How to Spot a Fake Driver’s License or ID For Potential Tenants

Even the warmest smile and a seemingly valid driver’s license can hide a lie. That lie? Fraud. And for property managers or landlords, the cost of fraud is higher than ever—from months of unpaid rent and costly evictions to potentially approving dangerous tenants.

Not only are the risks of fraud increasing, but identity fraud in rental applications is on the rise, too:

70% of leading apartment owners, developers, and managers reported seeing identity theft, fraudulent IDs, or the use of someone else’s personal details in rental applications.

The good news? You don’t need to be a forensic expert to protect your properties. By knowing the warning signs and using the right tools, you can spot red flags before fraudsters slip through.

We’re covering legal considerations, the common signs of a fake ID, what to do if you suspect one, and how to build ID verification into your current tenant screening process. 

Quick Insights

• Fake IDs, like fabricated driver’s licenses, often look convincing at first glance, but common giveaways include blurry printing, unusual fonts, lamination issues, or dates that don’t add up.
• Pay close attention to how applicants behave during the screening process. Hesitation, defensiveness, or reluctance to show another form of ID suggests fraud.
• Requesting a second type of ID—like a passport—is a simple but effective way to confirm authenticity.
• Keep thorough documentation if you spot a suspicious ID to protect yourself should the situation escalate.
• Today’s fake IDs are increasingly sophisticated, with some fraudsters using AI and advanced printing techniques to create IDs with holograms and barcodes that mimic the real thing.
• Relying on manual checks alone is risky. Automated ID verification tools like Snappt detect subtle signs of tampering and provide results within minutes.
• Staying compliant means applying the same screening steps to every applicant, protecting personal data, and staying neutral during communication.

Common Signs of a Fake ID or Driver’s License

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 When You Spot a Fake ID 

Think you’ve come across a fake driver’s license? How you handle it matters. Instead of being accusatory or trying to get the applicant caught in a “Gotcha!” moment, keep things professional and follow these steps.

Step 1: Pause the Application Process

Before you reject an application, take some time to investigate your concerns. It could be an honest mistake or genuine fraud. Either way, you want to check it out before moving forward.

A short delay now can save you a lot of time and money down the road. Be thorough and take as much time as you need to confirm or deny fraud.

Step 2: Double-Check the Details

Don’t assume fraud solely because something looks off. Compare the ID against the rental application and other documents. Flag inconsistencies in names, birthdates, or addresses.

Step 3: Ask for Another Form of Identification

In general, genuine tenants are happy to confirm the authenticity of their IDs and clear up any issues by providing another form of ID, like a passport. Politely explain that you need another form of ID to verify their identity and compare that with the details from their application.

If they’re unwilling or hesitant, it’s a red flag that they may be committing identity fraud.

Step 4: Document Your Concerns

Note exactly what seemed off. Was it the photo quality? An expired date? Or was the applicant acting a little evasive? Documenting your concerns ensures you have a record if questions arise later.

Step 5: Communicate Professionally

Follow your company’s policy for handling fraud concerns and make sure you communicate clearly and professionally. Avoid accusations or escalating the situation—simply explain that there are some concerns and that you need to investigate further.

The Evolution of Fake IDs

Gone are the days when fake IDs were just bad photocopies. Today’s forgeries look polished, complete with holograms, barcodes, and even laser engraving—features once reserved for government-issued IDs. They can fool even the most meticulous reviewer.

The rise of fraud-as-a-service (FaaS), how-to guides, and tutorials has only made things worse. Online marketplaces now sell professional-quality fake IDs in bulk, making it easier than ever to forge IDs.

The global deepfake market is expected to reach $13.89 billion by 2032.

And with the AI boom, fraud has leveled up again. Scammers can generate lifelike faces, signatures, and synthetic identities in minutes. In the UK, false identity cases jumped 60% in 2024, with 29% classified as synthetic. Similar trends are happening in the US, making manual detection alone nearly impossible.

The takeaway? Fraud is getting smarter, faster, and harder to spot. Property managers can’t rely on a visual inspection anymore—they need tools, like Snappt, that keep pace with evolving tactics.

How to Incorporate ID Verification into Tenant Screening

The best defense against fraud is a consistent process. Start by requiring a government-issued photo ID, like a driver’s license or passport, for every applicant and make ID verification a standard step in your screening process.

Setting a standard, repeatable process helps set clear expectations and reduces the chance of missing red flags.

From there, build in a simple cross-check process. Compare the details on the ID with the rental application, credit report, or employment verification documents. Make sure the dates, addresses, and names all line up. Small inconsistencies can signal something’s off.

But remember that manual checks can only take you so far. Modern fraudulent IDs are carefully engineered to look legitimate, even under close inspection. 

That’s why property managers are turning to tools like Snappt that automate the process, detect tampering in seconds, and return results in under 10 minutes. That means faster approvals for legitimate tenants and far fewer headaches from potential bad tenants.

When ID verification becomes standard, tenant screening shifts from guesswork to a fair, consistent process—one that protects both you and your residents.

How to Stay Legally Compliant 

As well as detecting fake IDs, you need to make sure your fraud prevention process is on the right side of the law. That means going beyond scanning IDs for red flags—you need to put well-considered safeguards in place that help you gain trust while also avoiding liability.

Here are a few things to keep in mind:

Stay consistent. Consistency and fairness in your screening process are paramount. Apply the same verification steps to every single applicant. It protects you from fraud and also helps you comply with fair housing laws by treating all applicants equally.

Protect applicant privacy. Remember that you’re collecting sensitive personal information—only gather what you actually need, store it securely, and be mindful of state-specific data protection requirements.

Avoid direct accusations. If an ID seems questionable, document your observations and follow company policies. Never accuse applicants outright, no matter how sure you feel. Leave final confirmation to official checks or highly accurate verification tools like Snappt.

Stay neutral and professional. Tone and approach matter—a lot. Keep communication clear and fact-based, and avoid language that an applicant could perceive as biased or discriminatory.

Keep policies current. Laws surrounding tenant screening and data privacy are ever-evolving. Review your procedures regularly and speak with a legal professional if you’re unsure about compliance in your state.

Protecting Your Community Starts with Verification

Fake driver’s licenses may be harder to spot than ever, but that doesn’t mean you’re powerless as a property manager. Know the common warning signs, follow clear steps when something feels strange, and include ID verification in your screening process.

Ready to take a back seat from playing detective? See how Snappt can simplify ID verification and protect your proper