Systems and methods include an application operating on a device. The application causes the graphic user interface of the device to display an initial instruction to obtain a full-view image that positions all of an item within a field of view of a camera on the device. The application automatically recognizes identified features of the full-view image, by using a processor in communication with the camera. After displaying the initial instruction, the application causes the graphic user interface to display a subsequent instruction to obtain a zoom-in image that positions only a portion of the item within the field of view of the camera. Also the application automatically recognizes patterns from the zoom-in image, using the processor. Furthermore the application performs an authentication process using the identified features and the patterns to determine whether the item is valid, using the processor.