Stories of identity fraud continue to appear in the news, and one recently in West Baton Rouge is gaining attention.
In this story, a man, using a fake ID, purchased two lawnmowers valued at over $16,000 using fraudulent credit cards and fake identification.
According to law enforcement, surveillance shows the suspect using these fake documents to complete these purchases in January.
This case is a good example of the unsettling reality for businesses and how traditional ID verification methods are becoming increasingly vulnerable to more sophisticated attempts, especially in high-value transactions.
The Evolving Challenge of Fake IDs
Modern fake IDs are remarkably accurate and sophisticated. This poses a problem for business owners as these IDs can fool standard verification technology..
That’s why we encourage businesses to continue training their staff on how to spot suspicious IDs.
Here are some red flags to be aware of:
- Inconsistent font styles or spacing
- Low quality holograms or microprinting
- Unusual thickness or flexibility of the card
- Missing or incorrect UV features
However, in a situation like this, where fake ID usage might not be as common as, say, in a nightclub, it’s easy for employees to go through the motions of ID verification.
But, for businesses that sell high-ticket items, the financial risk of selling their product to someone using a fake ID and documents is hard to ignore.
How DMVCheck Can Help
The lawnmower theft case story illustrates the need for businesses to invest in advanced verification technology. With our DMVCheck as a means for fake ID detection and identity fraud prevention businesses can use our pay-per-use service designed for situations like these.
DMVCheck ID verification fills in the gaps that come with standard verification with direct and immediate confirmation from state DMV databases that the ID presented is legitimate.
While it likely isn’t necessary to use advanced ID verification technology for every transaction, it’s ideal for exception-based scenarios when something feels “off,” or the person is making a purchase that exceeds your business’ standard risk threshold.
When to Use DMVCheck
DMVCheck is designed to complement existing security measures in specific scenarios:
- When processing high-value transactions (like expensive lawn equipment)
- When an ID passes initial tests but still raises concerns
- When a customer’s appearance doesn’t match their stated age
- For transactions that exceed your organization’s standard risk threshold
The lawnmower case demonstrates why businesses selling high-value items need this second line of defense.
With fraud becoming increasingly sophisticated, DMVCheck offers peace of mind from governmental verification and can potentially save businesses thousands in losses.
Contact us today if you have any questions or want to learn more about DMVCheck for your business.