When it comes to identifying online users there are multiple ways, passwords being the most popular one. It does not actually verify a user’s identity, but it tells that it verifies the user’s credentials. Passwords are used for online account security, users set them during sign-up. Whenever a user tries to log in using a password, it compares the new with the stored one. Passwords solve the problem of account takeovers, but what in the case of fake identities. There is a need for a solution that can check the user’s data and verify that it belongs to this person.
Document Verification Against Fake Identities
For identity verification, documents are the most reliable way. It’s like passport scanning during airport onboarding. Airport clearance staff checks the passport of every traveler for identity verification. He looks at the photo id on the passport and the traveler’s face and analyzes the resemblance.
This is an on-site method and performed manually. The same method can be used for online business account verification. Online platforms are suffering from fake and fraudulent identities especially social media. It is expected that there are thousands of false identities over the internet. This huge number of synthetic identities can be eliminated through online document verification services. This is a three-step process done by AI-powered software.
Here is the process of it:
Capture
For identity verification, the image of an ID is required. This must be a document issued by the government like an ID card or Driving permit.
Extract
The needed data is extracted from the document. The information that can prove a person’s identity is required for identity verification. The software uses a cutting-edge character recognition technology commonly known as OCR. It is used for automatic form population and paper digitization. It can be used on all types of documents ranging from computer printed to handwritten.
OCR is trained to capture pre-defined information from a paper image. In this case, it will pluck the full name, citizenship number, nationality, date of birth and address data. For additional security checks, the nationality, issuance and expiry data is also derived.
Verification
This is the most vital and sensitive step because the whole process depends on it. First, the document’s authenticity is confirmed. The software rejects fake, tempered or photocopied documents. The software examines the MRZ code, stamps and rainbow marks of the document. If the document has crumpled edges or folded corners, it can be declined. These are the marks of document forgery.
Criminals make fake documents at home, they use extended photoshop software for it. By doing so they create an exact copy of the original which is very difficult to differentiate by the human eye. The software is trained enough by AI algorithms so that it can spot even a minor fabrication attempt.
Services Provided by Document Verification
Age Verification
Several businesses need to verify their customer’s ages. Online pharmacies, e-commerce companies, and alcohol stores require their customers to be above a specific age. Age verification assists in the delivery of age-restricted products to the right consumers only. The document verification service gives the age of the person through his date of birth.
Nationality Check
The citizenship of the customer is essential to know for some business. Some are restricted to give services to a specific region only. The document verification software gives the nationality of the person by checking its status from the ID card.
Expiry Date
Online cab booking services need to have the updated driving license of the driver. Driving a vehicle through an expired driving license is a crime in some states. The cab service can lose reputation by not doing so. The document authentication software will alarm the business if the document expires.
Summing It Up
Documents are the best way for verifying a person’s identity. The authentication software can help in this case at an enterprise level. The software can check all identity documents issued by all states of the world. The process is online and has minimal chances or errors, unlike the manual method.
