In June 2025, Marianna Police arrested a store clerk after an undercover operation caught them selling a vape product to a minor. The employee was taken into custody, and the store now faces serious legal and reputational consequences.

Unfortunately, this isn't an isolated event. Undercover stings and arrests are happening nationwide, and businesses that don’t verify age with reliable tools are paying the price.

The Real-World Cost of Not Using an ID Scanner

Across the U.S., store employees and owners are being cited or arrested for selling vape and tobacco products to underage customers:

- Bowling Green, OH: Multiple shop employees were cited for underage vape sales during a May 2025 sting.

- Pierce Township, OH: A vape shop manager was arrested on 10 counts of underage sales after repeated warnings.

- Newtown, OH: Undercover investigation led to arrests at a local smoke shop for selling to underage individuals.

- Shelton, CT: Smoke shops caught selling both tobacco and illegal THC products to minors; clerks charged on-site.

- Stamford, CT: Undercover checks led to infractions and at least one arrest for vape cartridge sales to minors.

- Cromwell, CT: Six businesses cited for selling electronic nicotine delivery systems to people under 21.

Why ID Scanners Are No Longer Optional

These incidents show that relying on visual ID checks or staff judgment is no longer enough. Human error, fake IDs, and high turnover all contribute to compliance failures.

Minor Decliner’s ID scanners are your first line of defense:

- Accurate age verification – instantly confirms whether a customer is 21+

- Fake ID detection – powered by Intellicheck, with over 90% accuracy

- Compliance logs – create a digital paper trail to prove due diligence

- Fast, easy, and autonomous – scans take under 2 seconds and don’t require POS integration

One Mistake Can Cost You Everything

From Ohio to Florida to Connecticut, authorities are enforcing age-restricted sales laws with zero tolerance. A single sale to a minor could result in:

- Criminal charges for your employee

- Fines up to $10,000 per offense

- Suspension or loss of your business license

- Media coverage and permanent loss of customer trust

Protect Your Business with Minor Decliner

Whether you manage a convenience store, gas station, vape shop, or smoke shop, ID scanners are cheap insurance to protect your business.

- No monthly contracts
- Optional fake ID check service with pay-as-you-go pricing
- Easy to set up and use—no IT team required