Photo id for ISA mandatory?

caper7

tetrarch said:

In your bank's defence, KYC is a layered protocol and that Photo ID is the most stringent requirement they can insist upon

Legally they must demonstrate a risk-proportionate action

It may be that in your case that your name is also a name on a watchlist (internal to NatWest or external) that would require enhanced identification. There may be no specific requirement for photo ID, but demonstrating an enhanced process for a (perceived) higher risk would be an appropriate escalation to demonstrate compliance with the KYC process

Regards

Tet 

I suppose anything's possible, but I'd be surprised if I required an enhanced id check.
When I didn't get the Nat West ISA I went to Vida Savings and opened one online instantly with no photo id required or selfie or suchlike.
I actually tried my expired passport with NatWest thinking if it's good enough to vote with... 
When that was rejected I phoned them telling them I was applying for their fixed rate ISA but had no photo id, was there any way round that and was instructed to go into a branch with my birth certificate and a utility bill.
I did that and then was rejected for the account for not having provided id.
I phoned to question whether they were unaware of the documents submitted in branch and never got a clear answer but was told photo id was mandatory.
My complaint started as a query as to wether they were aware of the id submitted in branch and the contradictory messaging about whether only photo id would be accepted. Every response since acknowledges I was applying for an ISA, had no photo id but was given the correct instruction to go into branch with birth certificate and utility bill but that I can't have the ISA without photo id.
Contradictory nonsense.
Their most recent letter made the statement that it was a UK regulation and that is what I came here to check. I believe that's a lie. 

Kim_13

masonic said:

ColdIron said:

masonic said:

ColdIron said:

happybagger said:

MattMattMattUK said:

Or solve it properly with an ID card, such as the one being introduced in a year or two...

Even if this ever gets off the ground, it won't be mandatory so it won't solve it any more than the current passport does.

I'm mildly positive about it but a glaring problem with using it as a replacement for this purpose seems to be that in order to register with it you need the very forms of ID that you haven't got. It's all a bit Catch 22

I'd be very surprised if there is not an equivalent enrolment process as is used for a first passport or driving licence. Those who do not have either document already will not have been unable to get one, it's that they'll have no need for them and don't want to pay a not insubstantial sum for something they don't need.

Yes, especially if they want rapid take up. However it seems hardly less onerous

https://www.gov.uk/apply-first-adult-passport/what-documents-you-need-to-apply

It's a wider problem, I'm just thinking it's not much of a solution to the 'I need a passport or driving licence to open a bank account' issue in this thread

I guess that stuff about parental birth certificates and proof of immigration status is new.

.

I think so.

The requirement for a marriage certificate for your parents if born on or after 1 January 1983 and sending documents relating to your father is bonkers. If you were born in 1983 or later your parents are less likely to have been married anyway. They will have a full birth or adoption certificate for the applicant so a document related to anyone listed as a parent should suffice. It isn’t the fault of the applicant if their parents chose not to get married.

If a national ID scheme applies common sense then it would be a good thing. 

fuzzzzy

x44 said:

MichaelAP said:

I am told to go purchase a Passport just to identify myself……. Why should I? Why on earth should I purchase a Passport when I have no desire for travel simply to appease those with such shortsighted methods.

I have a Blue Badge card that has my photo but no…. It is not allowed.

I recently help someone apply online for a Blue Badge (this was one of the councils that have their own system) and the requirements for photo ID were quite clear. I ended up scanning their driving licence and uploading it to meet the council's requirements - and take a new photo of them for the actual image to appear on the Blue Badge. I suppose it figures - you want a blue badge so you can park nearby so you obviously must have a driving licence!

Just for comparison the UK passports last 10 years and costs £94. Estonia has the most integrated and compulsory ID system in existance and their ID costs £35 for residents and lasts for 5 years so £70 equivalent every 10 years - which is not far off our passport cost - except for Estonain citizens paying for their ID is mandatory: don't like it - tough sh*t: pay up!

You don't need to be able to drive to get a blue badge.

Ocelot

badger09 said:

caper7 said:

I don't mind at all Nat West implementing whatever level of id verification they want, I just want to check if it's true that it's a mandatory UK regulation, given other banks have not requested photo id for an ISA.

Photo ID is not ‘a mandatory UK regulation’ for opening an ISA.  

