you can cross-check against the tenant’s other files.

Barcodes and machine-readable zones (MRZs). All US passports include a series of letters, digits, and separators in the bottom area of a passport card’s backside or the bottom of a passport book’s biographic data page. The code has encoded data that matches the personal details in the VIZ—speeding up the identity verification process by making passports easily scannable.

Holograms and watermarks. A passport should have optical security features, like holograms and watermarks, that change depending on the document’s angle or lighting—creating a dynamic, 3D effect. These security features are difficult to fake and may include hidden security measures like nanotext, microtext, or microimages.

Optically variable ink (OVI). A special type of ink adds an extra layer of security to real IDs. The ink leaves marks that change color when viewed from different angles or under different lighting. Authentic OVI will shift colors smoothly and clearly when tilted—fraudulent IDs might be static or missing altogether.

Multiple laser images. Legitimate passports include fine details, like small, laser-engraved images that change depending on the document’s orientation. These minuscule details are complex to replicate, making them great indicators for ID verification. For US passport cards, you can find this on the top left of the front side of the ID. For US passport books, you can find this artwork on the biographic data page.

Electronic chips. Modern US passport books and cards all contain electronic chips, which allow contactless reading of the information within the document. If you encounter a passport book or card that doesn’t contain an electronic chip, it’s a fake.

Signs of a Fake US Passport

In 2024, the FTC received 842,000+ reports of identity fraud—and government documents were the second most common type. As ID fraud surges, staying on top of common document fraud techniques and scams is paramount.

Here’s what to look out for and how to spot a fake US passport.

Physical Indicators

When you’re inspecting a tenant’s passport, start by looking for physical indications of fraud. Genuine passports are made of unique materials, characteristics, and security features that are hard to reproduce, so a passport’s appearance can often tell you whether the ID is fake.

Fake passports commonly show signs of:

Poor-quality materials and uneven printing. US passports use high-quality materials with consistent formatting. Passport books use paper that isn’t overly glossy or flimsy and (as of 2021) include a polycarbonate data page. Passport cards use durable polycarbonate that doesn’t bend easily. If a passport feels cheaply made or shows signs of uneven printing, it might be fake.

Incorrect or faded colors. Passport books and cards have consistent, quality coloring. If you encounter a passport with incorrect, inconsistent, or fading colors, it’s probably fraudulent.

Misaligned or missing seals and holograms. Valid US passports always include holograms or watermarks that change in appearance depending on your viewing angle. Most fraudsters can’t replicate this security feature, so look for signs of peeling or static holograms, blurry watermarks, or missing seals. Unsure what to look for? Compare the tenant’s passport to a legitimate one produced around the same year.

Data Page Inconsistencies

The data within a US passport can also be a key indicator of its legitimacy. Fraudulent passports may have:

A blurry, pixelated, or mismatched photo. Fake IDs usually lack the same print quality as real passports—which shows in photos. If you notice a blurred or pixelated passport photo, it’s likely fake. And if the image looks drastically different from the person in front of you, it could be a fake or fabricated ID.

Inconsistent personal information or spelling errors. When inspecting a passport, cross-check the personal information from the data page with the tenant’s other application materials. Look for discrepancies between their personal information—like their full name, address, and date of birth. If there are blatant spelling errors on the ID, it’s probably fraudulent.

Odd or unverifiable passport numbers. Every US passport contains a unique string of nine alphanumeric characters—one letter followed by eight numbers. Fake passports may have the wrong amount or type of characters, suspicious patterns (like A12345678), or an unverifiable ID number.

Tampering and Alterations

Passports are extremely challenging to reproduce, so more often than not, fraudsters will use a combination of real passport information with fake data—a practice called synthetic identity fraud.

Synthetic fraud is harder to spot because many aspects of the ID are legitimate. When in doubt, look for signs of tampering, like:

Data manipulation, like smudges or erasure marks
Lamination discrepancies, such as bubbling, peeling, or lamination beyond page edges

Stamps and Visas

If you’re inspecting a passport book, you might be able to use the stamps and visas to spot fraud. However, identifying fake stamps or visas isn’t as straightforward as other signs of fraud—you’ll need special knowledge about other countries’ immigration processes.

Fraudulent stamps and visas might include:

Lack of entry or exit stamps
Unrealistic travel history (like 365 days in Germany on a tourist visa)
Stamps that don’t align with the applicant’s stated timeline

4 Steps to Verify a US Passport

We’ve covered how to spot a fake US passport—but how can you verify one? ID verification is an essential part of the tenant screening process. You’ll need to follow a consistent verification process to minimize risks of fraud for your properties.

