Identity verification is an important part of our digital lives. From signing up for online services to making financial transactions, we often need to prove that we are who we say we are. However, identity verification systems are imperfect and sometimes our identity cannot be verified even when we provide accurate information. There are several potential reasons why identity verification can fail.
Your personal information is incorrect or outdated
One of the most common reasons identity verification fails is because the personal information you provided does not match what the verification system expects. For example:
- Your legal name may have changed but you still use your maiden name on some accounts.
- You recently moved and your ID shows your old address.
- You made a typo when entering your Social Security number or date of birth.
Even small discrepancies between the information you provide and the verification system’s records can lead to a failed verification. Keeping your personal information up-to-date across all your accounts and IDs can help avoid failures due to incorrect data.
The verification system has incorrect or outdated data
Identity verification does not rely solely on the information you provide. The system that is trying to verify you also pulls data from various sources to cross-check that what you entered matches. Sometimes the external data that the verification system has access to may be incorrect or outdated, leading to a failed verification.
Some examples of how bad external data can cause problems include:
- Errors in credit reports from bureaus like Experian, Equifax, etc.
- Mistakes in public records such as marital status or address history.
- Not having a credit history at all if you are young or new to the country.
Fixing external data errors can be difficult and time-consuming. You may need to go through a long dispute process to correct the bad data that is causing verification failures.
You have limited credit or financial history
Many identity verification systems rely heavily on information like credit reports, loan repayment history, income records, etc. If you have a limited financial history because you are young, recently immigrated, or simply have not used credit much, the verification process can fail. There is not enough good data available to confirm your identity.
Expanding your financial history by getting a credit card, taking out a small loan, or building other payment records in your name can help strengthen your identity profile over time. But for those new to the system, identity verification will be a challenge.
You have no digital footprint or records are sparse
In the digital age, our online activities like social media, shopping accounts, email records, etc. leave a trail of data that can serve as a digital footprint. Identity verification systems look for these digital footprints connected to your identifying details. If you have very little online presence and activity, the verification process struggles to confirm your identity. Reasons for having a light digital footprint include:
- You avoid social media and online accounts.
- You frequently change phone numbers and email addresses.
- You have a common name that is difficult to distinguish.
- You move frequently so records are fractured.
Building up more of an online presence over time can strengthen your digital footprint and help with identity verification.
Your identity documents are inadequate
Most identity verification systems ask for identity documents like driver’s licenses, passports, Social Security cards, etc. The integrity of these documents is critical. If your identity documents are inadequate in some way, the verification process will fail. Some examples of problematic identity documents:
- Documents are expired.
- Name change or discrepancy between documents.
- Documents are from disreputable sources.
- Information is obscured or illegible.
Making sure you have current, high quality identity documents with consistent names and details will remove an obstacle from the identity verification process.
You are inadvertently flagged as high risk
Identity verification systems rely a lot on algorithms and risk modeling. Sometimes these systems can flag legitimate, honest users as potentially high risk due to various factors. Common reasons for being wrongly flagged include:
- Traveling internationally frequently.
- Using prepaid debit cards or payment apps that hide financial footprints.
- Having family members with criminal records or risky financial history.
- Living in high risk locations for fraud.
Unfortunately there is often little recourse when incorrectly flagged except trying another verification provider or building up your legitimate identity history over time.
Verification fails due to device used
Some identity verification systems are sensitive to the type of device you are using during the process. Using certain devices may trigger extra scrutiny or cause higher failure rates:
- Public computers at libraries, cafes, etc.
- Rooted Android devices or jailbroken iPhones.
- VPN connections that mask location or IP address.
- International travel while using a mobile device.
Using your own personal smartphone, laptop or home computer on a private internet connection can improve your chances for successful verification.
You fall victim to identity theft
One of the worst cases is when identity verification fails because someone else has stolen your identity and is actively using it. Identity thieves can duplicate your information and provide verification details to impersonate you. Some signs of potential identity theft leading to verification issues:
- Failed verifications when your information is accurate.
- Bills or credit accounts suddenly appearing in your name.
- Suspicious transactions you didn’t authorize.
Resolving identity theft takes significant time and effort. But catching it early can stop a small problem from becoming a huge nightmare.
How to overcome identity verification failures
If you are struggling to have your identity reliably verified, here are some steps to try:
- Double check all personal details you provide like name, birthday, addresses, etc. Fix any errors.
- Update your IDs and other identity documents to be current with consistent names.
- Expand your financial history by getting credit cards or small loans.
- Build up your digital footprint across social media, shopping sites and other accounts.
- Avoid very high risk devices and connections when verifying.
- Contact data bureaus to fix any errors in your records.
- File identity theft reports with authorities if you suspect foul play.
With consistent effort over time, you can strengthen your identity verification profile and overcome obstacles to confirming who you are.
When to seek help with verification issues
If the steps above still do not resolve your identity verification problems, it may be time to seek help. Reaching out to professionals can make sense once you:
- Exhaust options for correcting your personal information.
- Hit walls trying to fix errors with credit bureaus or other agencies.
- Need guidance documenting identity theft and restoring your identity.
- Have urgent verification needs you cannot resolve on your own.
At that point, contacting identity verification experts, credit repair agencies and identity theft victim advocates can provide specialized assistance.
Conclusion
Failed identity verification can be incredibly frustrating and make it impossible to access important services. But in many cases, there are steps you can take to uncover what is causing the failures and shore up your identity details to enable successful verification in the future. With some persistence and care, you can get your identity verified and avoid issues going forward. Just stay vigilant for any signs of identity theft and seek help promptly if problems persist.