Identity verification
Articles
Feb 22, 2023
How Yoti can help the financial services industry
In today’s world, the financial services industry needs to be protected now more than ever. It’s critical to the growth of the UK economy but is constantly under attack from online actors on the hunt for money. With cyber security risks increasing, we’ve been working hard to build solutions that offer as much security as possible to such an important industry, and protection from these growing threats. The need for financial institutions to have customised systems is greater than ever due to the sophisticated nature of frequent cyberattacks. As these bad actors become more sophisticated with their approaches, we’ve had to make sure that our tech matches them. As financial institutions are beginning to make bold changes to adapt to a new generation’s demands, it’s only right that our identity verification technology feels smarter as well – an instant, accessible, well-sharpened weapon to bring to the fight against fraud. We can help automate your KYC and AML checks KYC (Know Your Customer) guidance in financial services asks companies to ensure they’re able to verify the identity of those they’re going into business with, as well as assessing any risks involved within the relationship. Our all-in-one KYC and AML platform is the faster way to verify customers and launch risk-based fraud mechanisms that won’t impact the user experience. Using our KYC processes and our AI-powered solution that boasts a 97% completion rate, you’ll be able to reduce regulatory costs. We know that sometimes a human touch is reassuring though, so we’ll also provide you with the added comfort of human fallback to ensure that all bases are covered and that you don’t miss out on those genuine customers. We don’t want outdated systems to hold you back. Instead, we provide all the confidence you need during the onboarding process by screening customer information against our award-winning AML data. We connect to thousands of global sanctions and watchlists, PEPs and adverse media in real-time, allowing you to detect risk and react quickly. Using our flexible platform, you will also be armed with the ability to be across anti-money laundering and accurately detect any risks according to your risk profile. You can monitor the ongoing process by receiving real-time alerts to changes in risk status and ensure your compliance team always stays a step ahead. Doing things your way We seamlessly bring together both the customer and KYC experience in the space of minutes. Equipped with live user feedback, customers can prove their identity in one go, receiving verification just minutes later. The verification process is yours to tailor. Our suite of services support what you need, whether its ID document authentication or anti-impersonation checks. When we take things offline Our unique partnership with Post Office offers world-leading online and in-branch verification solutions. Together, we’ve set our sights on providing businesses across the UK with secure solutions that tackle identity fraud as well as giving people a safer way to prove their identity. We always strive to build tech that’s inclusive, making our solutions accessible and available to everyone, regardless of their ability to access online services themselves. And that’s what lies at the heart of this partnership with Post Office – the shared core belief that everyone should have the right to prove their identity. No-code portal = no problem. We know that IT resource is always at a premium so we’ve put systems in place to ensure your customers get where they need to be. Our no-code portal allows you to get started quickly and offer a smoother user journey, likely to increase conversion. No integration is needed – your customers can be sent a link and complete verification in one go. You can get set up within 24 hours and start sending identity checks. You can find out more about our solutions here
Case studies
Feb 07, 2023
PeopleCheck automate the background screening process to scale checks without limit
“The change in legislation was a once-in-a-generation perfect storm. The automation that’s come off the back of digital identity enables us to deliver swift onboarding and a platform that’s on the leading-edge of user experience and smart technology.” David Hutchinson People Check CEO PeopleCheck is the UK’s leading background check provider. We helped them: Meet the digital ID checking requirements for right to work and DBS. Automate significant parts of the screening process. Scale from 1 check to 1,800 in the same time. Solution: Right to Work Industry: Background screening Read the case study
Articles
Jan 27, 2023
Digital identity verification for DBS checks
The Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) has updated its guidance on how to check someone’s identity for a criminal record check. Previously, the process was only possible by seeing physical documents. During the pandemic, employers enjoyed relaxed rules which allowed them to do this via video call. However, the government has now updated their guidance to allow for digital ID verification technology. This means candidates can prove their identity online, which is an absolute game changer for employers grappling with a remote-first world. But how does the process work and should you use it? Here’s our guide to digital ID for DBS checks. What is a DBS check? A DBS check allows employers to see any criminal convictions a candidate may have on record. In some jobs, this is a legal requirement, particularly when working with vulnerable people, such as in healthcare or childcare. The check itself is processed by the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and was previously called a CRB check. There are four types of DBS checks: Basic: shows unspent convictions and conditional cautions Standard: shows spent and unspent convictions and cautions Enhanced: shows the same as a standard check plus