Identity verification is a key component for organizations operating in highly regulated environments, such as the financial, insurance, or telecommunications sectors. It’s not just about verifying that the person making a transaction is who they claim to be, but also about ensuring a secure, seamless experience that aligns with today’s digital expectations.
In practice, many companies still rely on legacy processes that were effective five or ten years ago but now pose risks and hinder growth. Below, we explore five clear signs that your identity verification process needs an upgrade, along with actionable recommendations and real-world use cases.
1. Your processes rely on manual submission of documents
If your customers still have to scan or photograph their ID and send it via email or upload it manually, you’re facing several issues at once:
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Security risk: Email is not an encrypted channel, and storing documents in non-specialized systems exposes the information to potential leaks.
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Poor user experience: The process feels slow, unintuitive, and breeds mistrust.
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Operational burden: Manual review is required, delaying onboarding or approval cycles.
Recommendation:
Implement automated document and biometric validation flows that securely capture, validate, and store information. For example, use identity platforms that allow users to snap a photo of their ID and take a selfie from their phone, with real-time validation.
→ See: Biometric identity verification
2. The average validation time exceeds 10 minutes
In a digital world where users expect immediacy, a verification process taking more than 10 minutes is a competitive disadvantage. Common causes include:
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Manual document review.
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Fragmented systems that don’t communicate with each other.
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Lack of integration with blacklists, official sources, or other databases.
Warning sign:
High abandonment rates during registration or onboarding. The longer the process takes, the more likely users are to give up or lose trust.
Recommendation:
Integrate real-time validation solutions such as facial recognition with liveness detection, OCR for automatic document reading, and real-time API lookups.
3. Sophisticated frauds like deepfakes or synthetic identities go undetected
Fraud has evolved. It’s no longer enough to spot a tampered photocopy. Today’s threats include:
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Deepfakes: AI-generated videos that mimic real human faces.
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Synthetic identities: Mixes of real and fake data that bypass basic controls.
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Digital impersonation attacks: Use of stolen or purchased documents from the dark web.
Recommendation:
Adopt solutions that combine advanced biometric validation with anomaly detection and multi-factor verification across digital channels. Onboarding systems must include AI-powered fraud prevention and automatic checks against AML lists and watchlists.
4. You’re not compliant with your country’s current regulations
The regulatory environment is constantly evolving. If your process is not aligned with local and international requirements, you risk:
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Violating data protection laws like GDPR or local habeas data regulations.
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Facing penalties for inadequate customer identification.
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Failing regulatory audits.
Recommendation:
Use solutions built to adapt to local regulatory frameworks. It’s crucial that your platform is continuously updated and that the provider offers legal and technical support in your region.
5. Users abandon the process before completing it
One of the clearest signs of an outdated process is abandonment. This is often caused by:
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Unfriendly interface.
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Too many steps or excessive requirements.
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Poor mobile compatibility.
Recommendation:
Design a user-centric experience that adapts to the context (e.g., verification via WhatsApp, integration into existing apps, or simplified forms). Prioritize mobile-first flows and silent validations (background checks) where possible.
What’s next?
Upgrading your identity verification process is not just a technical necessity—it’s a key strategy to enhance customer experience, reduce operational risks, and stay compliant.
At DANAconnect, we offer a comprehensive identity verification solution that includes:
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Facial and video biometric verification
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Document validation with OCR and fraud detection
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Real-time checks against AML lists and external validators
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Native integration with automated workflows and channels like WhatsApp, email, SMS, or your own apps
All within a SaaS model, with rapid deployment and regional support.
Conclusion
Ignoring the signs of an outdated process can cost you more than just a poor experience—it can cost you customers, reputation, and regulatory compliance. The good news is that today there are accessible, secure, and scalable solutions that turn identity verification into a competitive advantage.
Upgrade your process today.
Customer trust starts by recognizing them safely and efficiently from the very first interaction.
Want to improve your identity verification flow in a sprint?
Request a personalized demo with one of our experts and discover what’s possible with DANAconnect’s technology.
