The Hassles of Identity Verification

Image created by Bing

Before I start, I would like to say that there is a need for identity verification to prevent money laundering and fraud and to protect the young. But, recently, I have been getting the feeling that identity verification is becoming more intense and requiring more photo ID.

I'll be sharing some of my insights on:

• Elections
• Financial Accounts
• Travel
• Buying and Selling Property
• Alcohol
• Visitor attractions

Elections

In 2022, legislation was introduced requiring voters in Great Britain* to show photo ID before voting at polling stations. This identity requirement was aimed at "reducing electoral fraud" despite there being little evidence supporting this claim.

The real irony is that in our recent local elections, Boris Johnson, who was the Prime Minister when this law was introduced, was turned away from a polling station because he had forgotten to bring his photo ID.

Refusals are not recorded when photo IDs are checked outside the polling station, so any statistics about the number of people who weren't allowed to vote aren't accurate.

Previously, people who were eligible to vote received a polling card at their home address. Taking this card with them to the polling station allowed them to vote.

Anyway, I have been able to vote without producing a photo ID. In fact, I don't even have to go to a polling station! I achieved this by applying for a postal vote.

Financial accounts

Bank Accounts

It's understandable that banks need to have identity verification to prevent money laundering.

Some banks have started introducing their own face-recognition systems to authorise payments - even if your phone has biometric security.

At least one bank is now asking for you to record and send a video of yourself speaking certain phrases. This can be a real pain if you are in a low-signal area.

Crypto Accounts

YouHodler recently refused my verification. First, it couldn't read my driver's licence (I never had problems with it being read before).

Then I tried my passport. My identity verification was refused because I was "underage"!!!

YouHodler said my identity verification was refused for "internal compliance" reasons when I questioned this.

Other crypto exchanges and wallet sites have accepted me.

Travel

Travel ID has become more of a hassle, whether boarding a ship or plane or entering and exiting a country.

Boarding a Ship

I had a ridiculous example of an identification hassle while boarding a ship in the UK. I had to show my boarding pass four times between the quayside and the ship! I had to show it to:

1. Security on the quay,
2. A crew member at the bottom of the gangway,
3. A crew member at the top of the gangway and
4. A crew member inside the ship.

New EU Regulations

After many delays, the EU Entry/Exit System (EES) is now scheduled to be implemented in late 2024.

It will be an automated system for registering travellers from non-EU countries every time they cross a border into or out of the EU. Before crossing the border, travellers will need to scan their passports or other travel documents at an automated self-service kiosk.

The system will register the person’s name, type of travel document, biometric data (fingerprints and facial images), and the date and place of entry and exit.

When this system is introduced, the UK government will advise travellers to postpone travelling to or from the EU.

Buying and Selling Property

It's understandable that proof of identity is required when buying a property to prevent money laundering. It used to be that only your solicitor (real estate lawyer) needed proof of identity, but now estate agents (realtors) require it as well.

Alcohol

An eighteen-year-old walked into a store to buy a bottle of alcohol-free beer. Unfortunately, this "teenager" looked young for their age, so they had to provide "proof of identity".

Visitor Attractions

A couple of years ago, I bought a membership to one of my favourite visitor attractions. To gain entry, I only had to scan my membership card.

Recently, the attraction insisted on photographing members to prevent card theft. Now, every time you visit, your face is compared to the record on a phone app.

*Great Britain includes England, Wales and Scotland, but not Northern Ireland. Hence, the term "The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland".