We have three types of checks available in AML for GoProposal, catering to different client needs and risk based approaches. In this article, we will focus on Biometric Checks. However, you can learn about AML for GoProposal and how the other ID checks work by visiting our comprehensive guide.
What is a Biometric Check?
Biometric checks automatically collect, verify, and securely store your clients' identity documents in their Client Record.
In addition to conducting standard checks for Politically Exposed Persons (PEP), Sanctions, Adverse Media, and Address, these checks provide complete confidence in your clients' true identity, which is a requirement under Money Laundering regulations.
Biometric Checks within AML for GoProposal stand out because they encompass all of the following elements in a single check (meaning absolutely no manual intervention is required from you):
Document Verification: Ensuring the document is real and has not been forged.
Facial Similarity: Verifying that the person on the document matches the individual you are dealing with.
Other Verification: Confirming your clients' address, and scanning for PEPs, Sanctions, Adverse Media, as well as validating their date of birth.
The safest way to utilise facial similarity technologies is via a mobile app, so to make use of these advanced technologies in the safest and most efficient way, we have partnered with Thirdfort.
When should I use it?
If you won't have an opportunity to meet your new clients face to face, we recommend using the biometric check if you want complete certainty in their identity.
Biometric checks are commonly used by banks and have been adopted recently by areas of the Government, because they represent the most accurate, reliable and scaleable methods of verifying client identity in an increasingly digital world.
What does this process look like for my client?
When you initiate a Biometric check in GoProposal, your client will receive a text message asking them to download the Thirdfort mobile app on your firms behalf.
Once they have downloaded the app and signed up, they will be presented with clear tasks within the Thirdfort mobile app, which include:
Address Verification
Your client will provide their name, address, and date of birth. Thirdfort will then perform the following checks, the results of which will be displayed in your GoProposal report:
Electronic address matching using various sources, such as the electoral roll, credit data, and utility accounts from Experian.
Scan for additional risk warnings, such as mortality, fraud alerts, and postal redirects (available for UK clients only).
Screening for PEPs and sanctions (globally) and conducting adverse media searches on flagged individuals.
Address Check Failure: In the event that the address check fails, there's no need to worry. We have a solution in place to address this situation seamlessly. Your client will receive a real time notification informing them about the unsuccessful address check. It's important to ensure that they have enabled notifications for Thirdfort to stay informed throughout the process.
Upload Proof of Address: Instead of the automated address verification, your client will be requested to upload a valid proof of address document. They can easily provide this document through the designated upload feature. Examples of acceptable proof of address documents include utility bills, bank statements, or official government letters.
The uploaded proof of address document will be securely stored and added to the comprehensive report for your review in GoProposal.
Identity Validation
This task verifies your client's identity. By default, the system will check if your client has an NFC verified passport. If not, they will be redirected to an alternative identification flow which does not require an NFC chip and where alternate forms of ID can be used.
If your client has access to a passport:
Passport Image Scan: The user captures an image of their passport's photo and signature pages. Then, they are asked to perform an NFC scan. If they do not have an NFC-enabled passport, they will proceed to the Original ID Check flow.
Passport NFC Scan: The system uses the captured image to automatically detect if the user has an NFC enabled passport. If not, they will be directed to the Original ID Check flow (Face Scan stage). If they do, the NFC chip will be scanned.
Face Scan: Your client is asked to scan their face using the system. This allows Thirdfort to match their facial features in real time with the photo on their identification document. By doing so, you ensure that the person presenting the document is indeed the individual they claim to be, giving you utmost confidence in their identity.
If your client does not have access to a passport:
In situations where your client does not possess a passport, we have an alternative process in place to ensure a seamless journey for them:
Select Alternate form of ID:
When prompted to complete the Identity Verification, the user will choose the option "I don't have a passport." They will then be guided to proceed with the ID check using an alternative form of identification or the option to complete it at a later time.
Upon selecting an alternate form of ID, they will be presented with clear on screen instructions for the subsequent steps.
This alternative process accommodates clients who do not have a passport, allowing them to proceed smoothly with the identification verification in the above steps.
How do I initiate a Biometric check in GoProposal?
Initiating a biometric check in GoProposal is a straightforward process. Here's a step by step guide to get started:
Open the Client Record: Access the client record of the individual for whom you need to complete the ID check. In your Client Hub, you will find these records flagged as "Action Required" when a proposal for that individual has been accepted, a review is due, or you can assign these statuses to Contacts individually.
Navigate to the AML Tab: Within the client record, go to the AML tab to access the Anti Money Laundering features in the Client Record. Choose the option to initiate a new check and opt for the Biometric check.
Enter Contact Details: Provide the client's phone number and country of residence in the designated fields.
International Clients: Include an international address verification if you are dealing with an overseas client, this way the check will confirm both the overseas clients identity and their address.
Send to Client: Click on the "Send to Client" button to initiate the biometric check process.
Your client will then follow the journey described earlier in the article to complete the required steps.
What if my client doesn't complete the check?
In the event that your client does not complete the biometric check, Thirdfort, our partner, will automatically send them an SMS notification. They will receive a reminder everyday for 14 days.
What happens when the check has been completed?
Once the biometric check has been successfully completed, the client's status on the Contact Dashboard will change from "In Progress" to "Review Results." Additionally, you will receive an email receipt confirming the completion of the check for that individual.
To review the report results, download the report from the client record. Take the time to carefully review the details before approving or declining the check. The report will be labeled with an outcome as either "auto approved" or "consider." Even in the case of auto approval, we ask that you review and approve the information provided.
Interpreting your Biometric Check Report
Your biometric check will return the following information as either passed or consider:
Document report
If your client has completed a Thirdfort ID check using the NFC Chip:
If your client has completed a Thirdfort ID check with no NFC chip/alternate form of ID:
Facial Similarity Report
Database Address Match
PEPs and Sanctions
Handling Items Returned as Consider:
In some cases, one or more items on the biometric check report may be flagged as "consider." It's important to note that this doesn't necessarily mean you cannot proceed with taking on the client. It simply indicates that you may need to review the details of the report to determine if there is a genuine risk of money laundering or if there are alternative ways to address the concerns.
How you handle these flagged items will depend on the specific nature of what is being flagged. It's essential to consider the results holistically and evaluate the overall context of the report. Here are some examples of how you may approach failed items:
Address Match Failure: If address document. In real time, we prompt your client to provide this document if the address match fails. Review the provided proof of address document, and if you are satisfied with its validity, you can proceed to approve the report. If not, you can speak with your client to dig deeper, for example have they recently moved?
PEP flag: If there is a match with a PEP, read through the information provided to ascertain if it's a legitimate concern or a false positive. Cross reference the client's report with the name and location on their identity document to gather additional insights. If the individual is indeed a PEP, you may choose to implement additional measures to mitigate the associated risks on an ongoing basis
Facial Comparison Failure: Check the report yourself to see if this is a clear failure. Contact your client if you believe this to case and check they followed the steps correctly. You might ask to meet them to prove their identity via other means. If it is indeed a clear failure in identity verification, it would be advisable not to proceed with working with this client.
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