CardVisor Hardware Manual - Edge
Page 31 of 32
Checking IDs
TokenWorks provides the CardVisor ID scanner to automate and document the ID
checking process for purchasing age sensitive products (Tobacco/Alcohol).
The number one cause for citations, according to enforcement officers, is mental
errors such as failing to check an ID or making a math error when calculating the age
from the date of birth. In a busy retail environment, it is easy to understand a new or
tired clerk/server skipping important steps or making calculation errors.
Recording the ID data, ID status (OK, under21, etc.) with a date/time stamp provides
an affirmative defense for organizations cited for serving a minor. Several states
have affirmative defense legislation which helps defend an organization's liquor
license if an ID scanner was used.
The CardVisor ID scanners will help detect some fake or altered IDs. Just having one
will cause some people to think twice about presenting such an ID. For example, the
ID scanner will help detect if the printed date of birth or expiration date has been
altered using ink (e.g. changing a 3 to an 8) by reading the unaltered date encoded
on the data stripe and display an underage/expired warning. Another possibility is
the encoded data stripe doesn't match the printed data on the front of the license
(e.g. John Smith is printed on the front, but Mary Jones is encoded on the stripe). In
this case, the ID scanner will NOT produce a warning but an operator who is cross
checking the displayed versus printed data should notice the discrepancy.
However, fake IDs are like counterfeit money in that if the person creating them has
sufficient skill and resources, it is extremely difficult to detect without proper
investigation resources. Merchants serving age sensitive products are expected to
make a reasonable effort when checking IDs and using an ID scanner is a significant
indicator of such effort. That is why many states have affirmative defense legislation
for merchants who use an ID scanner.
