If you are buying, selling or remortgaging a property, you may be surprised when your solicitor asks you to complete a biometric identity check. For many clients, the request to upload identification documents and take a selfie can feel unfamiliar or even intrusive.
However, these checks play a vital role in protecting clients, property transactions and the wider financial system from fraud and money laundering.
In this blog, we explain why solicitors carry out biometric Anti-Money Laundering (AML) checks, how they work and why they are now an important part of the conveyancing process.
Why Do Solicitors Need to Verify Identity?
Solicitors are subject to strict legal and regulatory obligations designed to prevent money laundering, terrorist financing and fraud. As part of these obligations, law firms must verify the identity of their clients before carrying out certain types of legal work, including property transactions.
The property market can be an attractive target for criminals seeking to disguise the origins of illicit funds or commit identity fraud. By conducting thorough identity checks, solicitors help ensure that transactions are legitimate and that all parties involved are properly identified.
Failure to carry out appropriate checks can expose both clients and law firms to significant risks, including financial loss and fraud.
What Is a Biometric Identity Check?
A biometric identity check uses technology to confirm that a person is who they claim to be.
Typically, the process involves:
- Uploading a photograph of a valid identification document, such as a passport or driving licence.
- Taking a live selfie or short video using a smartphone or computer.
- Using facial recognition technology to compare the live image against the photograph on the identification document.
The system can also verify whether the document is genuine and whether the person completing the check is physically present rather than using a copied photograph or stolen identity.
The entire process usually takes only a few minutes to complete.
Why Can’t Solicitors Just Check My Passport?
Traditionally, identity verification often involved providing certified copies of documents or attending a solicitor’s office in person.
While these methods are still available in certain circumstances, advances in technology have enabled law firms to carry out more robust and efficient checks remotely.
Unfortunately, identity fraud has become increasingly sophisticated. Criminals can obtain forged documents, steal personal information and attempt to impersonate legitimate property owners or buyers.
Biometric verification provides an additional layer of security by helping to confirm that the person presenting the identification document is its genuine holder.
How Do Biometric Checks Protect Clients?
Although AML checks are a legal requirement, they also offer significant benefits for clients.
Biometric verification helps to:
- Reduce the risk of identity theft.
- Protect against property fraud.
- Detect forged or altered identification documents.
- Speed up the onboarding process.
- Enable secure remote transactions.
- Reduce the need for face-to-face appointments.
By verifying identities at the outset of a transaction, solicitors can help identify potential issues before they become costly problems.
Is My Personal Data Safe?
Many clients understandably have concerns about sharing personal information online.
Law firms and their verification providers are required to handle personal data securely and in accordance with data protection legislation. Information collected during the verification process is used solely for identity and compliance purposes and is subject to strict security measures.
If you have any concerns about how your data is processed, your solicitor will be able to explain the firm’s privacy procedures and data protection policies.
What If I Cannot Complete a Biometric Check?
Not every client is comfortable using digital technology, and some individuals may not have access to a suitable smartphone or device.
In such circumstances, alternative methods of identity verification may be available. If you are unable to complete a biometric check, you should discuss this with your solicitor as early as possible so that appropriate arrangements can be considered.
The Importance of Getting It Right
While identity verification may seem like an additional administrative step, it is an essential safeguard in today’s property market.
Biometric AML checks help protect buyers, sellers and legal professionals from fraud while ensuring that solicitors meet their legal and regulatory obligations.
By embracing secure technology, law firms can provide a safer, more efficient and more convenient service for clients, helping property transactions progress with confidence.
If you have any questions about the identity verification process, our conveyancing team will be happy to assist and explain what information is required and why.
