September 16, 2025

What To Do If You Suspect a Tenant of Submitting a Fake ID

Briana Ings

Chief Product Officer

Quick Insights

Fake IDs are becoming increasingly common—over 93% of apartment owners, developers, and managers reported at least one fraud attempt in just 12 months.
Document fraud attempts put your property at risk of financial scams, illegal sublets, and safety concerns for other residents.
Red flags to look out for in fraudulent documents include mismatched information, poor print quality, unusual fonts, and missing security features.Manual checks are no longer enough. Combine human reviewing and verification technology like Snappt for the most reliable protection.
If you suspect fraud, follow a measured process: verify the documents, request additional IDs, and consult legal experts before rejecting an applicant.
Always communicate professionally and neutrally. Document every step of your process and base decisions on applicants on facts, not assumptions.
Strong document fraud prevention strategies include regular staff training, policy updates, and the use of fraud detection software.

Identifying a Fake ID

Spotting fake IDs starts with recognizing the red flags, which can be blatantly obvious or more subtle and hard to identify. Take a look at what to look out for, how to use modern technology to help with identification, and why training your teams is absolutely crucial.

Common Signs of a Fake ID

Not sure how to spot the red flags? Here are some common signs of a fake ID that can help you quickly identify whether an ID is valid or fraudulent:

Mismatched information, like an address that doesn’t match the details on the rental application
Poor print quality, like blurry images or pixelated text
Unusual fonts or spacing inconsistent with official ID formats
Misaligned text or images
Missing or poorly replicated security features, like holograms or UV elements

Detect Fake IDs with Modern Technology and Tools

Identity fraud is becoming more sophisticated by the day, with fraudsters using savvy tactics that can pass visual and manual checks. To combat fraudsters and fake IDs or documents, you need robust ID verification tools and fraud detection software—like Snappt.

Snappt uses AI to scan IDs for tampering, validates data points, and confirms identity with biometric matching. With an industry-leading accuracy rate of 99.8%, Snappt gives property managers confidence that applicants are really who they claim to be.

Train Staff to Spot Fraudulent Documents

Even the best tools require human partnership. Equip your leasing team with regular training to help them build confidence in spotting suspicious documents so they know how to escalate concerns appropriately.

Training should include examples of both common and advanced cases of fraud and a clear, detailed process outlining what to do if something doesn’t seem right.

3 Steps to Take if You Suspect a Fake ID

Think an applicant submitted a fake ID? Keep in mind that the main goal is to protect your property, residents, and your own legal standing—all while giving the individual a fair chance to explain.

By taking a measured approach, you can learn the truth while avoiding missteps that could lead to housing discrimination claims or reputational damage.

1. Initial Verification

Begin with a careful cross-check. Compare the ID against other documents the applicant has provided, such as:

Next, turn to technology. Online verification services—like Snappt—can confirm ID authenticity by comparing against official databases, scanning for digital alterations, and flagging anomalies a human reviewer might miss.

These tools save time and help ensure your decision is based on verifiable data rather than a gut feeling.

2. Follow-Up Questions

If your initial checks raise concerns, don’t immediately jump to judgment or start writing your rejection letter. Instead, ask the applicant to provide additional forms of ID, like a:

Passport
Birth certificate
Government-issued photo ID from another jurisdiction

Additionally, request supporting verification from previous landlords or employers to confirm a consistent work and rental history.

This step allows the applicant to clarify or correct any honest mistakes. For example, they may have shared an old address with you that needs updating. Giving applicants a fair chance to explain also helps you prove that you’ve acted fairly and reasonably.

3. Consultation

If you still have doubts, discuss your concerns with your legal team or a trusted advisor before taking any formal action. They can guide you on compliance with local, state, and federal laws so your next step doesn’t cross any legal lines.

This is also the perfect time to review your company’s policies on handling suspected fraud. Having a standard process lets your team respond consistently and protect the business from any claims of unfair treatment.

If you don’t have a company policy yet, it’s best to get one prepared as soon as possible, even if you’re a small business.

Handling the Situation Appropriately

Even if you’re confident that an applicant has submitted a fake ID, how you respond matters a lot. Acting too quickly—or harshly—can put you at risk of legal trouble or damage your reputation.

Follow our professional step-by-step approach to treat the applicant fairly while protecting your property and current residents.

Step 1: Communicate

Start by reaching out to the applicant in a calm, non-confrontational manner. This isn’t about accusing them outright—it’s about explaining that there are discrepancies in their application that require clarification.