Here are a few steps you can take.

1. Visual Inspection

Start by analyzing the physical characteristics of a tenant’s passport book or card for signs of fraud. During the visual inspection process, you should:

Examine the photo for blurry, pixelated, or mismatched facial identity
Cross-check personal details for consistency with other documents
Look for key security features under natural and UV lights

2. Cross-check Information

Next, compare the information on the passport with the other application materials you’ve gathered from the applicant. Don’t just limit your verification checks to the information given to you—search online and publicly available databases to confirm the details provided match.

To confirm a tenant’s true identity:

Verify the passport number using online databases (when available)
Match the passport’s address with public records or proof of address documents
Ensure the passport holder’s name and date of birth align with all other personal records

3. Professional Verification Tools

Just because a passport looks real doesn’t mean it is. Using professional verification technology can help you avoid human error and verify tenants’ identities with laser accuracy.

Digital verification tools inspect passport details, confirm a person’s identity, and cross-check information across dozens of databases in mere moments. Consider using specialized tools such as:

A magnifier for inspecting microprinting and microimages
Passport authentication devices or apps that scan the MRZ or barcode to confirm its validity
Digital ID verification software to ensure fraudulent tenants don’t slip through the cracks

4. Seek Expert Help

Passport verification can be challenging—especially for busy property managers. To do it well, you typically need special training and knowledge, plus a variety of robust verification tools at your fingertips.

If you’re unsure whether a passport you’ve encountered is fake or want a second opinion, consider consulting with a third-party passport verification service. Or use a trusted digital tool like Snappt to quickly and accurately verify IDs—without breaking the bank.

What to Do if You Suspect a Fake US Passport

With the growing prevalence of tenant fraud, you’ll likely encounter a fake ID at some point. At this point, you know how to spot a fake US passport—but what should you do next?

If you believe you’ve encountered a bogus passport, here’s how to safeguard your business and avoid unnecessary legal mishaps.

Immediate Steps to Take

First, don’t panic. Although you may suspect a passport is fake, you should start by addressing the issue with the tenant before involving authorities. As soon as you suspect fraud:

Politely request additional forms of identification from the tenant
Inform the applicant about discrepancies and avoid making accusations without clear evidence
Document the issue and inform the appropriate team members or supervisors

Legal and Ethical Considerations

Once you’re positive the passport is fake, you’ll need to take action to report identity fraud and avoid negative legal consequences.

Understanding the fair housing laws and regulations you’re bound to as a property manager is crucial to maintaining legal compliance.

The Fair Housing Act (FHA) protects applicants from discrimination based on sex, race, color, national origin, religion, disability, and family status. Any missteps could qualify as discriminatory acts if you’re not careful.

When addressing ID fraud, make sure to:

Use standardized ID verification and reporting processes to minimize bias
Keep detailed records of all actions and communications
Ensure compliance with fair housing laws and data privacy laws
Understand how and when to report suspected fraud to authorities

Taking these ethical and legal considerations into account can help prevent accusations of discrimination, mishandling data, or expensive lawsuits.

Before stepping into action, consult with legal counsel to ensure you follow the right steps and avoid liabilities. Gather evidence supporting your belief that the applicant’s passport is fake before reporting it to local law enforcement or the proper authorities.

Preventative Measures for Property Managers

By establishing a robust tenant screening process, you can minimize fraud risks, empower your team, and protect your business. With strong ID verification protocols in place, you’ll avoid bad tenants and ensure compliance with industry standards.

Take proactive measures to safeguard your business now by:

Training staff to recognize fraudulent passports and other fraudulent documents
Establishing clear guidelines for acceptable documents in tenant applications
Investing in technology to detect forgery in identity documents

Protect Your Business with Digital ID Verification

Although ID verification may add an extra step to your application process, it’ll help ensure you’re attracting great tenants—while protecting yourself, residents, and your properties in the long run.

With the right tools and knowledge, ID verification can be simple and seamless. By staying up-to-date on common scams and ID verification best practices, educating your team, and embracing technology, you can learn how to spot a fake US passport and verify tenants’ identities.

And by using a tool like Snappt’s income verification, you can streamline the process, quickly identify fake passports, and make educated decisions about prospective tenants.

Interested in learning more about fraud prevention? Check out these resources: