Can You Verify Identity Over Zoom, Teams, etc.?
Tana Christianson, Director, Professional Liability Claims Fund
Anti-Money Laundering Rules and Client Verification
If you are wondering if you can verify the identity of a client remotely over Zoom, Teams or similar video conferencing platforms, the answer is NO. Although remote verification was briefly allowed during the height of COVID 19, verifying the identity of a client by looking at the client’s government issued photo ID on your screen does not meet the Anti-Money Laundering requirements.
However, you can use reliable authentication technology to verify your client’s government photo ID. Specialized software matches the ID to the image or video of your client. The Digital ID and Authentication Counsel of Canada (DIACC) has a registry of certified vendors of authentication technology. Several of these vendors have partnered with familiar Title Insurers. While the Law Society does not endorse or certify vendors of any software, including authentication technology services, DIACC’s Certified Service Providers Registry is a good place to start your search for suitable authentication technology.
Other Verification of ID options
If you aren’t meeting the client in person and don’t want to use technology to verify identity, there are other options:
- Previous verification by you or someone in your office.
- Verification by agent (sample form)
- Credit check method.
- Two trusted pieces of information from a reliable source. (Rule 5-121(1)(c))
For a quick refresher on the current Anti-Money Laundering Rules, check out the Anti-Money Laundering Resource Library, including three free short courses on Verification issues (eligible for CPD credit), as well as Worksheets and Checklists, and other handy resources.
And don’t forget your obligation to collect and document information about the source of the funds.
