Businesses that sell age-restricted items can’t afford to take chances when it comes to ID verification.
Non compliance can lead to fines, license suspensions and in the worst-case scenario, permanent closure.
To reduce those risks, establishments like bars, casinos, and dispensaries can invest in digital ID checkers and age verification machines.
In this blog, we explore:
- The importance of age verification compliance
- How ID verification devices promote compliance
- Three business benefits beyond compliance
- How to choose the right ID checker for your business
The Importance of Age Verification Compliance
Compliance isn’t a “nice to have” for establishments that serve or sell age-restricted products. It’s a necessity.
Unfortunately, many businesses find out when it’s too late that visual ID checks have left them vulnerable to violations.
The consequences of selling to minors include:
- Though the severity of the violation is decided by the state, the national average of business fines for selling alcohol to a minor is from $500 to $1,000.
- Temporary or permanent license suspension.
- Legal liability and increased insurance costs.
- Irreparable damage to business reputation.
- Potential criminal charges for repeat offenders.
How ID Verification Devices Promote Compliance
ID verification devices offer more than just confirmation of a person’s age; they serve as a comprehensive compliance solution.
Automated Age Calculation
Manual ID checks and age calculations are prone to human error and can lead to compliance violations.
ID verification machines quickly and accurately calculate a person’s age and eliminate the need for mental math.
This significantly reduces errors to protect your business.
Detecting Sophisticated Fake IDs
Today’s fake IDs are becoming increasingly sophisticated. Modern fake ID detection tools, like our IDentiFake, offer businesses peace of mind in knowing that every ID checked is accurately verified by:
- Scanning physical security features that are invisible to the human eye.
- Cross-referencing ID data against known formats and standards.
- Checking for data inconsistencies that indicate tampering.
- Validating barcodes and magnetic stripes against visible information.
Creating Documented Compliance Records
While automated age calculation and fake ID detection are essential, the most valuable compliance benefit is the automatic record-keeping of scanned IDs.
Our ID scanners create detailed transaction logs that record your compliance efforts should you ever encounter regulatory violations.
These records reflect:
- Date and time of every ID check.
- Verification that age requirements were met.
- Verification that the ID was valid, not expired.
- Instances where service was denied due to age restrictions.
Many jurisdictions recognize this documentation as a valid form of “affirmative defense” to potentially protect your business from severe penalties.
3 Business Benefits Beyond Compliance
Regulatory compliance is the most valuable benefit of ID verification devices. However, businesses can also reap additional operational benefits, including:
Operational Efficiency
Thanks to age verification machines that quickly and effectively process IDs, you can improve customer service and reduce lines during peak hours.
The simple scan-and-verify process requires minimal staff training and offers a consistent experience no matter the employee’s experience.
Enhanced Security
Advanced ID scanner models offer anti-passback protection to prevent ID sharing.
Valuable Customer Insights
As a business owner, growth is always on your mind.
Our ID scanners collect valuable demographic data that you can use to create targeted marketing campaigns and customer loyalty programs.
The data includes:
- Customer geographic distribution.
- Age demographics.
- Visit frequency patterns.
- Peak business hours.
How to Choose the Right Solution for Your Business
Consider these four factors when selecting an ID verification solution for your business:
- Mobility Needs: Do you need a mobile handheld device for door security or a stationary scanner for point-of-sale verification.
- Verification Features: Some establishments require more than ID verification. Those instances require comprehensive fake ID detection capabilities.
- Integration Options: Look for systems that that allow multiple scanners to share data and have storage capability for all scanned data in a reliable cloud network.
- Support and Updates: Make sure your vendor offers regular software updates as ID formats change and new security features emerge.
For businesses serving age-restricted products, the question isn’t whether you can afford an ID verification system. It’s whether you can afford to operate without one.
Explore our age verification machines, and if you have questions, contact our team today.