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Original poster

I think my 16 year old son is set to buy a fake id

27 replies

1986mam · 15/07/2025 08:47

My son is 16, (17 in 5 months), and would most likely pass as an 18 year old at a push. When I walked past his phone the other day I noticed a message from an account that sells fake id’s. Knowing him he wouldn’t use it for clubbing, but he’s planning to travel the country over the year to watch his football team, so he’s probably trying to get served inside grounds and pubs such as Wetherspoons, even in shops at train stations ect like boots. I’m most likely not going to question him on it, as I don’t mind him having a few pints, I just want to know would his fake id pass the scanners some places have, will he be fine getting served at pubs, stadiums and shops when he shows his ID, and is their a high chance he’ll get it taken off him. Any input greatly appreciated.

OP posts:
Tinytigertail · 15/07/2025 08:52

My kids are older, but most of their friendship groups had fake IDs at that age. Some of them were really good and got them in everywhere, but a lot of them didn't pass muster in the places with the scanners. It was just the risk they had to take. I guess the fakers could have upped their game in the last couple of years, but realistically, your son won't know until he trys it out.

FutureCatMum · 15/07/2025 09:44

Most places are pretty insistent on ID’s now so there are plenty of fakes available to buy.
He’s going to have to see for himself whether the quality is good enough.
I wouldn’t worry, there’s nothing here that you can control or influence and if it gets taken off him because it’s clearly fake it’s a life lesson for him.

tripleginandtonic · 15/07/2025 09:46

16 year olds can usually get into football grounds without ID.

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Original poster
1986mam · 15/07/2025 10:04

tripleginandtonic · 15/07/2025 09:46

16 year olds can usually get into football grounds without ID.

I was talking about getting served beer inside grounds. He’s been to Matches with his mates before

OP posts:
2dogsandabudgie · 15/07/2025 10:10

1986mam · 15/07/2025 10:04

I was talking about getting served beer inside grounds. He’s been to Matches with his mates before

Show quote history

Years ago you didn't need ID in pubs to get served, it was based on whether you'd pass for 18 and if asked remembering the 'correct' year.

He'll soon find out.

EdisinBurgh · 15/07/2025 10:11

Good life lesson for him - including on comparable merits versus risk of using the black market! They don’t teach this stuff in school 😉

ThoraHeard · 15/07/2025 10:12

If it helps, op, most fake IDs you can buy are pretty rubbish and football clubs and pub chains are well aware of them and won’t serve if they have suspicions. They may also refuse to return the Id.

HauntedBungalow · 15/07/2025 10:12

You're asking Mumsnet if fake id is a good investment. 🤣

freddiewini · 15/07/2025 10:13

Most of 16/17 year old get fake IDs. If he’s a good kid who is wasn’t worried about I would just leave him to it.

saveforthat · 15/07/2025 10:22

freddiewini · 15/07/2025 10:13

Most of 16/17 year old get fake IDs. If he’s a good kid who is wasn’t worried about I would just leave him to it.

Is this true that most 16/17 year olds get fake ID? My son certainly didn't but he is nearly 30 now so I suppose things have moved on.

GrannyAchingsShepherdsHut · 15/07/2025 10:23

I imagine the worst that will happen is he'll have it taken off him and it'll be a waste of money. Is it expensive?

It's not a fake official gov document / copy of one, like a passport or driving licence is it? There's a possibility that might actually get him in trouble.

I ask because I had a carefully doctored (on Microsoft Paint!) scan and print of my passport at that age to get into clubs, which I'd imagine these days might not be the best idea!

GrannyAchingsShepherdsHut · 15/07/2025 10:23

saveforthat · 15/07/2025 10:22

Is this true that most 16/17 year olds get fake ID? My son certainly didn't but he is nearly 30 now so I suppose things have moved on.

Show quote history

My parents would say the same about me...

AnSolas · 15/07/2025 10:25

Depending on the ID it can be a criminal offence to have fake ID.

He has a low chance of being caught and charged but it is one of the offences which end up being a big nono for visa applications.

loulouljh · 15/07/2025 10:25

I suspect they all do it. I would not worry that much.