Keep the tone professional and neutral, avoiding assumptions or any aggressive language.

Here’s a good baseline on what to say:

“When reviewing your application, we noticed some inconsistencies with the ID provided. Could you please provide additional documentation so we can complete the verification process?”

This gives the applicant a chance to explain. And, in some cases, the issue could be as simple as a recent name change.

Step 2: Document the Incident

Throughout the screening process, keep detailed records. Store either digital or physical copies of the suspected fake ID, any related documents, and notes on the verification steps you’ve taken.

Include:

The dates of each step
Names of staff involved
Any software tools used

Equally important is to record the applicant’s responses, whether written or verbal. These records create a clear audit trail, which is invaluable if the applicant challenges your decision or if legal questions arise down the line.

Step 3: Make a Decision

Once you’ve completed your checks and given the applicant the chance to respond, it’s time to decide. If the evidence strongly points towards a fraudulent ID and the applicant can’t provide satisfactory clarification, it makes sense to reject their application.

But you must make this decision in line with your company’s policies, local laws, and federal fair housing laws.

Avoid making decisions that could be considered discriminatory—your choice should be based solely on documented facts and policy, not assumptions about a person’s background or appearance.

Approach suspected fake IDs with professionalism, clear communication, and meticulous documentation. That way, you can protect both your property and legal standing, all while ensuring you treat every applicant with fairness and respect.

Preventive Measures for the Future

Preventing fake IDs from slipping through the system in the first place is crucial for protecting your property. Strengthen your tenant screening process and keep your policies up to date so you can make fraudulent applications far less likely to succeed.

Here are a few tips on how to do that.

Improve Screening Processes

Fraud prevention starts with training your team. Regular training sessions help staff understand what to look for when reviewing IDs—from catching inconsistencies in personal details to recognizing altered security features.

Quality training keeps everyone sharp and confident when sifting through rental applications.

Technology is your ally here. Advanced, AI-powered verification tools—like Snappt—scan IDs for even the most subtle digital alterations, cross-check data against authoritative databases, and highlight red flags that manual inspections could easily miss.

And the powerhouse combo? Combine human checks alongside automated scans for the absolute best method for catching fraud early on.

Update Policies

Clear, consistent policies make it easier to act quickly and fairly if suspicions do arise. Your tenant screening policy should explicitly outline the steps for handling fake IDs and include:

ID verification procedures
Communication protocols
Documentation requirements

As well as standardizing your approach, this also ensures compliance with fair housing and privacy laws.

Regular reviews of your policy are essential. As fraud techniques evolve, your policies and tools should keep up, too. Schedule annual or biannual reviews of your screening process to incorporate new technology, regulatory updates, and any lessons learned from past incidents.

With the right training, tools, and policies set in place, you’re far better prepared to protect your community and business, all without slowing down the application process.

Legal Considerations

Dealing with a suspected fake ID isn’t just about protecting your property and tenants. It’s also about staying on the right side of tenant screening laws.

Rejecting an application without proper evidence or a tenant screening process could expose you to legal challenges, like claims of housing discrimination.

Every jurisdiction has its specific rules on tenant screening, privacy, and document verification, so it’s always important to do your research. Or, even better—consult with legal experts before taking action. They’ll help you navigate local and federal regulations, so your response is both compliant and defensible.

It’s equally important to understand tenant rights. Applicants are entitled to fair treatment and a clear process. As a property manager or landlord, your responsibility is to base decisions on documented facts and dependable policies, not assumptions.

Combine professional legal advice with clear procedures to handle suspected fraud the right way while protecting your business from expensive disputes.

Stay Ahead of Rental Fraud

If a tenant’s ID raises concern, a calm, methodical approach is always your best defense. Begin with initial verification methods, ask for additional documentation, and connect with legal experts before making a solid decision.

Keep detailed records and follow your company’s policies to guarantee fairness, consistency, and full compliance with housing laws.

Remember, fraud detection and prevention are never one-and-done tasks. They’re an ongoing process that you have to keep up with and maintain.

Regular staff training, advanced verification tools, and updated policies all play a key role in keeping your organization and community safe. Stay vigilant, keep up-to-date with new fraud tactics, and you’ll protect your property, residents, and reputation.

Make Snappt an essential part of your tenant screening process and detect fake IDs with accuracy, speed, and confidence.

Additional Resources

Snappt for detecting fraudulent documents and verifying IDs
HUD Fair Housing Act and National Fair Housing Alliance for compliance guidance
National Apartment Association Resources for effective property management