A new way to catch fake IDs

Indiana's liquor stores are tackling the problem of fake IDs by testing new technology at three college towns, including Bloomington.\nThe Indiana Association of Beverage Retailers has initiated a one-of-a-kind trial where it will test the system, which scans the bar code on driver's licenses and lets workers know if the ID is legitimate.\nThe system, called the IDLogix C-100, began its trial this week at Big Red Liquor Stores and will run throughout Homecoming weekend. It will also be tested during Homecoming weekends at Purdue University in West Lafayette and Ball State University in Muncie, Ind.\nIU Police Department Lt. Jerry Minger reported 22 cases of false identification so far since January. In the same period last year, there were 36 cases of false identification. Last year, almost 10 million fake IDs were confiscated across the United States.\nThe new technology is aimed at cutting those numbers.\nAt a press conference at Big Red Liquors Wednesday, managers demonstrated how the system is used. Cards are swiped through the portable handheld machine's slot. The bar code or magnetic strip is deciphered and the information is put on the screen. A voice system also declares the status of the license.\nJohn Livengood, president and CEO of the Indiana Association of Beverage Retailers, said the technology is new but should catch on. He said all but six states now have bar codes on their driver's licenses and with counterfeiting becoming more sophisticated, this system can help.\n"We think we'll see more and more devices like these," he said. "The counterfeiters are just getting better and better. There are some people that can use computer technology and make very sophisticated fake IDs with holograms and everything. We need to be able to stay ahead of them."\nLivengood said the IDLogix C-100 is being tested in college towns during Homecoming because those are times when there are a lot of people from out of town and lots of business at liquor stores.\n"It can just make things more efficient during these busy weekends," he said. "I know there are a lot of students from out of town and the process used to check IDs can take quite some time. I know here they can check student directories and IU and Ball State and Purdue. This just makes things a little quicker."\nLivengood said these systems can be useful because most false IDs are only altered on the outside of the card. The magnetic strip and bar codes are more difficult to manufacture.\nThe IDLogix C-100 costs from $1,500 to $2,000 a unit, but Livengood said they are well worth the investment.\n"Packaging stores pride themselves about providing the best environment to sell alcohol," he said. "Better sales equipment will only protect us from making any mistakes, which can be costly."\nBig Red Liquors chief operations officer Wade Shanower said from his standpoint it is a sound investment. He said fines can cost much more than these devices.\nHe said the store already spends nearly $40,000 a year to train employees to detect false identifications. Employees have to be knowledgeable of the characteristics of driver's licenses from all 50 states. They also must ask a minimum of two questions about the person's license.\n"The other night, I saw this guy who I guess altered his ID," said Big Red Liquors Manager Chris Ludy. "When I asked him how old he was, he said 22, but his ID said he was 23. So, I scanned his card in the new device and sure enough, he was only 20."\nEmployees also must ask for a backup ID. If the primary form of identification is an IU student ID card, then two forms of backup ID are required.\nLudy said he spends nearly an hour when he trains a new employee to go over everything they need to know about IDs. Still, he said a lot of it can come from experience.\nLudy said the liquor store plans on keeping its training policy the same, even if they purchase the new system. He said he realizes that some counterfeiters can even make fake bar codes and magnetic strips. \nLudy said the problems involved with fake IDs are always a concern for Big Red Liquors. Last year, the store confiscated more than 100 fake IDs.\nMinger said most of the students who are caught by IUPD with fake IDs are already charged with another crime, such as public intoxication or possession of an illegal substance.\nMinger said in the spring of 2002, IUPD made a huge bust of a fake ID ring.\nFreshman Nicolas Baytler, 18, and associate degree student Jeffrey S. Bravine, 20, were charged with manufacturing false identification. They allegedly used personal computers to create the IDs for underage students.\nMinger said the students were caught after IUPD subpoenaed the students' instant messenger service where they were selling their false IDs.\nHe said there were no clues to how many they sold or how much they sold them for, but he said it looked to be an advanced operation.\nMinger said he did not know if the new technology would decrease fake IDs or underage drinking, but said he hopes it would make people take it more seriously.\n"I think it will make people think twice before using fake IDs," he said. "It's not a crime that we just forget about. We arrest people for it."\n-- Contact campus editor Adam Aasen at aaasen@indiana.edu.