How To Spot Fake United States Military ID Cards

Spotting Military ID Cards Is Not Hard

If Someone Sends You A Photo Of Their Military ID Cards They Are A Scammer!

That is because it is illegal for United States Military personnel to copy their ID cards. It is that simple!

Spotting fake military ID cards is not difficult. If someone sends you a photo of a military ID, you can always assume they are a scammer.

United States military personnel are not allowed to copy or share images of their ID cards under any circumstances. That rule is strict and non-negotiable. If you are shown one, it is a violation of military regulations, which means it is almost certainly fake.

Many people still want to know exactly how to identify a fake card, so we have put together guidance to help you recognize them. This information is meant to help you protect yourself and avoid falling victim to military impersonation scams.

For security reasons, this page is not accessible from all locations. It blocks all of Africa and most of the Middle East to reduce exposure to known scammer regions. Even with these precautions, understand that scammers are often slow to adapt. Once they learn a method that works, they tend to keep using it rather than updating their approach. This delay gives you an advantage when you understand the signs of a fake card and stay alert.

1. Next Generation Uniformed Services ID Card

The United States Department of Defense replaced its older paper-based Uniformed Services Identification (USID) card with a more secure, modern version called the Next Generation USID card. This updated card features a new design, enhanced security elements to reduce counterfeiting and fraud, and is printed on durable plastic cardstock.

Issuing of the Next Generation USID card began on July 31, 2020, at select Department of Defense ID card facilities. The rollout expanded in phases to all facilities and was completed by December 2020. The card is provided to retired and reserve members, dependent family members of uniformed service members, and other eligible individuals under Department of Defense policy. It is used to access benefits, privileges, and Department of Defense bases. The updated design did not change who is eligible to receive the card.

Older USID cards are still valid until their printed expiration date. However, if your older card shows an indefinite (INDEF) expiration date, you may replace it with the Next Generation USID card at any time.

Next Generation USID Card Type

Notice that the latest cards are HORIZONTAL and no longer VERTICAL.

Armed Forces of the United States – Geneva Conventions Identification Card

Members of the Individual Ready Reserves and Inactive National Guard. Non-CAC-eligible civilian noncombatant personnel deployed in conjunction with military operations overseas

U.S. Department of Defense / Uniformed Services – Sponsor Identification and Privilege Card

• Retired members who are entitled to retired pay
• Members of the Temporary Disability Retired List (TDRL)
• Members of the Permanent Disability Retired List (PDRL)
• Retired members of the Reserves and National Guard
• Medal of Honor recipients
• 100% Disabled Veterans
• Former members in receipt of retired pay
• Transitional Health Care Member (TAMP)
• Full-time paid United Service Organizations (USO) personnel when serving OCONUS
• United Seaman’s Service (USS) Personnel OCONUS
• Officers and Crews of MSC vessels deployed to foreign countries
• Other benefits-eligible categories as described in DoD policy

U.S. Department of Defense / Uniformed Services – Dependent Identification and Privilege Card

Dependents of:

• Active duty Service members of the regular components
• Reserve component Service members on active duty for more than 30 days
• Retirees
• Medal of Honor recipients
• Former members in receipt of retired pay
• Transitional Health Care Members (TAMP)
• 100% Disabled Veterans
• Ship’s Officers and Crewmembers of NOAA Vessels
• Reserve members not on active duty or in receipt of retired pay
• Former members not in receipt of retired pay
• Reserve Service members who die after receipt of NOE

Surviving Dependents of:

• Active duty and retired Service members
• Medal of Honor recipients
• Other benefits-eligible categories as described in DoD policy

Color Coding

White: Current/Former Uniformed Service Members, their Dependents, and All Remaining Personnel

Blue Bar: Non-U.S. Citizen Sponsors and their Dependents

2. Old Style United States Military ID Cards Are Called “CAC” – Common Access Cards

Common Access Card (CAC): The CAC Military ID Card (a “smart” card about the size of a credit card), is the standard identification for active duty uniformed Service personnel, Selected Reserve, U.S. Department of Defence [DoD] civilian employees, and eligible contractor personnel.  It is also the principal card used to enable physical access to buildings and controlled spaces, and it provides access to DoD computer networks and systems.