LondonPapa · 15/07/2025 10:31

1986mam · 15/07/2025 08:47

My son is 16, (17 in 5 months), and would most likely pass as an 18 year old at a push. When I walked past his phone the other day I noticed a message from an account that sells fake id’s. Knowing him he wouldn’t use it for clubbing, but he’s planning to travel the country over the year to watch his football team, so he’s probably trying to get served inside grounds and pubs such as Wetherspoons, even in shops at train stations ect like boots. I’m most likely not going to question him on it, as I don’t mind him having a few pints, I just want to know would his fake id pass the scanners some places have, will he be fine getting served at pubs, stadiums and shops when he shows his ID, and is their a high chance he’ll get it taken off him. Any input greatly appreciated.

He should wise up and get a legit ID from an Eastern European country just with an amended date of birth and they’ll pass all the scan checks without fail.

But every kid does it so I wouldn’t worry about a fake ID. Not unless it’s being used for more than buying a pint.

Dbank · 15/07/2025 10:32

Whilst it might seem relatively harmless, is he aware that he's committing a criminal offence, namely fraudulent misrepresentation?

Admittedly, It's very unlikely he would be prosecuted, especially at 16, but it's not unknown, especially when combined with another offence.

Good luck with the conversation...

FrenchandSaunders · 15/07/2025 10:50

Mine did it at that age, but rather than fake online, it was borrowing friends driving licences that looked vaguely like them and memorising DOB. It would need to be a very good fake to pass the scanners these days.

Pinty · 15/07/2025 10:56

I must be extremely naive as I had no idea that most 16 and 17 year olds had fake ID.
If I was his parent it would worry me and I wouldn't want him drinking alcohol in a football ground either.
Why the rush to drink alcohol in bars and pubs anyway can't they have a good time without drinking.
I know how easy and quickly alcohol can ruin lives though.

NeverDropYourMooncup · 15/07/2025 11:04

Guess the people traffickers need a second, more passive income. Yeah, he can have a punt, maybe it'll be of the standard they use for getting children in and out for paedophile clients, maybe it'll be a simple way for him to pay them to nick his identity for somebody to get in/back in to blow up a football ground or train station. But he might get a warm pint of piss out of it.

LavenderBlue19 · 15/07/2025 11:08

I wouldn't be too worried at 16, so long as he's generally fairly sensible and you don't think he'll be drinking excessively/with people who will start fights etc.

We all had fake IDs in the late 90s - someone at my school was running a racket with NUS cards. No scanners in those days of course - if he doesn't buy a good enough copy it won't work anyway.

maudelovesharold · 15/07/2025 11:13

Haha! This is a refreshing post for MN! I felt sure you were going to ask if you should report him to the police, or ground him till he’s 18!

Parky04 · 15/07/2025 12:29

Dbank · 15/07/2025 10:32

Whilst it might seem relatively harmless, is he aware that he's committing a criminal offence, namely fraudulent misrepresentation?

Admittedly, It's very unlikely he would be prosecuted, especially at 16, but it's not unknown, especially when combined with another offence.

Good luck with the conversation...

You're fun!

Thepersianrice · 15/07/2025 12:38

Something I found amusing lately was that my teen attempted to get served in a pub using a junior bank card 😅
In fact it wasn’t blocked by the pub but by the bank, who blocks its use in pubs. I thought this was quite good. Presumably most kids wouldn’t be so daft.
Anyway most of them try their luck with fake id’s ime, although they’re mostly completely crap and get confiscated pretty much immediately. Sometimes i preferred that my teens would be in a pub, with door staff and other people and drinks that are expensive to consume , rather than drinking vodka in a park.
I much prefer the way of some European countries that allow 16/17 year olds to drink wine or beer (but not spirits) in a bar.

quicklywick · 15/07/2025 12:41

Let him crack on he's nearly 17 and you said he's a good kid. I use to have one so did most of my friends

mondaytosunday · 15/07/2025 12:56

My son had one no issues but I don’t know if it was scanned ever. At matches his older brother would buy him a pint.
He’s always looked older he was buying pints without an ID at 15.

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