Here's Why Identity Verification Is Essential For Cross-Border Payments

Written by in Business on April 23, 2023

Providing secure and reliable cross-border payments is our priority. One of the essential components of safe international transactions is identity verification. This article will discuss why identity verification is necessary for cross-border payments.

Preventing Fraudulent Activities

Identity verification is crucial for preventing fraudulent activities such as money laundering, terrorist financing, and other financial crimes. Financial institutions are obligated to verify the identity of their clients and the source of their funds. This verification process ensures that the transactions are legitimate and that the funds being transferred are not related to criminal activity.

Complying with Regulations

In Canada, the Proceeds of Crime (Money Laundering) and Terrorist Financing Act (PCMLTFA) requires financial institutions to conduct due diligence on their clients, monitor their transactions, and report suspicious activities. The act also mandates the verification of the identity of clients, which is essential for cross-border payments. Similarly, in the United States, the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) and the USA PATRIOT Act require financial institutions to establish a customer identification program (CIP) to verify the identity of their clients. Each jurisdiction comes with different regulations, but you can safely assume identity verification will be part of the process if you're looking to send or receive money from across borders. 

Ensuring the Accuracy of Information

Identity verification is critical for ensuring the accuracy of information provided by clients. It is not uncommon for clients to make mistakes when entering their personal information, such as their name, address, or identification number. These errors can result in delays or even the rejection of cross-border payments. Identity verification ensures that the information provided by clients is accurate and up-to-date, making the transaction process smoother. 

Building Trust and Confidence

Identity verification builds trust and confidence in cross-border transactions. When clients know that their financial institution or payment platform is taking measures to prevent fraudulent activities and ensure the accuracy of their information, they are more likely to trust the institution with their transactions. Trust and confidence are critical for long-term relationships with clients and for the growth of the forex industry.

We take identity verification seriously and have established robust procedures to ensure the safety and security of our client's transactions. We encourage all forex-related businesses to prioritize identity verification to protect their clients and build trust within their community.

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© SHIFT Connect 2019 | Payment services for Shift Connect Ltd. is provided by The Currency Cloud Limited. Registered in England No. 06323311. Registered Office: Stewardship Building 1st Floor, 12 Steward Street London E1 6FQ. The Currency Cloud Limited is authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority under the Electronic Money Regulations 2011 for the issuing of electronic money (FRN: 900199)