Fake IDs in Massachusetts
A Growing Problem

Like states across the nation, Massachusetts is trying to meet the challenge of more fraudulent IDs whether presented in person or by digital image. Many of these fake IDs come from counterfeiters located overseas with sophisticated equipment. As stories below illustrate, fake identification is getting easier to obtain in Massachusetts and is often associated with illegal alcohol purchases by minors and financial fraud.

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Alcohol Sales & Service Guidelines for Massachusetts

- Minimum age to consume: 21
- Minimum age to serve: 18
- Minimum age to bartend: 18

A person under 21 may not purchase alcoholic beverages as part of a law enforcement action.

Penalties for serving or selling to a minor: In Massachusetts, the penalty for selling or serving alcohol to someone under 21 is a fine of up to $2,000, up to one year in jail, or both. This is covered in Chapter 138, Section 34 of the Massachusetts General Laws. The law also applies if someone allows a minor to consume alcohol on their property, even if they didn't directly provide it.

However, there are some exceptions to the law:

  • Adults can provide alcohol to their own children and grandchildren on their property
  • Adults can buy alcohol for their children, spouses, or wards under 21 from package stores, breweries, and wineries

Businesses that sell alcohol to minors may also face administrative penalties, such as license suspension or revocation.


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  • id check during purchase of car
  • police officer checking id
  • identity verification at airline check-in counter
  • bartender verifying id of two patrons

How to Spot a Fake Massachusetts ID

For law enforcement officers, bank tellers, car rental agents, human resources professionals and others who must verify ID in a professional capacity, the recent surge in fake IDs is challenging. The liability and losses that result from accepting a fake ID are large. The I.D. Checking Guide assists in the ID verification process by showing what an actual, valid ID looks like at full-size, and highlights the details of the licenses, making it much easier to spot the fraud. Before approving an expensive car rental, opening a new bank account or hiring a new employee, make sure the driver’s license or ID card has the correct numbering, UV, microprint, ghost images, expiration, and other details that counterfeiters often miss.

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What the I.D. Checking Guide Includes:

Place Order U.S Book Info
  • A full page or more for each U.S. state and Canadian province, showing driver’s licenses and ID cards.
  • Security image information for ghost images, laser perforation, microprint, UV and other validation details.
  • Explanation of what the proper alphanumeric sequencing of a Massachusetts ID or Driver’s License should be (how many letters, numbers, etc.).
  • U.S. Federal documents including immigration, military ID, Visas and passport cards.
  • “How to check driver’s licenses” techniques for training.