How to spot a fake id by the edge quality

One of the easiest ways for how to spot a fake id is to look at the edges. Real government IDs are cut with precision machines that leave a perfectly smooth, rounded edge. Many novelty cards are cut with less precise equipment, leaving rough or even jagged edges that you can feel with your finger.

If you can see the layers of the card (the 'sandwich' effect) at the edge, it is a fake. A real polycarbonate ID is one solid piece of plastic. Some vendors try to hide this by sanding the edges, but that usually leaves a matte finish that looks different from the glossy surface of the card. Always check the edges before you use a new card!