How to spot a fake id by the ghost image

The ghost image is one of the hardest things to replicate because it involves different printing layers. In this guide on how to spot a fake id, I will focus on the transparency. A real ghost image should be semi-transparent—you should be able to see the background pattern through the photo. If the photo is solid, it is a fake.

In states like New York or Florida, the ghost image also has some laser-ablated elements. If you hold the card up to a light, you might see some very tiny holes or patterns within that secondary image. Most novelty id cards just print a smaller version of the main photo and call it a day. That is a huge mistake that will get you caught by any observant bouncer.