any information held by local police that’s considered relevant to the role Enhanced with barred lists: shows the same as an enhanced check plus whether the applicant is on the list of people barred from doing the role Anyone can request a Basic DBS check on themselves directly through the government website. Employers that want to request a Basic DBS check on an employee must use a ‘responsible organisation’ (RO), which is a company registered with the DBS to submit checks. To request a Standard or Enhanced DBS check on an employee, employers must use a company known as an ‘umbrella body’. Employers that process over 100 checks a year can also choose to register with DBS. Verifying identity for DBS Before a DBS check can be processed, you first need to confirm the identity of the person being checked. Until this year, this relied on seeing original documents. However, the new guidelines now allow employers to collect and verify documents digitally. For candidates, this is as simple as submitting their documents and a selfie online. The verification process is mostly automated and uses facial matching to compare a selfie to an ID document. In addition, checks are done to make sure the image is of a real person and that the document is genuine. In addition, further checks are often completed to reach the correct level of confidence under GPG45 as required by DBS, such as a check against data held by credit reference agencies. Employers don’t have to use digital identity verification but if they do, it must be undertaken by a certified identity service provider (IDSP). Make sure you check with your chosen DBS provider if they accept digital identity checks. GPG45 for DBS When done digitally, the identity checking process must follow the government’s Good Practice Guide (GPG)45. This involves gathering evidence that supports someone’s identity and is split in five parts: Get evidence of the claimed identity Check the evidence is genuine or valid Check the claimed identity has existed over time Check if the claimed identity is at high risk of identity fraud Check that the identity belongs to the person who’s claiming it Each step in this process is scored and combined to reach a level of confidence. There are four levels of confidence: low, medium, high and very high. The levels of confidence required for DBS are: ‘Medium confidence’ for DBS Basic ‘High confidence’ for Standard and Enhanced Identity profiles for DBS There are many ways to reach a GPG45 level of confidence, depending on how each step of the identity checking process has been carried out. Different types of evidence are scored differently. For example, an ePassport scores more than a non-electronic passport or a driving licence. Similarly, the way you collect evidence is important. You can gather and verify proof of address from a driving licence or typed in by the individual and checked with a credit reference agency. The different ways you gather and check evidence to reach a specific level of confidence are called ‘identity profiles’. There are lots of identity profiles and IDSPs must be audited for each one they offer. Not all IDSPs will offer the same number of identity profiles, which means some providers will offer candidates more flexibility and less friction than others. Should you use digital identity for DBS? Digital identity is a game change for remote and hybrid working practices. Not only does it allow you to onboard employees from anywhere in the world, but it also helps you stand out in a competitive marketplace with an unbeatable candidate experience. In addition, for organisations that need to prove right to work eligibility and carry out a DBS check, some IDSPs like Yoti and Post Office are certified for both. This means you can use the same ID check for both processes, allowing you to streamline your internal practices. Of course, digital isn’t for everybody. We believe in choice and inclusivity. Candidates that would like a little assistance can verify their identity at a Post Office. Their data is digitised and returned to the business in the same way as in the online service, only they haven’t had to touch a keyboard. How Yoti and Post Office are digitising the DBS process Yoti and Post Office were the first government-certified IDSP for both DBS and Right to Work. Since the change in guidance, we’ve helped some of the UK’s biggest background screening companies make huge efficiencies in their processes. We’ve continued to add more identity profiles to our Identity Verification Service, to give candidates more flexibility and less friction over the documents they use. For DBS basic, candidates can complete the process using just their UK driving licence. To meet the required ‘medium’ level of assurance, we run an activity history check without adding any friction to the user experience. For DBS Standard and Enhanced, candidates can complete the process using an ePassport or a non-chipped passport. This new profile opens up the process to a wider range of ID documents and customers across the globe. Candidates can also prove their identity for a DBS check using our reusable Digital ID app. Alternatively, candidates that prefer some human assistance can verify their identity in-person at a Post Office. Digitise the ID process for DBS It’s been a really exciting time for Yoti and Post Office as we see what happens when innovation meets legislation. And we’ve loved hearing the feedback from valued partners like David Hutchinson, CEO at PeopleCheck: “I want to applaud your internal teams with how they have been supporting and working with the PeopleCheck tech team. The result is an exceptional candidate journey and a great product. This is a significant game changer for both on-site and remote hiring – with companies now being able to fully outsource UK Right to Work credibly and compliantly, at scale and at speed.” If you’re looking to digitise the DBS and right to work process, get in touch and we’d be happy to help.
