Digital identity verification can help to solve the problem of not knowing exactly who you are dealing with — here’s how.
Do you really know your customer?
Is the person you are speaking to who they say they are? Is their passport, driving license, or ID genuine, or is it fake? When it comes to things like new account openings or high-risk transactions, one of the most essential factors is knowing who you are dealing with. In banks, for example, a customer might turn up to show their face, alongside their ID, and appear very trustworthy, but it is still possible to get a fake identity and claim to be somebody else. Customers can do that in the physical world, but also in the digital world. Because in the digital world, you can’t physically see the person or look them in the eye. So, the point is to make it as difficult as possible for somebody to assume a fake identity. And a digital identity verification can give you the confidence that a customer is who they say they are.
The risks for your business of not knowing your customer
For starters, there is the risk of losing out on business. If you don’t know exactly who that customer is, then that user will not fulfill your obligations and you will not get your money. But there are also regulatory risks involved. If you do not know your customer and manage your regulations, there may be money laundering cases which you, as a business, could be associated with. This, in turn, can gain negative publicity. The only way to stop money laundering (and the negative consequences of this, like terrorism and slavery) is to stop the money flow, and we do that by identifying people. Digital identity verification can help to protect yourself and your business from the risk of fraud.
What regulations do I need to meet?
For more complex services, like those offered by financial institutions, insurance firms, and telecommunications operators, there are strict Know Your Customer (KYC) and Anti-Money Laundering (AML) requirements. KYC is a significant part of the fight against financial crime. Companies can refuse to open an account or they can halt a business relationship if the customer fails to meet minimum KYC requirements. But the overall purpose of AML is to help financial entities protect against the risks of money laundering and financing of crime. Not only do you need to know who the customer is, but you also need to monitor their transactions.
How do I know who is verified and who is unverified?
A digital identity is a general term for all the digital information available about a customer. It is based on information that was provided by the customer, in short, it is the customer’s word against yours. For example, a digital identity might be their Instagram biography, their Facebook profile or even a Spotify profile. It is a facet of a person’s social identity and it is ‘unverified’. A ‘verified’ digital identity is one issued by a service provider, typically compliant with AML and any other regulations.
Trust is the fundamental requisite here. And, it is important for businesses to look for a digital identity verification provider that has regulatory approval with digital methods that establish the identity of a person. Not only would it be safe and efficient for your business, but having strong digital identity verification technology can strengthen the relations with the end-customer using your services. Why? Because they know it’s safe.
To conclude: Why do I need digital identity verification?
- Digital identity verification can help protect your business from risks such as fraud and money laundering.
- With a verified digital identity, you know who to trust and your customer knows to trust you.
- It makes it difficult for customers to assume a fake identity.
