Credit: Kait Rayner
Could you spot a fake? Business owners in Aiken learned how to stop fake identification cards and the people who carry them...because now it’s easier than ever to buy a fake ID. Count on WJBF News Channel 6's Kait Rayner to show why police are cracking down.
Underage drinking can be a serious problem. Just last week, a college student in Aiken used a fake ID to drink at a downtown bar. Later, when police found him, he was sick and lying on the ground in a median.
Sgt. Aaron Dowdy, Aiken Department of Public Safety: “He was over in this section of Richland Avenue between Laurens and Newberry. He was so intoxicated that when they asked for his ID, he actually handed them his cell phone case. They found his ID, but they also found another ID that was not his.”
The man was rushed to the hospital with alcohol poisoning. But, police say fake ID's are used for much more than drinking.
Lt. Nancy Kieltsch, aiken County Sheriff's Office: “They say international driver's license on them. On the back side, you can tell where they’ve purchased them, and you can go anywhere from $40 to $1,500 that I've seen.”
During this special course, police trained local business owners on how to spot them.
Christian Schaumann, bartender: “There were a couple shockers that I didn’t realize, with the fake ID, the bartender or server can still be held liable.”
Because it’s surprisingly easy to get a fake ID...
With just a few clicks and a Google search, we were on our way to creating a new identity.
Kait Rayner, reporting: "There seems to be a number of options, 'Buy Fake ID Online,' '21overnight.com,' and the 'ID Shop'. It seems pretty easy, all I have to do is provide my picture and my information and it says that they’ll send me a new ID."
So easy, it puts almost anyone at risk for identity theft...
Lt. Kieltsch: “Check your credit reports, keep an eye on those...if you see any activity that doesn’t fit your specific transactions, contact them, contact law enforcement, file a police report.”
It's tough for police to crack down, that’s why they hope training business owners to spot fake IDs will help.