Manual vs. automated identity verification: Why automation wins

Identity verification is at the heart of today’s business operations. Whether you’re onboarding new customers, meeting compliance standards, or safeguarding against fraud, verifying identities accurately and efficiently is crucial. However, the traditional manual methods of identity verification fall short more often than not. They’re slow, costly, and prone to errors, making them an increasingly unreliable option in a competitive, fast-paced market.

Automated identity verification solutions like Veriff are transforming the game, offering unmatched speed, precision, and security. Let’s take an in-depth look at why automated verification is the clear winner and how Veriff’s cutting-edge solution gives your business the competitive edge it needs.

The challenges of manual verification

1. Slow and inefficient processes

Manual identity verification typically relies on human effort to review documents, cross-check data, and assess validity. This painstaking process often takes hours or even days for a single verification.

For example, consider the travel industry during peak seasons. A surge of customers means an increased need to verify passports and visas swiftly. With manual processes, verification bottlenecks can delay bookings, frustrate customers, and even lead to lost revenue. Similarly, in the digital banking sector, manual vs automated identity verification often comes into sharp contrast during customer onboarding—manual approaches extend wait times and may discourage applicants from completing the process.

2. High costs of operation

Manual verification processes are labor-intensive, requiring staff training, salaries, and infrastructure. For every 100 verifications, you may need a team of individuals meticulously sifting through sensitive documents and ensuring compliance. Over time, this expense adds up, especially for businesses looking to scale globally.

Consider an e-commerce platform processing thousands of transactions daily. Allocating resources for manual verification at such a high volume not only eats into your budget but also diverts human resources that could be better utilized elsewhere.

3. Error-prone and vulnerable to fraud

Humans are, by nature, prone to mistakes. A misread passport number, overlooked expiration date, or a typo in data entry can lead to significant errors. More critically, manual verification processes are not nearly as adept at spotting sophisticated fraudulent tactics, leaving organizations vulnerable to identity theft or financial fraud.

Take financial institutions dealing with high-value transactions. A missed forgery or a misinterpreted document could result in monetary losses, reputational damage, and regulatory penalties.

“Take financial institutions dealing with high-value transactions. A missed forgery or a misinterpreted document could result in monetary losses, reputational damage, and regulatory penalties.”

John Mitzel Head of Marketing, Self-Serve Veriff

Advantages of automated identity verification

Given these challenges, automation in identity verification emerges not just as a superior solution but a necessity. Automated KYC processes harness cutting-edge technology to counter the inefficiencies and vulnerabilities of manual systems.

1. Speed and efficiency

Veriff’s automated system processes most verifications in seconds, allowing businesses to onboard customers almost instantly. Imagine the impact on sectors like e-commerce, where rapid verification directly influences conversion rates. Faster verification means smoother customer experiences, shorter wait times, and happier clients.

For example, with Veriff’s automated identity verification, an online marketplace can swiftly validate seller identities, reducing onboarding time and enabling merchants to start transacting immediately.

2. Enhanced accuracy with AI and ML

Veriff’s solution leverages Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) to analyze and validate identity documents with unparalleled precision. The system detects anomalies, such as signs of tampering or forgery, that even the most trained human eye might overlook. It learns from vast datasets, continuously improving its accuracy over time.

Here’s how it works in practice:

• AI evaluates document scans, comparing them against a library of over 12,000 document types from 230+ countries and territories.
• ML algorithms flag inconsistencies in data, such as mismatched names or altered images, while continuously refining its detection capabilities based on previous cases.

3. Global scalability

Expanding your business globally comes with a unique set of challenges in identity verification. Each country has different ID formats, languages, and compliance requirements. Manual verification across such diverse landscapes is impractical at scale.

With Veriff’s digital identity verification technology, your business gains access to global support across document types and jurisdictions, enabling fast and compliant growth in markets across North America, Asia, and Europe.

4. Strengthened security with biometrics

Data security is non-negotiable in identity verification technology, especially with rising concerns over privacy breaches and cybercrime. Veriff employs state-of-the-art biometric technology, including facial recognition, to confirm an individual’s identity accurately.

For instance:

• A customer uploads a photo of their ID and a selfie during verification.
• Veriff’s biometric matching system compares the two images, confirming identity with a high degree of precision.

Additionally, Veriff uses advanced encryption protocols to protect sensitive customer data, ensuring a secure experience for both businesses and their clients.

Discover how Veriff’s advanced fraud detection tools safeguard businesses—watch the video to learn more:

5. Cost efficiency at scale

Replacing manual verification with Veriff’s automated solution leads to significant cost savings. Automation eliminates the need for large reviewers’ teams and reduces errors, minimizing the cost of fraud mitigation and compliance penalties.

Why choose Veriff for automated identity verification?

Veriff isn’t just a leader in automated identity verification; it’s a partner committed to helping businesses thrive. With Veriff, you can:

• Save time: Instant verifications minimize delays and keep your operations running smoothly.
• Boost security: Avoid errors, detect fraud early, and protect customer data.
• Achieve scalability: Seamlessly verify global users and support your business as it grows.
• Deliver exceptional customer experiences: A fast, accurate, and straightforward verification process leaves a lasting impression on your users.

Veriff helps you prioritize what’s most important—scaling your business. By automating identity verification with a smart system, you can dedicate more time to innovation, enhancing customer experience, and achieving excellence. With Veriff’s Zapier integration, you can streamline ID verification processes across platforms like HubSpot and Dropbox, reducing risk and boosting efficiency.

Save time, protect data, and deliver an exceptional customer experience with Veriff’s Automated Identity Verification. Watch video

Making the shift to automation

The choice between manual vs. automated identity verification isn’t just a tech upgrade—it’s a strategic move. Manual verification can’t keep pace with modern business needs. But with Veriff’s automated ID verification solutions, you’re future-ready.

Whether you’re a startup aiming to onboard users efficiently or a global brand handling large-scale compliance checks, Veriff’s identity verification automation ensures you’re covered—quickly, accurately, and globally.

Take action today

Don’t let manual processes slow your growth. Embrace the future of digital identity verification with Veriff’s automated system. Experience the benefits of faster onboarding, smarter fraud detection, and a seamless customer journey.

Try Veriff for free and see the difference automation makes.

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