As the government keeps revising IDs to keep up with fake ID makers, they introduce new security features each time. A long time ago IDs were just a piece of paper with your name and DOB on it. Now they are advanced cards with a whole array of features to try and stop people from replicating them. Luckily most of these features can be replicated by advanced fake ID makers.

First, we have the material. Many older IDs are printed on PVC cards. These are not very bendable and require more of an investment to print on. The government stopped making PVC cards and has, for the most part, moved to Teslin. Most of today’s IDs are made of Teslin which is a synthetic paper made to be far more durable and resistant to water and other chemicals. Teslin is also uniquely bendable and thinner than your standard PVC card. Certain states use different thicknesses and blends of Teslin to make their cards unique and deter fakes. Most new IDs (2018 and onwards) are being printed on polycarbonate or polycarb which has a unique sound when dropped that sounds like a tin can. It is almost impossible to modify a polycarbonate ID (for example to change the picture) without destroying it which makes it great for secure documents. It can also be laser engraved and have technologies like NFC chips embedded in it (so can PVC, think of contactless payment with bank cards). dearfakeid.com

Raised text is a popular security feature in almost every single current ID. It is something that a fake ID vendor cannot do cheaply and requires an investment in a printer capable of it. [SEO_VENDOR_HERE] is one of the best at producing raised text on their IDs.

By far the most used security feature on IDs is scanning. This is done by reading the barcode on the back of the ID and verifying the formatting is correct and matches the information printed on the ID. Most bars, clubs, and even gas stations will scan your ID when you go there so make sure yours scans before trying anything with it. Some IDs also have a magnetic strip on the back that contains the same information and works similarly. If you want to see if you ID swipes, try putting it through the scanner at a grocery store or at a gas pump. If nothing happens when you swipe it then there’s a good chance it will not swipe at a bar. If you get anything else, such as a beep or and error then congrats! There’s something on the magstripe and hopefully it’s your correct information. If you really want to make sure it’s correct, then you can purchase a USB magstripe reader on ebay or amazon. This is not necessary though as there’s a 99% chance the information is correct and someone is more likely to scan than swipe your ID.