Governments must work together with businesses to discourage minors from purchasing illegal products like alcohol and cigarettes and even drugs. Setting up consequences for the adolescents is one tactic, but adding a consequence for fooled businesses encourages them to take responsibility for evaluating each sale carefully.
A recent effort by the UK to discourage the use of false identification cards is failing, according to a survey by Clarity Commercce released last week. The initiative by the government, called Proof of Age Standards Scheme (PASS), was centered on creating ID cards for teenagers to combat underage drinking and tobacco use.
The study by Clarity shows that teenagers are getting around the government by buying fake and false IDs over the Internet for as little as £10. The cards look genuine and are fooling sales associates at businesses. The survey reports that the cards are purchased by 1 in 5 teenagers.
The fake ID cards are being used to get into clubs and pubs, but they are also being used to purchase alcohol, cigarettes and knives. Movie theaters and tattoo parlors are also targets for kids trying to use fake IDs.
In addition to buying fake IDs over the Internet, adolescents are also “borrowing” IDs. The survey reports that 78 percent of those over the age of 18 admitting that they have loaned their ID to an adolescent for the purpose of admission into a club. 45 percent of teens reported that they have asked an older sibling or older friend to buy them alcohol.
Not only are businesses being duped, but parents are missing the teens’ tricks also. 42 percent of UK teens say that they have used their parent’s credit card to purchase alchol, cigarettes, adult CDs or video games on the Internet.
Many UK retailers have taken drastic measures to combat the problem of fake IDs and avoid heavy fines from the government. Some train their sales associates to challenge customers who appear to be under the age of 25 and do not have proof of being over 18. However, this tactic has risks as well. Many legitimate sales can walk out the door if they are over 18 but have no proof in their wallet.
Businesses in Holland may have found a solution that will translate to businesses in other countries, including the UK. The businesses have employed a technology that allows an alarm to sound at check-out when a product requiring age-verification is scanned. Two cameras are aimed at the purchaser and an independent trained staff judge whether the customer appears to be of age.
While this strategy may not eliminate the use of fake IDs, it does take the pressure off the sales associate and may give pause to teenagers attempting to use them. The UK is planning to begin implementation of a similar system in 2010.