Press releases
Oct 06, 2022
Department of Trust and Yoti introduce one-click affordability and identity verification
London, UK – 6th October 2022, Digital identity company Yoti and Department of Trust, the financial KYC provider, have today announced a new partnership enabling gambling operators to complete affordability, safety and identity checks in one click. Consumers will be able to link a new or existing Yoti verification to a BetBudget personal financial profile at any time. After completing this simple one-time process, future registrations at participating gambling sites can be achieved in one click. Operators who use the combined service will have the benefit not only of frictionless registration with reduced risk of fraud, but also instant access to ongoing real-time financial KYC data for affordability, responsible gambling and AML checks. Robin Tombs, CEO of Yoti said: “We’re excited to partner with the Department of Trust (DoTrust) and combine our solutions to introduce a new standard of compliance and identity verification for the gambling sector. DoTrust shares our philosophy to empower individuals with a safer way to share their personal information; one that protects their privacy and personal data, whilst ensuring companies have the details they need to be compliant.” Charles Cohen, CEO of Department of Trust, said: “Safe, one-click identity and financial KYC is the holy grail for gambling operators and their customers. No more forms, no more documents – and no risk to privacy. Yoti’s document based verification tools are the best on the market, with millions of users already. Combining this with the power of Open Banking to enable non-intrusive and effective affordability checks is a great step forward for the industry.” About Yoti Yoti is a digital identity technology company that allows organisations to verify identities and trusted credentials online and in person. Yoti’s products span identity verification, age verification, document eSigning, access management, and authentication. Over 12 million people have downloaded the free Yoti app globally. Yoti is available in English, Spanish, French, German, Portuguese and Polish. Yoti is certified to ISO/IEC 27001:2013 for ID Verification Services, ISAE 3000 (SOC 2) Type 2 certified for its technical and organisational security processes. For more information please visit www.yoti.com. About Department of Trust Department of Trust (dotrust.co.uk) is a UK-based provider of financial KYC solutions. The company is registered with the UK financial conduct authority as an agent for Open Banking. BetBudget (betbudget.app) is a free personal budgeting app and website which empowers consumers with information to support smart budgeting decisions alongside productivity tools for managing all their gambling accounts. Consumers are able to use BetBudget to share the data necessary for satisfying financial KYC inquiries from gambling sites, including affordability, without having to send bank statements or intrusive checks on their credit file.
