<p>What would you do if you stumbled across a fake ID of your college 19 year old
college kid?</p>
<p>My kid started drinking in college, he is a very open kid, great communication. He is working full time this summer, goes out on weekends. We have drilled him on drinking and driving and are fairly confident he never would…they have a designated driver I’m told.</p>
<p>I obviously do not want my son the one who is supplying the alcohol by using this fake ID.
He can be arrested, fined, community service and loss of license for 3 months in my state…but it will be on criminal record, that’s the biggie.</p>
<p>My … uh… friend (not my son) bought a fake ID purely for drinking purposes. It came as a set, drivers license + credit card which he never used. However, when he was caught with fake ID it turned out it was stolen license + credit card so repercussions were severe. </p>
<p>I suggest you have a talk with your 19 year old.</p>
<p>Talk with them for sure. The truth is…in college, they’re going to drink. You’ll never be able to stop that. Your best option is to be honest with them and understanding. Don’t make them feel attacked because all that will happen is that they will go out and get a new one. Drinking underage is one thing…but a fake ID is far more severe crime.</p>
<p>would you take it away? I did…and will talk to him and tell him no way he is going to be the one supplying everyone else. Fake Id is a crime and so is transporting alcohol if underaged. A Fake ID around campus also means the college can tale action as well.</p>
<p>I’d take it away. At a minimum they should have to pay for getting a new one if they are going to keep drinking! And use it as a basis for a talk as well, with info on the consequences if he is caught by someone with more authority than his parent.</p>
<p>I think most college students have fake IDs at one point or another. I was told that it is better to have a real ID which belongs to someone else than to have a fake ID. My kids went to bars underage, but didn’t purchase alcohol at liquid stores. I didn’t really care as long as they didn’t get caught because I think having drinking age at 18 is silly.</p>
<p>When my kid moved into his Penn dorm I think every kid- male and female- on his floor had a fake ID. They were all comparing them while we were still there. Around Penn fake IDs were easy to use. At Penn State you can’t get away with them. At the Jersey shore fake ID is a felony and carries a big fine and community service if caught. I had a fake ID back in the 70s when we typed them ourselves on stolen or counterfeit license stock. </p>
<p>I had no real control over the fake ID situation with my son. I don’t think my daughter had one and just drank at parties.</p>
<p>Fake IDs, as mentioned before is a serious crime. Being caught drinking underage on campus tends to be much milder. I’d talk with kid and be prepared to discuss how/where ID was found/ discovered. I believe fake IDs in our state are misdemeanor, which can involve possible jail sentence. Purchasing and supplying alcohol to those under 21 is a whole additional crime. Discuss.</p>
<p>I agree with Oldfort. Both of my Ds used an id obtained from an older friend in college. Not altered, but not their own. The pictures on the ids looked like my Ds. (Geeps, by “fake” do you mean altered, or someone else’s id, like my Ds?)</p>
<p>My Ds were open with me about it. I had used one myself years ago. I made sure they knew it was unlawful and that there could be serious consequences if they were caught, but I did not take them away. My Ds were adults and I expected them to take responsibility for their actions.</p>
<p>Bay…it must have been purchased…The tech. today is unreal…looks almost identical to state license, halograms and all. I compared to my license, laminate is a bit more shiny and some lettering a little different, but all in all, looks legit.</p>
<p>Not believing the drinking age should be 21 is irrelevant IMO…you can’t go around picking and choosing what laws you should are should not follow…not good advice and silly IMO.</p>
<p>Getting into clubs at college is one thing, but my main concern is over Summer break, being the one responsible for obtaining the alcohol for friends and transporting…both crimes.</p>
This is absolutely not a true statement. I agree that if someone WANTS to drink then they likely will but certainly not ‘every’ student drinks. Maybe you meant the statement the way I just wrote it.</p>
<p>
It’s not relevant what age people think should be the legal drinking age.</p>
<p>The OP’s kid broke the law by having a fake license. He’s likely breaking it further by drinking underage. The fact that he’s using a fake license means he’s not being discreet about his drinking (i.e. he’s likely buying alcohol with it either at a store or at a bar) and therefore he stands a chance of getting caught with it with varying consequences.</p>
<p>I think you should take it away from him, tell him not to get another one (and forfeit any others he might have), and have another discussion with him about the points you raised in your OP and reach an agreement with some promises from him. If you’re funding his college you could put financial consequences on his not complying if you wish.</p>
<p>Fwiw, I know very, very few people with fake IDs. We all just had older friends. Seems to be highly different depending on what campus you’re on.</p>
<p>Personally, I think having a fake ID is just stupid. It’s really not hard to find someone to buy alcohol for you. The only thing you’d need it for is getting in to a bar or something and even then you can usually find 18 or 19+ bars in college towns. I also think you’re right to be concerned about providing to others. Does he really not have friends 21+ who will get the alcohol for him and friends?</p>
<p>^ well I hope he wouldn’t have 21+ year old friends dumb enough to be buying alcohol for the underage…and no, he doesn’t hang with 21+ year olds over the Summer, he hangs with kids his own age.</p>
<p>I would shred it and let him know it. That would be for my benefit with the full knowledge that he would likely get another. I don’t know if my kids had fake IDs. The one who would have wanted one is lazy and would have only had one if it was easy to get. When I was in college I used my older sisters expired license. I used it to get into places not to buy alcohol.</p>
<p>True story. My D’s friend who is a sweet girl but not always the brightest. She was pulled over for talking on her cell phone. She gave the CHP her fake ID. The officer took away the ID and ticketed her for talking on her cell.</p>
<p>OP, as you did, I would take it away and have a talk about honesty and integrity (though this might be a bit uncomfortable depending on how you “stumbled” across it.) I would feel justified in taking it away in that I would not want it in my house. I would acknowledge my child’s ability to get another if he chooses but add that I can’t condone it and the consequences could be very severe.</p>