ID crackdown: How bars and the state check for fake IDs

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Missouri's Division of Alcohol and Tobacco Control said its application, "Show-Me ID" found 5,447 invalid IDs in June.

The smartphone app was created as a partnership with The Missouri Department of Transportation Highway Safety and Traffic Division. The app was designed to help catch fake-ID's of those trying to drink underage.

The app was created in April 2021. "We developed a program called "Show-Me ID" where anyone with a smartphone can download the app and scan via your camera, the barcode on the back of most state ID's and Drivers licenses," sMissouri Division of Alcohol and Tobacco Control Supervisor Mike Leara said.

In June, data from the app -- according to a Department of Public Safety spokesman -- scanned:

• 82,734 IDs
• 75,019 scans were valid IDs.
• 505 scans were underaged.
• 1,171 scans were for expired lDs.
• 593 scans were unreadable - which is an indicator that the ID could be fraudulent.
• 5,447 scans were invalid - which is an indicator that the ID could be fraudulent according to the department.

Leara said the app is good for any bars and clubs to have because, "there would be a lot of people slipping through the cracks."

College towns -- such as Columbia -- typically see a higher rate of Minor in Possession charges.

"We would encourage everybody to download this and it just really cuts back on that," Leara said.

Dan Rader, who owns MyHouse bar in Downtown Columbia, said they are requiring people to bring two forms of IDs on Thursday for a concert. A photo ID, and something like a credit card, student ID or mail that matches the name to get in to the 18+ show.

"We have a whole team of card readers that will make sure that people are over the age of 21," Rader said.

Rader said they use a device recommended by the Columbia Police Department to verify IDs.

"It's very effective because at the very least, we are able to tell you if this ID is real or not," he said. "Being a college town, it's definitely something we deal with all the time. In fact, I would say the door management of the venue is one of the most important and difficult parts of running this venue, so year, I would say we constantly have to deny people and be on the lookout for underage drinkers."