Fake ID crackdown leads to hundreds of summonses, seizures, with many on Long Island, state says

A summer season crackdown on fake ID use led to more than 300 summonses being issued and almost 350 fake ID cards being seized statewide, with dozens of each on Long Island, the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles said Monday.

Almost all of the incidents involved underage people who were caught with fake IDs at summer concert venues, bars and restaurants by a state DMV enforcement detail, part of the state DMV's annual "Operation Prevent."

The DMV said that, according to the ID verification company Veriff, 32.2% of college students have admitted owning a fake ID ordered online. Often, the DMV said, in addition to the potential dangers of illegal activities such as drinking and driving, those obtaining fake IDs often don't consider that they are sending personal information to "criminals who plan to sell the buyer's personal data" on the black market — or, even use it to commit other crimes.

Often, the production of fake IDs takes place outside the country, making prosecution and investigation difficult for law enforcement.

"Young people should think carefully about sending their most sensitive, personal information online to someone who has already proven they are willing to break the law," DMV Commissioner Mark J.F. Schroeder said in a statement released Monday by the state DMV.

According to the DMV, if a person under age 21 attempts to use a fake ID — or something like a driver's license belonging to another person — to buy alcohol, they face fines, as well as suspension or even revocation of their own driver's license for anywhere from 90 days to one year.

This past summer, the DMV said its agents issued 313 citations and seized 343 fake IDs in five statewide regions: the Capital district, Central New York, the Finger Lakes, Mid-Hudson region and Long Island. Officials said 58 citations were issued and 65 IDs were seized on Long Island.

A year ago, officials cited 307 people statewide and seized 349 fake IDs. That included 60 citations and 62 seized IDs on Long Island. In 2023, officials seized 42 fake IDs and issued 41 citations on Long Island.

In 2022, enforcement agents seized more than 580 fake IDs statewide — 92 of them on Long Island, officials said.

Enforcement is conducted by agents, including standard law enforcement agencies, as well as by investigators from agencies like the State Liquor Authority. Venues where citations were issued and IDs were seized included Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater, the Saratoga Performing Arts Center, and the Darien Lake Performing Arts Center.