Sometimes you'll see a site that promises "no age verification required" or "instant checkout with no ID." That might sound convenient, but it's a huge warning sign. If a retailer isn't verifying age, they're likely breaking the law, and they're probably not careful about other things either—like product quality or shipping regulations.

I've seen stores that let you checkout without ever asking for a birth date. Those are the ones that are more likely to sell counterfeit products or ship to states where they're not licensed. For an adult buyer, that's a risk you don't need to take.

Another flashy failure is the age verification service that asks for too much. Some sites try to collect your full SSN, or they want to take a selfie and hold onto it. That's overkill. Legitimate services only need the minimum to confirm your age. If a store asks for more than that, question why. You should never give out your full SSN, and you certainly shouldn't share a selfie with a random website.

So, what works? Boring, reliable verification. The type that checks your ID, confirms you're over 21, and moves on. No drama, no endless forms, no risk of identity theft.