It’s been eight years since the federal government cracked down on Web sites that offered templates for fake drivers’ licenses.

Yet the problem with forged drivers’ licenses continues and is especially problematic for notaries.

One of the most important aspects of notarial work is the proper identification of the customer.

Acceptable identification in the form of a current, government-issued identification document (ID) with a photograph or physical description and a signature, such as a driver’s license, is one way to prove the identity of the person before you requesting notarization.

To make forging drivers’ licenses more difficult, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) last year installed new photo technology and equipment at its 97 Photo License Centers throughout the Commonwealth. Now drivers’ licenses and nondriver photo ID cards feature a new overlay and other security features that should help decrease the risk of fraud.

The state also began issuing temporary drivers’ licenses and nondriver photo ID cards to new drivers and new residents. These temporary cards are valid for 15 days so PennDOT has time to verify the individual’s photo and name within its database. Once the validation is complete, a permanent driver’s license or photo ID card is mailed to the recipient.

Yet, despite this new technology, forged drivers’ licenses still exist.

So how can you tell if someone is using a forged ID?

• Watch for signs of nervousness.
• Compare the person to the ID photo.
• Look for signs of tampering. Fuzzy numbers or letters, red eye in the photo or bumpy surfaces are good clues of a fake ID.

If you are not convinced that the ID card is legitimate, you can always refuse service.