CAC Military ID Cards Types & Eligibility

The four different types of Military ID Cards are listed below.  The card you will be eligible for will be determined by your “Sponsor,” the person affiliated with the DoD or other federal agency responsible for verifying and authorizing your need for an ID card.  The uses of the card depend on the component/Command that you support.  Each component/Command can customize the CAC to meet its specific needs.

Armed Forces of the United States Geneva Conventions Military ID Cards

The standard card for active duty personnel in accordance with Geneva Conventions requirements.

• • Active Duty Armed Forces
  • Selected Reserves
  • Reserve and National Guard Members on active duty for more than 30 days
  • Contracted Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) cadets
  • National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
  • U.S. Public Health Services (PHS)

Affiliation:

• • Displays Branch Of Service

U.S. DoD and/or Uniformed Services Military ID Cards

The standard card for qualifying civilian employees, contractors, and foreign national affiliates who need access to DoD installations, and computer systems.

• • DoD and uniformed Services civilian employees (appropriated and non-appropriated)
  • Eligible DoD, USCG, and NOAA contractors
  • Non-DoD civilian employees to include: USCG and NOAA, state employees working in support of the National Guard, Intergovernmental Personnel Act employees, and non-DoD federal employees working in support of DoD

Affiliation:

• • Senior Executive Service (SES)
  • Civilians
  • Civilian affiliates
  • Federal affiliates
  • Military affiliates

U.S. DoD and/or Uniformed Services Geneva Conventions Military ID Cards for Civilians Accompanying the Armed Forces

The standard card for civilians accompanying the Armed Forces.

• • Emergency-essential civilian employees
  • Contingency contractor personnel

Affiliation:

• • Senior Executive Service (SES)
  • Civilians
  • Contractors

U.S. DoD and/or Uniformed Services Military ID Cards and Privilege Card

The standard card grants applicable benefits and privileges for civilian employees, contractors, and foreign national military, as well as other eligible personnel.

• • DoD and uniformed Services civilian employees (appropriated and non-appropriated) when residing on a military installation within the United States and U.S. Territories and Possessions, or when stationed or employed and residing in foreign countries for at least 365 days
  • DoD contractors when stationed or employed and residing in foreign countries for at least 365 days
  • DoD Presidential appointees
  • Uniformed and non-uniformed full-time paid personnel of the Red Cross assigned to duty with the uniformed Services within the United States and U.S. Territories and Possessions when residing on a military installation, or in foreign countries
  • Eligible foreign military

Affiliation:

• • Senior Executive Service (SES)
  • Civilians
  • Contractors
  • Civilian affiliates
  • Federal affiliates
  • Military affiliates
• Images are kept small to help prevent potential abuse.

CAC Military ID Cards Color Coding

•  Blue Bar: Non-U.S. Citizen

• 

• Green Bar: Contractors

  

• White: All Remaining Personnel

  

3. Legacy Card Types

This style of cards is no longer in use, and no longer valid.

4. It Is Unlawful To Photograph, Scan, Photocopy, or Otherwise Duplicate United States Military ID Cards

It is the same for ALL United States Government ID Cards

The law reads, “Whoever manufactures, sells, or possesses any badge, identification card or other insignia of the design prescribed by the head of any department or agency of the United States for use by any officer or employee thereof, or any colorable imitation thereof, or photographs, prints, or in any other manner makes or executes any engraving, photograph, print, or impression in the likeness of any such badge, identification card, or other insignia, or any colorable imitation thereof, except as authorized under regulations made pursuant to law, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than six months, or both.”

Commercial establishments can ask to see your card to verify military affiliation or to provide government rates for services, but they can’t photocopy it. So if they ask to do so, tell them no. Give them a state driver’s license or another form of photo identification instead.

Photocopied cards might be used for counterfeiting purposes, with no real safeguards against it. Since criminals and terrorists value U.S. government IDs when they’re trying to plan acts against the U.S. military, civilians, or other persons it is best to not give them that chance. Thus, any stranger you meet online who shows you a government ID card is automatically a scammer.

This law does NOT apply to medical establishments like hospitals and doctor’s offices that are allowed to make a copy for filing insurance claims. It also doesn’t apply to other government agencies that are using the copied ID to perform official government business.

