As businesses grow and serve more customers, it becomes increasingly important to ensure that age-restricted products such as alcohol, tobacco, and cannabis are not sold to minors.
Age verification is crucial in protecting minors’ safety and avoiding legal consequences for businesses. ID scanners have emerged as a reliable and efficient solution for verifying the age of customers. Let’s explore the top 10 reasons every business should invest in an ID scanner.
Table of Contents
1. Increase Security and Safety
ID scanning solutions are an effective tool for increasing security and safety in any business that requires age verification. By verifying the age of customers, businesses can prevent underage drinking, reduce liability, and maintain a safe environment.
ID scanners use advanced technology to verify the authenticity of IDs and store information about the scanned ID. This information can be used to track customer behavior and identify potential threats.
Some examples of how ID scanners have prevented incidents in the past include:
- In 2018, an ID scanner at a nightclub in Minnesota helped prevent a shooting. The scanner detected a fake ID, and the individual was denied entry.
- A convenience store in New York City used an ID scanner to prevent underage sales of tobacco and alcohol.
- A restaurant in Florida used an ID scanner to prevent underage drinking and reduce liability. The scanner helped the business verify the age of customers and identify potential fake IDs.
2. Reduce Liability
The use of ID scanner help in reducing liability for businesses that serve alcohol. By accurately verifying the age of customers, businesses can prevent underage drinking and reduce the risk of accidents, injuries, and legal issues.
Businesses that serve alcohol to minors can face hefty fines, suspension or revocation of liquor licenses, and even criminal charges. Moreover, serving alcohol to minors can lead to civil lawsuits and costly legal battles.
Businesses use modern ID scanning solutions to serve customers of the legal drinking age. This reduces the risk of accidents and injuries and protects businesses from costly legal consequences.
Example: In one notable case, a bar was sued by the family of a teenager who died in a drunk driving accident after leaving the establishment.
The bar was found to have served alcohol to the teenager, who was underage at the time. The family was awarded a settlement of $5.5 million.
3. Enhance Customer Experience
Investing in ID scanners provides customers a faster and more efficient experience. ID scanning machines readily verify a customer’s age and identity, which reduces wait times and lines at the entrance.
Businesses like bars and nightclubs that use ID scanners have reported shorter wait times for customers, which has increased customer satisfaction.
It also helps businesses maintain a safe environment, which can improve the overall experience for customers.
4. Prevent Underage Drinking
Underage drinking is a primary concern for society. It can lead to various physical, emotional, and legal problems for the underage drinker and the business serving them.
Underage drinkers are more likely to engage in risky behavior like drunk driving and are more prone to accidents and injuries.
Serving alcohol to minors is illegal and can result in significant legal consequences for the business. Businesses found guilty of serving minors can face hefty fines, legal fees, and potential loss of license.
ID scanners can prevent underage drinking by verifying the age of customers before serving them alcohol. The scanners can quickly and accurately verify the age of the individual and alert staff if the customer is underage. This can help businesses avoid serving minors, thereby avoiding legal and financial consequences.
ID scanners can also help businesses track customer age demographics, which can be helpful for marketing and inventory purposes. By identifying the age of customers, businesses can better target their marketing efforts and adjust their inventory accordingly.
5. Detect Fake IDs
Fake IDs have become increasingly sophisticated, making it difficult for businesses to detect them without advanced technology. ID scanners use a combination of UV light, magnetic stripe reading, and scanning capabilities to identify the authenticity of an ID.
By cross-referencing the information on the ID with databases and blacklists of known fake IDs, ID scanners can quickly and accurately identify whether an ID is genuine.
ID scanners use various techniques to detect fake IDs, such as verifying the individual’s age, checking the ID’s expiration date, and examining the holograms, micro-printing, and other security features on the ID.
They can also compare the information on the ID to a database of known fake IDs, ensuring that businesses can easily spot fraudulent IDs and prevent underage drinking.
6. Monitor Guest Lists
ID scanners can also serve as an effective tool for monitoring guest lists at events or venues. Scanning IDs upon entry helps track the establishment and ensure that only authorized individuals are present.
This can be particularly important for events with limited capacity or private parties where the host wants to control who is in attendance.
ID scanners can be programmed to capture information such as the date and time of entry, the ID number, and other details of the individual. This data can then be used to generate a guest list or to cross-check against pre-approved lists.
In this way, ID scanners can provide an additional security layer and help prevent unwanted guests from entering the premises.
7. Streamline Operations
Investing in an ID scanner can streamline operations in several ways. For instance, businesses can use ID scanners to verify the age of customers quickly and efficiently, reducing the need for manual checks and speeding up the admission process.
Numerous businesses in the retail industry use ID scanners to quickly verify customer age during alcohol and tobacco sales, reducing the likelihood of legal liabilities and improving compliance with regulations.
8. Collect Data and Insights
ID scanners are not just tools for age verification and security; they can also collect valuable data and insights about your business. By scanning IDs, businesses can collect data on customer demographics, peak hours, and popular products.
ID scanners can collect data and insights by scanning the information on an individual’s ID card. This information includes the individual’s name, age, address, and ID number.
9. Stay Ahead of Competition
ID scanners can be an excellent investment for businesses looking for a competitive edge. In industries such as hospitality, where underage drinking and fake IDs are prevalent, using an ID scanner can set a business apart from competitors who do not employ this technology.
By utilizing the features of ID scanners, such as monitoring guest lists and collecting data, businesses can gain insights that will help them optimize their operations and improve their offerings.
Many popular nightclubs in Los Angeles use ID scanners to set themselves apart. By using ID scanners at the entrance, the nightclub can quickly and efficiently verify the age and authenticity of IDs.
Example: A sports bar in New York City invested in ID scanners to prevent underage drinking and reduce liability. By using ID scanners to verify the age of patrons, the sports bar has ensured a safe and enjoyable environment for all guests.
This has resulted in positive reviews and word-of-mouth recommendations, which have helped the sports bar stand out in a competitive market.
Investing in ID scanners can benefit businesses from increased security and safety to streamlined operations and enhanced customer experiences.
If you’re a business owner or manager, it’s time to consider implementing ID scanners in your establishment. With their many benefits, ID scanners are an essential tool for any business that serves alcohol or hosts events. Don’t wait until an incident occurs – take action now to protect your business and patrons.