Press releases
Sep 22, 2022
Talent Clouds launches digital DBS checks in partnership with Yoti and Post Office
22nd September 2022, LONDON – Talent Clouds, a digital workforce management and employee vetting platform, has become the latest company to launch digital DBS checks with Yoti and the Post Office. Talent Clouds modernises workforce vetting by simplifying the complex and manual onboarding and workforce monitoring processes. These are especially burdensome for public services in regulated sectors such as education, care and health. The Talent Clouds platform enables employers to verify worker credentials safely and efficiently which in turn saves them time and money. Under new legislation, which came into effect from 6 April 2022, Right to Work and DBS checks can now be completed using an Identity Services Provider (IDSP). The guidelines are based on the new UK Digital Identity and Attributes Trust Framework, which aims to facilitate secure and trustworthy solutions around digital identity in the UK. Yoti and Post Office, the UK’s first certified IDSP, offer three inclusive options for a candidate to prove their identity and complete required DBS checks. They can do this online, through the Yoti or EasyID apps, or in person at their local Post Office branch. Enabling Basic, Standard and Enhanced DBS checks to be carried out this way supports remote and hybrid working practices, speeds up onboarding processes, reduces recruitment times, and improves the security and reliability of checks. British and Irish citizens who hold valid passports will be eligible for these digital checks. Unlike the traditional and manual process, digital DBS checks allow candidates to prove their identity from any part of the country – removing geographic barriers to employment. Talent Clouds onboards and monitors employees in a safer way as they can confirm prospective candidates’ identities and eligibility using consistent and secure methods, and relieve pressure on HR teams to correctly check documents and store sensitive employee information. Talent Clouds, CEO, James Whittingham said, “We’re excited to partner with Post Office and Yoti to launch this new technology to transform how our customers verify their workers’ ID. This technology supports our vision for streamlining pre-employment checks to save our customers both money and time”. Elinor Hull, Identity Services Director at Post Office said, “We’re delighted that Talent Clouds is the latest company to harness the power of digital identity for DBS checks. With less paperwork, stronger security and a better onboarding and recruitment experience, the benefits of these digital policies are clear. There’s a growing desire from individuals for better experiences and this technology can fast track processes that historically have taken up significant time and effort. If any companies are on the fence about digital DBS checks, it’s time they embrace a better approach to identity verification, otherwise they risk falling behind and giving an edge to their competitors.” Notes to editors New government guidance on digital identity verification On 17th January 2022, the Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) published updated guidance paving the way for Digital Identity Checks to be used as part of Basic, Standard and Enhanced DBS Checks. The Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS) has also released an update around Digital Identity Checks to verify Right to Work and other certifications. About Yoti and Post Office Yoti is a digital identity company that allows organisations to verify identities and trusted credentials online and in person. Yoti’s products span identity verification, age verification, document eSigning, access management, and authentication. In the UK, Yoti is partnered with Post Office to accelerate digital identity adoption with a national footprint spanning 11,500 Post Office branches, online and more. Over 12 million people have downloaded the free Yoti app globally. Yoti is available in English, Spanish, French, German, Portuguese and Polish. Yoti is certified to ISO/IEC 27001:2013 for ID Verification Services, ISAE 3000 (SOC 2) Type 2 certified for its technical and organisational security processes. About Talent Clouds Talent Clouds provide a digital platform to verify worker credentials safely and efficiently – saving you time and money to spend on frontline services. We move offline clunky processes online, which reduces onboarding times by over 95%, and reduces application entry errors to under 1% – enabling significant internal savings Offer a suite of over 15 checks to suit all needs – including DBS and employment history referencing. We integrate with your existing systems to remove need to duplicate data entry – providing a seamless user experience Our workforce monitoring system notifies you of any pending compliance concerns through our business health check tool We keep your records in one single view, ensuring you are audit ready and regulation compliant
Articles
Sep 07, 2022
Why it's time to embrace digital right to work checks
