Fake IDs in West Virginia
A Growing Problem

Like states across the nation, West Virginia 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 West Virginia and is often associated with illegal alcohol purchases by minors and financial fraud.

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Alcohol Sales & Service Guidelines for West Virginia

- Minimum age to consume: 21
- Minimum age to serve: 16
- Minimum age to bartend: 16
- A manager or supervisor must be present when an underage person is serving or dispensing alcoholic beverages.

A person under 21 may purchase alcoholic beverages as part of a law enforcement action.

Penalties for serving or selling to a minor: In West Virginia, the penalty for serving alcohol to a minor depends on the circumstances:

  • Selling, possessing, or serving powdered alcohol

A licensed person who violates this law is guilty of a misdemeanor and may be fined up to $500, jailed for up to one year, or both.

  • Selling, giving, or furnishing liquor to someone under 21

This is also a misdemeanor and can result in a fine of up to $250, up to 10 days in jail, or both.

  • Serving a minor in an establishment

This is a misdemeanor that can result in a fine of $500–$1,000, up to one year in jail, or both. Other penalties include license suspension or revocation, probationary status, and monetary penalties from the Alcohol Beverage Control Commissioner.


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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 West Virginia 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 West Virginia 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.