By Sara Casareto ’16

With beach week occurring this time of year and college just around the corner for many, this is a popular time for seniors and juniors to get fake IDs. Fake IDs are primarily used to buy and obtain alcohol or go to 21-and-over clubs.

“I use my fake ID to get alcohol and to have a good time,” said a female junior who wishes to remain anonymous. “It’s really convenient.”

In the Sherwood community students who use fake or real IDs for illegal purposes are generally upperclassmen. One common way of getting alcohol is borrowing a sibling’s ID. “I use my sister’s ID. She’s in college and I look just like her,” said another anonymous female junior. In general, however, many people buy fake IDs through a friend who “deals” them. This is when the individual puts in orders for other people, for a certain price. The step by step process is that one person pays the dealer a certain price. With that money, the dealer puts in the order for the fake ID while making a profit. Connections never hurt either; if a student knows the dealer, the ID will usually be cheaper. “I got it from my brother’s friend,” said an anonymous male senior. “It cost me $50.”

Another common way to get a fake ID is buying it online. IDChief, a Chinese website that disappeared in 2012 after U.S. senator complaints to the Chinese ambassador, is still a primary source. The site, or one assuming its name, has now reappeared, with prices ranging from $250-500 per person depending on the number ordered.

The possibility of getting alcohol or being able to get into clubs offsets the risk for students with fake IDs. The general belief among students is that the worst that can happen is that it is either taken away or they get a fine.

As a matter of fact, there have been many cases in which those caught with a fake ID get more than a slap on the wrist. Considered identity fraud in the state of Maryland, using a fake ID where one assumes the persona of another or borrows someone older sibling’s ID can result in fines ranging from $5,000 to $25,000. The more alcohol bought using a fake ID, the larger the fine and the harsher the punishment. Depending on how one benefited from the ID usage, the crime can be considered either a misdemeanor or a felony. The punishment for misrepresenting one’s age through a fake ID can include a hefty fine as well as the possibility of jail time. If caught trying to use a fake ID, those convicted can also have their real driver’s license revoked for six months on the first offense or up to a year on a second offense.

There are also long-term effects of using a fake ID. Studies on underage drinking done by the University of Maryland School of Public Health show that those who use fake IDs are more likely to participate in heavy-drinking activities and to later develop alcohol abuse disorders.