Indeed. I've opened hundreds of accounts over the years, including dozens of ISAs, and have never once been asked for a photo ID.

dunstonh

WillowLeaf said:

Seems a bit strange to want photo ID rather than just ID, when they will never see your face, especially at the rate they close branches.

The reference numbers on passports and DLs can be validated against a database.  So, even where a face is not seen, the data can be validated.    For those not using that system (often the newer deposit takers or investment companies) they will use a selfie and ID cross match.  

fuzzzzy

Ocelot said:

badger09 said:

caper7 said:

I don't mind at all Nat West implementing whatever level of id verification they want, I just want to check if it's true that it's a mandatory UK regulation, given other banks have not requested photo id for an ISA.

Photo ID is not ‘a mandatory UK regulation’ for opening an ISA.  

Indeed. I've opened hundreds of accounts over the years, including dozens of ISAs, and have never once been asked for a photo ID.

It is only the last year or so that I have been asked for photo ID. Those providers were Ulster Bank, Progressive BS and the Hanley Economic BS. Like you I have opened a lot of accounts over the years. I guess having been at the same address for a number of years has helped.

Ocelot

fuzzzzy said:

Ocelot said:

badger09 said:

caper7 said:

I don't mind at all Nat West implementing whatever level of id verification they want, I just want to check if it's true that it's a mandatory UK regulation, given other banks have not requested photo id for an ISA.

Photo ID is not ‘a mandatory UK regulation’ for opening an ISA.  

Indeed. I've opened hundreds of accounts over the years, including dozens of ISAs, and have never once been asked for a photo ID.

It is only the last year or so that I have been asked for photo ID. Those providers were Ulster Bank, Progressive BS and the Hanley Economic BS. Like you I have opened a lot of accounts over the years. I guess having been at the same address for a number of years has helped.

I haven't attempted opening accounts with any of them. I also have lived at the same address for 28 years, so that may help. My driving licence is one of those old paper ones.

fuzzzzy

Ocelot said:

fuzzzzy said:

Ocelot said:

badger09 said:

caper7 said:

I don't mind at all Nat West implementing whatever level of id verification they want, I just want to check if it's true that it's a mandatory UK regulation, given other banks have not requested photo id for an ISA.

Photo ID is not ‘a mandatory UK regulation’ for opening an ISA.  

Indeed. I've opened hundreds of accounts over the years, including dozens of ISAs, and have never once been asked for a photo ID.

It is only the last year or so that I have been asked for photo ID. Those providers were Ulster Bank, Progressive BS and the Hanley Economic BS. Like you I have opened a lot of accounts over the years. I guess having been at the same address for a number of years has helped.

I haven't attempted opening accounts with any of them. I also have lived at the same address for 28 years, so that may help. My driving licence is one of those old paper ones.

Mine too. I presented it at the Leeds Building Society just before Christmas because I wanted to withdraw cash from a long forgotten passbook account. They would not accept it (had never seen one before) but did accept a bank card as proof of ID. My passport has expired and I am yet to renew it. They were very polite and did say they only needed ID because I was not a familiar customer - I guess they have lots of regulars. I was a regular myself many years ago, in the times they had better rates.

masonic

dunstonh said:

WillowLeaf said:

Seems a bit strange to want photo ID rather than just ID, when they will never see your face, especially at the rate they close branches.

The reference numbers on passports and DLs can be validated against a database.  So, even where a face is not seen, the data can be validated.    For those not using that system (often the newer deposit takers or investment companies) they will use a selfie and ID cross match.  

There are two things that need to be established for identity verification using a physical document: 1) the photo in the document has not been tampered with (solved by the digital copy), and 2) the individual applying for the account is not committing identity fraud (solved by either seeing their face or having a trustworthy individual certify the document is a true likeness of the applicant). Some financial firms forego (2) and use other measures such as carrying out part of the onboarding process via post to the confirmed address of the applicant. Where the process is fully online, then a selfie is a pretty important security measure.

mills112

NorfolkCanary said:

Recently opened an ISA with T212 and account with Ulster, and they required a live photo (as well as imagery of DL or passport) was rather surprised as this hasn't been requested before, but hey-ho

yeah, i opened an investec 12 months bond recently and not only do they want a photo ID, they also wanted a video selfie as proof of life    some of the banks are doing this now as well as other organisations, which means you need a smart phone to be able to open an account.  and that was also money going in and out of the "nominated" account only, so they were not relying on the nominated account having already done the ID check for you like most other banks for savings.