Client verification Current

Verifying a client's identity remotely

A practical approach to verifying identity when there's no in-person meeting.

Not meeting a client in person doesn't change what needs to be verified, only how it's done. This guide sets out a practical approach to remote identity verification. It is general information, not legal or compliance advice.

Action plan

1 Choose an appropriate remote verification method AUSTRAC's own guidance describes video calls and biometric verification as valid ways to complete this step online.

AUSTRAC's guidance on verifying that a customer is who they claim to be describes completing this step online, for example by participating in a video call and comparing the name and features of the live video image to the identification document, or by using biometric technology to compare the customer's identification against their appearance through an ID verification provider.

  • Use a video call to compare the client's live image against their identification document, or
  • Use biometric identity-verification technology through an appropriate ID verification provider
  • Choose the method your firm's own AML/CTF program permits for this kind of client and risk

Done when: An appropriate remote verification method has been used to confirm the client is who they claim to be

AUSTRAC: initial CDD for individuals
2 Verify against the same independent and reliable data Remote verification uses the same underlying evidence standard as in-person verification.

Verifying remotely doesn't lower what counts as acceptable evidence. The identity document or data used still needs to meet the same independent and reliable standard your firm applies in person.

  • Use the same independent and reliable data your firm would accept in person
  • Where the document has expired or is unclear, collect additional information as you would in person
  • Don't accept lower-quality evidence purely because the client is remote

Done when: Remote verification met the same evidence standard the firm applies to in-person verification

See verifying a client's identity documents against a reliable source
3 Record how the remote verification was performed Keep a record of the method used, since there's no in-person meeting to fall back on as evidence.

Because there's no in-person meeting, the record of how remote verification was performed is the evidence that it happened. Record which method was used, when, and the outcome.

  • Record the remote verification method used (video call, biometric provider, or other)
  • Record the date and outcome of the verification
  • Keep this record with your firm's other customer due diligence evidence

Done when: A record exists of the remote verification method used and its outcome

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