The last few years gave employers a taste of how onboarding new starters remotely can speed up their hiring. At the start of the pandemic, the Home Office amended the guidance on right to work checks, allowing them to be performed via a video call. The temporary adjustment came after employers couldn’t physically check a candidate’s ID document to prove they could work in the UK. This workaround became incredibly popular, with HR and recruitment teams noticing increased efficiency, people getting into jobs faster and reduced recruitment times. After heavy lobbying from the recruitment industry and employers, the Home Office updated right to work guidance, making digital ID checks a permanent option from the 6th of April 2022. The new scheme falls under the DCMS’s (Department of Culture, Media and Sport) Identity and Attributes Trust Framework. This framework sets the rules and standards for organisations to carry out secure, trustworthy, and consistent digital identity checks. Employers can now use a certified digital identity service provider (IDSP) to digitise their ID checking process for right to work and DBS under this new framework. Despite this, challenges still exist, with some finding it difficult to determine if digital ID verification is truly the most cost-effective option for them. If you are undecided, here are five reasons why it’s time to embrace digital right to work checks in the pre-employment screening process. Avoid penalties and get better compliance A right to work check is necessary for all employees in the UK but many businesses see these checks as a simple box-ticking exercise. Unwittingly employing someone who doesn’t have the legal ability to work can have financial and reputational costs for a business. If a company is found guilty, it can be fined £20,000 for each illegal worker. However, being more diligent with checks has economic and social benefits, helping protect employees’ rights and preventing the exploitation of individuals. It can also help shield your employees, operations and reputation from damages. Protect your business against recruitment fraud For many, “fraud” is not necessarily something they believe can occur in recruitment. It’s typically associated with stolen credit cards or personal information used for forged credit card charges or illicit bank withdrawals. But recruitment fraud is a big problem both in the UK and internationally. A report by Crowe, in association with the University of Portsmouth, discovered that 80 per cent of 5,000 CVs checked included false information. Additionally, fake IDs being used to gain employment is a significant issue. The report uncovered that one organisation was providing over 3,000 counterfeit documents to people in the UK. It’s not just CVs and IDs being faked but certificates of qualifications too. In 2021 alone, Cifas members reported 226,000 instances of Identity Fraud to the National Fraud Database, and 39 per cent of filings made to the Internal Fraud Database were for false employment applications where the applicant had falsified their application which can include false qualifications. Employing a fraudulent candidate is a widespread issue that can affect any legitimate business. A mis-hire can not only be costly but can negatively impact company culture, reputation and customer relationships. Using a digital ID verification process is an easier and safer way to prove a new starter can legally work, and gives your HR and admin teams confidence that a candidate’s documents are genuine. That’s why making more robust checks a priority, with the help of an ID verification expert, can significantly reduce your exposure to data breaches and fight against identity theft. Safeguard employees’ personal information Current onboarding methods (seeing a new starter’s ID and gaining a photocopy) are time-consuming and can create a mountain of paperwork.. The chances of human error are also vastly increased. Checking an ID to determine its authenticity, and whether it’s tampered with or a fake, can be an intense process. Having HR and admin teams do the process manually also doesn’t guarantee accuracy every time – after all, it’s not their job to be fraud experts. Digital ID verification strengthens the process by supporting teams with a higher level of security and is much faster for new starters. They just take a photo of the front and back of their ID and then a selfie to verify their identity in real-time, saving valuable onboarding time. It also stops HR and admin teams from handling and storing sensitive information unsafely. Increase your talent pool HR and admin teams are seeking to embrace more automation in their recruitment and hiring processes, to help them reach more talent where the competition is high and provide a better candidate experience. Digitising right to work checks can help streamline the vetting process while ensuring that accurate hiring decisions are made. It allows you to reach a broader pool of applicants and removes geographic barriers to employment – people can prove their identity from any part of the country. Improve your hiring efficiency Partnering with an expert in digital ID verification can help you reach your growth objectives. A certified digital identity service provider (IDSP) can support HR teams in successfully hiring and onboarding at scale. Yoti and Post Office are the UK’s first certified digital identity service providers (IDSP). With our expertise in digital identity and Post Office’s vast experience helping people prove and manage their identity, we’re no ordinary IDSP. Our Digital ID and Post Office Easy ID app, Identity Verification service, and In-Branch Verification with the Post Office are the most comprehensive services available. Digital ID and Post Office Easy ID app The Yoti and EasyID app empower those who need to change jobs frequently with a reusable digital ID on their phone. They only need to verify their identity once with us. Afterwards, they can easily share their pre-verified identity details with a new employer. Identity verification service Embed our Identity verification service into your website or app to quickly onboard new starters with just an ID document and a selfie. In branch verification service Those who would prefer to receive human assistance can have their documents scanned and verified at a Post Office using our In-Branch verification service. With our three inclusive approaches, employers can help people complete ID verification for right to work and DBS checks in a more accessible, convenient way. We’re ready to change the game. It’s time to embrace a better approach. It’s time to go digital. Get in touch with us.
