10 Elements of Safety Features in Fake Identification Cards

Last Updated on: 7th May 2023, 11:50 am

Today’s fake identification cards are not only a card with your identity information printed on them. Due to the advanced technology development, including the one that criminals use, it is necessary to put extra protection on id cards. Thus, there are many security features that the government put on it. It is all necessary to protect the owner of that card from anything that can harm their identity. 

So, here, we are going to learn more about these security features and elements of identification cards. There are many of them that you might never know or thought of before. One thing you should know, these security features will protect your card from many things, especially forgery.

Here are 10 elements you can find in the security features of identification cards.

1. Barcodes

Barcodes are one of the best security codes because they contain the data of the real owner of the card. Therefore, if someone steals and uses your card without your permission, the place where they use it can track and detect the attempt of this crime. Therefore, it prevents any unwanted accidents that happen because of usage by non-owner. 

Moreover, the barcode is connected to the database. So, it is almost impossible to forge it and put a new barcode or identity on that card. Furthermore, it is also difficult to print the barcode on the latest identification card material, polycarbonate. It requires specific equipment/printer to do that.

2. Photo or Picture of the Card Owner

It is the basic security feature. Yet, a photo is the most effective way to protect the card. In the past, changing the photo was much easier. You only need to remove the old photo on the card identification and change it with your photo. However, today’s id card prints the photo directly on the card surface. Therefore, other people can’t remove it easily.

Even though they cover it with a new photo, the surface texture of the card won’t be the same. That way you can easily detect the fake ID card. However, if an ID card only used a photo for protection that would not be enough. A good photo on your id is the first line of defense of your fake id. It requires more security features that we are going to show you next.

3. Magnetic Stripe

This part is located on the back of the ID card. It has a unique composition that contains specific information that the card reader can use to identify the card and its owner. A magnetic stripe is made of material with the magnetic property. Therefore, the card reader can detect and read the information in it.

As for the information in the magnetic stripe, it contains the updated and updatable information of the card. Therefore, it is difficult to counterfeit as it keeps updating the information of the card owner. Without changing the database on the server, anyone wouldn’t be able to bypass this security feature.

4. RFID or Smart Card

The smart card is the advanced version of the ID card. It doesn’t use the magnetic stripe that requires you to swipe it on the card reader. Instead, it utilizes the radio frequency to conduct the detecting and confirmation process. Inside a smart card, there is a unique part that acts similar to an antenna coil. This part has a function to receive the radio wave from the card reader.

The card reader is placed in one place. Then, it will send a radio wave around it to detect any smart card that gets close to that area. The card reader will read the smart card that receives that radio wave through its antenna coil. After that, it will decide whether you have access to the place you are going to enter. Or, it also is useful for a transaction, which saves more time. 

In most cases, the card reader for a smart card will be paired with a face recognition camera. Each of them has a different function but supports each other. The card reader will read the card information and the camera will detect whether the user of the card’s physical identity matches the identity inside the card.

5. Fluorescent Overlay

One of the unique features that you can find on the latest fake ID card is the fluorescent overlay. It is different from a hologram. This feature provides more durability on the card. Best of all, you can use it in one printing cycle. No need to add extra lamination or other types of varnish. That means you can save more money to produce a card with better durability and safety.

The ID card with fluorescent overlay has strong protection against counterfeiting as well. Plus, it also can last more, especially when you combine it with proper material. This property and capability are necessary to fulfill the rule stated in the Real ID Act about the card renewal cycle. 

6. Holograms of IDs

As we mentioned before, holograms also work very well as the security feature for an ID card. The hologram is printed on the surface of the card. It is not only working as the authentication feature, but also the visual protection against counterfeiting. 

Many card forgery cases also try to add an image that looks like a hologram on their fake card surface. However, it is impossible to do. The printing method and equipment to add this part is only owned by a certain organization that has the right to issue the ID card. 

Therefore, it is easy to detect a fake card from its hologram. If it is changing its color or shape when you move it in a specific direction, that card is the real one. The fake card doesn’t have that function. It is only a flat and blurred image on its background that is printed using thin and fade-out color to look like a hologram.  

7. Microtext or Microprinting

As its name implies, it is the text printed in a micro-sized font. The commercial and standard printer does not have this printing feature. It requires industrial equipment to create this unique composition of texts. It is also another reliable security feature you can find on the modern ID card. Therefore, it is almost impossible to copy or make a fake id.

The micro size also makes the text or sentence looks like a line when you see it with naked eyes. You need a specific magnifier to see it. On the other hand, the card reader also can read this microprinting. Try to invest in both tools for detecting the card validity for your business.

8. Laser Engraving

The current laser technology allows you to use it for many purposes, including engraving the identity on the ID card surface. Unlike the standard printing method, the laser engraving security feature creates a different texture on the card surface. The standard printing method is prone to counterfeit because you can remove the ink printed on the card surface. Then, put the new text and identity there. Voila, you change the identity information on that card.

The laser engraving method carves the text on the surface and creates the beveled edge. You cannot remove this part because it will only damage the card. Therefore, the ID card that uses the laser engraving technique to print the text and identity code is virtually impossible to counterfeit. Indeed, the current ID card is still not using this method. However, we believe this feature will become one of the standard features of every ID card in the future.

9. Specific Laminating Layer

To protect your card surface from damage or stain, a proper application of the lamination layer is necessary. Therefore, every ID card you can find today has a lamination layer. However, this layer does not only work to protect against stain or damage on the card surface. It also works as the security layer that prevents counterfeit. You can use this part to detect fake cards quite easily. It is especially easy for driving license cards.

The specific lamination layer has a different composition than the commercial lamination layer you can find on the market. It is stiff and difficult to fold or bend. On the other hand, the standard lamination layer is still easy to fold with your finger. It makes the process of detecting a fake card become much easier.

3. Infrared (IR) Ink

Ink also can be used as the security feature for an ID card. You can use the IR ink here. It is different from other types of ink. This ink will change its color and react differently when you light it up with a specific light frequency. You also can use the IR detection camera to detect the text printed using this ink. Some ID card has invisible text that only appears through this camera. 

Conclusion

Thanks to the latest technology, those security features are available and applicable to the ID card. It improves the safety of your identity from any efforts to use it by other people. We hope this article becomes a good reference for you.