To combat the use of fake IDs when buying alcohol, the Ministry of Public Security authorized the Ames organization to carry out ID scanners that would make fake IDs almost meaningless.

The CardCom gadget reads the attractive stripes on the back of an Iowa driver’s license for data such as driver’s license number, driver’s license expiration date, and driver’s date of birth.

DPS Lt. Isra Harahap said the scanners will help reduce underage drinking. He said there would be fewer minors buying alcohol through illegal means, as illegally produced id card fakes would be obtained through scanners.

“Despite the proximity of many people with new personal computer equipment and various printers, it is difficult to replicate ID cards,” he said.

Harahap said CardCom would be a successful way to counteract mechanical advances and make it easier to make a fake id.

According to an article in the Iowa Journal, CardCom is ubiquitous among the many liquor sellers near Iowa College.

It’s available now at Aircraft, Iowa City bars, and Iowa City Hy-Vees, with another Iowa City bar, The Fieldhouse, coming soon.

Airplane’s partner Randy Larson said he introduced the gadget directly in his bar.

“We knew as soon as we heard it,” he said. “I kind of sneered when different bars said they were considering getting it before the fall. It only took about three days from request to introduction.”

Larson said he thinks the establishment of CardCom has impressed pub supporters and the local area.

“All the while, everyone who comes to us realizes that we have reconsidered it. We will try not to serve minors,” he said.

Larson said the scanners did not trace any illegal IDs.

“It’s likely to be a preventative procedure because we haven’t experienced it yet,” he said. “It makes no difference because it doesn’t hurt our business by any stretch of the imagination.”

However, despite its popularity in Iowa City, Ames entrepreneurs have been hesitant to use CardCom.

Ryan Spooner, administrator of The Barrel Shop, 218 Welch Ave., said he had some concerns that made him reluctant to use the gadget in his store.

While CardCom can distinguish between lost or stolen IDs, it cannot identify underage consumers trying to use scannable fake IDs, Spooner said.

“Suppose someone uses another person’s ID, what’s the problem?” he said.

Another downside to relying on CardCom, Spooner said, is that more sophisticated Iowa driver’s licenses exist, but don’t have the attractive strips. The large number of out-of-state students and students with military status also makes relying on CardCom challenging, he said.

Spooner said if The Barrel Shop absolutely didn’t like the id card fake, he’d go to CardCom, which sells it for $300.

While the DPS is pushing for the use of CardCom, Ames Police Chief Dennis Ballantine said his area of ​​expertise is currently unrelated to scanner enforcement.