On the 12th March HM Land Registry issued practice guidance for conveyancers about implementing digital identity verification solutions.
Conveyancers that embrace biometric and cryptographic technology to verify client identity will reach ‘Safe Harbour’; meaning HMLR will not seek recourse against those who meet this standard, in the event their client is fraudulent.
Watch our webinar on how you can embrace technology within your firm to meet this standard here.
These standards will benefit conveyancers and clients by encouraging digitalisation of the conveyancing process. Firms can embrace this standard by implementing Thirdfort’s Digital ID and Source of Fund checks through Lawyer Checker into their ID verification process.
- Verifying client identity with Thirdfort
Conveyancers must demonstrate they have verified their client is who they say they are. Such evidence must include security features such as Near Field Communication (NFC) and an electronically held photo of the client which biometric facial recognition checks can be made upon, such as a biometric UK passport.
Thirdfort’s new Standard ID check, available through Lawyer Checker meets these HMLR standards. To ensure the client’s passport meets requirements, the information contained in the MRZ code is checked to ensure the passport is biometric.
Conveyancers must also verify that client ID is not forged. The digital identity checker element of Thirdfort reads the ID’s chip and provides cryptographic ‘keys’. Scanning this chip will check the client’s digital signature against that of the organisation that issued the ID (e.g. the Government). This check also ensures the ‘key’ has not been tampered with and belongs to the authorising organisation.
- Ensuring evidence is genuine with Thirdfort
It is the responsibility of the conveyancer to ensure the client matches the photo on their ID. To digitally meet this standard a ‘liveness test’ is required. The identity check provider must ensure the image is obtained under quality-controlled conditions. Thirdfort uses a biometric algorithm that is proven to be effective against a recognised benchmark such as National Institute of Standards and Technology’s (NIST’s) face recognition vendor test guidance. The ID provider must also meet a maximum non false match rate of 1%.
Thirdfort have partnered with iProov, a digital ID provider who have worked with the NHS and UK Home Office to use their Genuine Presence Assurance feature. This technology will be embedded in the Digital Identity Check – iProov are fully accredited by NIST and meet the required false and non-false match rates.
- How evidence is captured with Thirdfort
The conveyancer needs to obtain evidence to ensure the transferor, borrower or lessor is the same person as the owner, in essence connecting the client to the property. This must be done via two forms of evidence such as a UK or EEA driving licence or local authority council tax bill. These can be postal or online statements although screenshots will not meet the Digital ID Standard.
Using Thirdfort, the client can upload their documents via the app. Available from early May, Thirdfort’s compliance level of ID check will incorporate Government-grade security to meet and exceed the HMLR standard.
By embracing Thirdfort available through Lawyer Checker into your client ID check process, conveyancers will effectively comply with HMLR Digital ID Standards from mid-May. Providing you with peace of mind, evidence of best practice and demonstrable due diligence.
To find out more about implementing Thirdfort in your firm and reaching HMLR ‘Safe Harbour’ please email hello@lawyerchecker.co.uk or call 0800 1337127.
