Why 2026 Marks a Turning Point for FAKE ID Security in America

In 2025, an estimated nearly 10 million fake IDs were circulating in the United States, and close to 5 million in Canada. As we move into 2026, governments, businesses, and technology companies are focusing on more effective methods to distinguish real identification from fraudulent documents.

Using a fake ID is illegal in both the United States and Canada, as possession or use of fraudulent identification undermines public safety and can lead to criminal charges. The high demand for these IDs stems largely from differing legal drinking ages; while Canada allows alcohol purchase at 18 or 19, the U.S. requires individuals to be 21. This difference drives a significant market, with studies suggesting that young people aged 15–20 currently possess fake IDs.

The primary users include students under 21 in the U.S., who seek access to bars and alcohol, and career criminals engaged in identity theft. Despite continuous upgrades in ID designs since 2010—incorporating UV features, microprinting, and holograms—modern counterfeit IDs are highly sophisticated. However, a major weakness remains: most venues do not connect to federal or provincial databases. Advanced scanning systems linked to verified data can detect fraud that physical checks cannot.

Furthermore, there is a strong link between fake ID use and dangerous drinking behaviors; students who use forged documents report higher frequency of alcohol consumption. Consequences for using a fake ID are severe, ranging from misdemeanor charges (fines up to $2,500) to felony convictions, which can result in years in prison and permanent criminal records.

Fake IDs have shifted from street-level operations to sophisticated online platforms, including e-commerce websites, social media, and dark web marketplaces. To combat this, advanced anti-fraud technologies, such as the Scandit ID Validate system, are proving effective by achieving high accuracy rates in verifying licenses across multiple states, thereby protecting both public safety and revenue streams.