Identity verification
Myth-busting identity verification
Identity verification is the process of confirming that a person is who they say they are. It typically involves validating an individual’s personal information, such as a name or date of birth, against identity documents or other official records and databases. Verifying a person’s identity is crucial for safe and trusted transactions. It helps you to protect your business from fraud, prevent deepfake attacks and comply with regulations. Addressing misconceptions about identity verification There’s lots of conflicting information out there about how you can verify your customers’ identities. We’re here to dispel some commonly-held myths about identity verification.
An overview of changes to Companies House identity verification standard (and what it means for ACSPs)
As an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP), you’ll be aware of the upcoming changes to the Companies House identity verification standard. In 2025, anyone setting up, running, owning or controlling a company in the UK, namely directors and persons with significant control (PSCs), will be required to verify their identity to prove who they are. These changes come as part of the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 and aim to prevent anyone seeking to use Companies House for fraudulent activities. Failing to comply with mandatory identity verification requirements could result in fines and restrictions on company activities.
The Government announces identity checks for online knife sales
The UK Government is tightening regulations on online knife sales to prevent underage access and enhance public safety. As part of this, the Home Office has published an independent report by the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC). The report explores the current practices in the market and sets out some recommendations for how to strengthen online knife sales. Here’s a snapshot of some of the proposed changes: Report suspicious purchases: retailers will need to report suspicious purchases to the police. Increased penalties and jail sentences: penalties for selling knives to under-18s will increase from 6 months to up to
Protecting your heart and wallet: understanding romance scams
It is said that love makes the world go round. But as genuine daters are looking for love, there’s a growing risk of falling into a scammer’s trap. In this blog we explore the impact of romance fraud, common tactics used by fraudsters and how daters can protect themselves in their search for love. What is romance fraud? Romance fraud occurs when a scammer uses a fake profile and false identity to trick unsuspecting people on dating sites. They usually do this for fraudulent reasons and financial gain. The fraudster will often go to great lengths, convincing
Understanding verification requirements in the new Digital Services Act
The EU’s new Digital Services Act (DSA) will apply from the 17th February this year. Originally only applicable to ‘very large online platforms’ (VLOPs) and ‘very large online search engines’ (VLOSEs) with over 45 million monthly users, it will eventually be expanded to cover all online intermediaries and platforms that offer their services to users based in the EU. These include online marketplaces, social networks, adult content companies, content sharing platforms, app stores, and online travel and accommodation platforms. To comply with certain parts of the Act, platforms will need to have effective verification of business users and support age-appropriate
Addressing social challenges: How identity verification can help solve everyday problems
At Yoti, we consider our social purpose alongside everything we do. Through every step of the design process, we think about the everyday challenges that our solutions can solve. This series looks at how our products can benefit individual users and wider society. This article focuses on how identity verification could help with some common issues. Why do we need to verify our identity online? As technology evolves, more services are moving online. Companies need to ensure that the right people can access the right services for them. This has resulted in a growing need for people to prove