5. How To Spot A Fake Military ID Card

This applies to physical ID carts that might be presented to you, but can provide insights when you see an illegal photo of an ID card.

5 Steps To Follow

It only takes a few basic steps to tell a fake military ID from a real one. Once you understand these steps, you can recognize pretenders who are trying to take advantage of you.

Step 1: Learn the Different Types of Military ID Cards

The first step is knowing which ID cards active duty personnel, veterans, and their families use to access benefits. Each branch of the military issues specific identification, and these cards have defined purposes. If you understand what a legitimate card should look like and who is entitled to it, it becomes much harder for someone to fool you.

Common Access Card (CAC)

The Common Access Card is the standard ID for active duty members, Selected Reserve, and certain Department of Defense employees. About the size of a credit card, it provides access to secure network systems and identifies the holder’s affiliation. Some civilian employees and contractors also receive CACs if their role requires it.

Armed Forces of the United States Geneva Conventions Identification Card
Issued by the Department of Defense, this card identifies members of the Armed Forces and their dependents. It allows access to bases, commissaries, and medical care either through the military health system or TRICARE.

U.S. Department of Defense or Uniformed Services Identification Card
This card is given to family members, retirees, reservists, inactive National Guard members, members on the Temporary or Permanent Disability Retired List, retired reserve not yet drawing pay, and 100% disabled veterans. It is also issued to certain eligible civilians, foreign military personnel, and support staff serving overseas.

U.S. DoD or Uniformed Services Geneva Conventions Identification Card for Civilians
This card is for civilian employees and contractors who need limited access to military facilities based on their duties.

Uniformed Services ID (USID) Card

Also called the Next Generation USID Card, this version was introduced in July 2020. It is usually issued to retirees and family members to confirm eligibility for military benefits and privileges.

Step 2: Conduct a Visual Inspection of the Card

Begin by looking closely at the card’s overall appearance. Pay attention to its markings, design elements, and any visible security features. Genuine military ID cards are created with precision to prevent forgery, and a fake card will often show obvious warning signs. These may include:

Inconsistent fonts or colors. If the lettering style varies in unusual ways or the color patterns appear uneven, you are likely looking at a fake card. Watch for smudged or bleeding colors that suggest poor-quality printing.

Spelling errors. Authentic military ID cards are produced with care. Even the smallest typo would be unacceptable. If you spot spelling mistakes or grammatical errors, consider it a red flag.

Poor-quality photograph. The photo on a legitimate card will be a clear, front-facing portrait taken against a plain white background. If the person is turned to the side, or if the background contains visible objects, the image was likely altered or pulled from an unrelated source.

Incorrect pay grade or rank. Many counterfeiters do not understand proper rank and pay grade structure. If the rank shown does not match the claimed position, or other details appear inconsistent, the card is likely fake.

Consistency is key. A genuine military ID will have uniform, professional details. Any irregularities should prompt further verification.

Step 3: Check the Card’s Texture

Hold the card in your hand and feel both sides, including the edges. An authentic military ID will have a smooth, durable surface without bumps, ridges, or raised spots. Signs of tampering, such as overlays, glue residue, or peeling edges, suggest the card has been altered. If the surface feels uneven or if the layers begin to separate when you run a fingernail along the edge, it is not genuine.

Step 4: Verify the Information

Someone who truly serves in the military will know every detail printed on their ID. Ask the cardholder direct questions about the card’s contents while you are holding it. Purposely mispronounce or slightly alter a detail. A genuine service member will quickly correct you without hesitation.

You can also ask questions about their service history. Authentic members can share information easily and without stumbling because it is part of their lived experience. If the answers are vague, inconsistent, or overly rehearsed, you have reason to doubt the card’s authenticity.

Step 5: Observe Their Body Language and Behavior

You can often identify someone pretending to be military by watching how they carry themselves and respond to questions. Certain behaviors can reveal dishonesty, such as avoiding eye contact, pausing too long before answering, or trying to project intimidation or indifference to mask uncertainty.

A person who is posing as military may also show signs of nervousness or unease. They might fidget, shift their posture frequently, or appear tense when asked about their service. This is because they know there are serious consequences for impersonating a service member and fear being exposed.

Pay attention to these cues. While body language alone does not prove someone is lying, it can be a strong indicator when combined with other red flags you have already identified.