Why do WBW need to check my identity? What is an AML check?
All law firms in the UK are regulated under the Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing and Transfer of Funds (Information on the Payer) Regulations 2017. These regulations mean that WBW, as all solicitors firms do, need to carry out `due diligence’ checks on our clients so we can be confident that we have been able to confirm the identity of and verify address details for our clients.
We are required to have robust policies and procedures in place to do so and part of this is the anti-money laundering checks (AML) that we ask our clients to do for us.
These AML checks include our obtaining and verifying photo identification for our clients, such as Passports, Driver’s Licences and obtaining documentation which confirms our clients addresses for us, perhaps a bank statement or utility bill.
The need to carry verify our clients’ identities rules apply for the types of work that we do at WBW and we need to comply with them whether or not `money’ is changing hands. This is because we have to ensure and be able to evidence that we are confident that we know who our clients are.
We do understand that AML checks can sometimes feel intrusive or unnecessary – however, we need to carry out these checks both to make sure transactions are as safe as they can be and to ensure that we comply with the requirements from our regulators.
AML checks are more than just `ticking boxes’ and they play an important part in helping to prevent property fraud and identity theft. We all have a part to play in this and we take our role in this seriously.
Who or what is InfoTrack?
InfoTrack is the company that we work with to carry out the ID verification and the AML checks we need.
The company has an app that you can use to carry out the AML check for us when we ask our clients to do so. The app is easy to download, straightforward and designed to make the process as easy as possible.
If you are happy to use the app to carry out the AML check, just let us know. We will send you a link to do and we will need a mobile number and an email address for you to do so.
Why We Use InfoTrack
We use InfoTrack because we find that there can be real benefits for our clients in completing these AML checks by using the app where they can. The app is straightforward to use, you can complete the process at any time and to suit you, you do not need to bring your ID physically into our office or have this verified in person elsewhere. We also get the results back from InfoTrack very quickly and it is easy then to identify any other information we might need from you.
What happens if you would prefer not to use the app or are unable to do so?
There are times when the app may not be suitable and we understand that you may prefer to come and see us in one of our offices face to face.
We do appreciate too that the app is not always straight forward to use if you do not have a valid Passport or Driving Licence, if you don’t have address ID to confirm your address or you don’t have ready access to a smartphone.
If this is the case or you would simply prefer to drop in and see us, please let us know and we can easily let you know what ID you will need to bring in for us.
Top Tips for Clients Using the App
If you do use the app, there are some tips below:-
- It helps to have to have the papers you will be asked for ready in advance so your Passport, Driving Licence and two documents to confirm your address.
- The accepted types of address documentation are a Council tax statement, a bank statement, utility bill or correspondence from HMRC. These need to be less than three months old.
- When taking photos of your photo ID if you are using your Passport, make sure you take a photo of the glossy Passport photo, not the matt one.
- When taking photos of your photo ID, make sure there is no glare. It is then much easier to make sure your Passport or Driving Licence photo are good likeness of you.
- When you take the selfie that you will be asked for, please make sure this is just a head shot.
Support for Clients
The app will take you through the process step by step and any technical issues are best handled through InfoTrack. The helpdesk at InfoTrack is really helpful and can offer great guidance and talk through any `wrinkles’ along the way. Their contact details will be on the app for you so they are readily to hand if you need to make contact. WBW can help with general questions on the process and please do just make contact with the person you spoke to originally or who sent you the InfoTrack links.
WBW Solicitors has offices in Axminster, Bovey Tracey, Brixham, Exeter, Exmouth, Honiton, Launceston, Newton Abbot, Paignton, Seaton, Sidmouth, and Torquay.
This article is for general information only and does not constitute legal or professional advice. Please note that the law may have changed since this article was published.
