Verifying your ID during lockdown?

 

 

Verification of identity during the current pandemic has become more difficult. The FCA have published guidance and accept that firms will need to take a different approach to the verification of identity during the current pandemic. The FCA have suggested using a combination of selfies and scanned documentation sent by email (to avoid the risk of contamination).

 

There are a number of things we can do:

 

• Video call the client and ask that they hold up their photo ID and show it to you. Ask the client to send a photo of their ID that they have shown. The solicitor who had the video call can then certify the copy ID as a true likeness of the individual who they have met via video

 

• If a video call is not available, ask the client to hold their photo ID next to their face, have someone take a photo of them and then send that photo to the solicitor with conduct of the matter. The solicitor should then view the photo and can certify the photo as a true likeness of the individual

 

• If the above cannot happen (maybe because the client is on their own and they cannot manage taking a photo in this way) ask the client to take a photo of their photo ID and then a separate photo of themselves (a selfie) and email those to the solicitor who can then inspect the photos and again certify the photo as being a true likeness of the individual

 

If you have any questions regarding verifying your identification please do not hesitate to contact us, we are here to help.