Identity verification
Articles
Mar 18, 2025
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.
Articles
Feb 27, 2025
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
Articles
Aug 29, 2024
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
Articles
Feb 13, 2024
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
Articles
Jan 18, 2024
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
Articles
Oct 27, 2023
Report: The importance of accessible and inclusive identity verification
A recent YouGov survey of 2,000 GB adults found that 69% have proved their identity online using a physical document. Of those, 71% found the process easy to use. Whilst almost half (47%) said they would prefer to prove their identity online, 26% said they would prefer to do this at a Post Office. One in five (20%) expressed no preference. With more services moving online, identity verification needs to be as accessible and inclusive as possible. Through our partnership with Post Office, we are making strides to ensure our solutions cater to as many people as possible. We offer