Digital ID verification accelerates ID checks
Telefónica Deutschland streamlines ID verification for prepaid SIM customers with Thales Digital identity and document verification service.
In Germany, customers of prepaid SIMs and pay-as-you-go phones must verify their identity. Previously, the law only required customers to provide a name, address, and date of birth - information that could be falsified if not properly verified.
Now, telecommunication providers must review ID documents before activating SIM cards on their networks.
Telefónica Deutschland places great importance on making this process as easy and fast as possible for its customers.
Telefónica prepaid customers can now provide proof of ID through:
- in store verification,
- online verification via PCs and tablets,
- Mobile phone verification.
This is a significant improvement, as previous verification methods were carried out manually.
Faster and more secure ID verification
Telefónica Deutschland has collaborated with Thales' German office to further optimize these processes.
"With the new service from Thales, we are complementing our existing identification process," says Thorsten Wagner, Director of the Partner & Business department at Telefónica Deutschland. "The digital solution automatically compares the data provided by the customer online or in-store with the entered identity document. This accelerates the review process and enhances security."
The Thales service can review a wide range of identity documents, including passports, identity cards, and residence permits.
In-store processes remain unchanged for customers
Telefónica Deutschland customers benefit from faster access to their new SIM cards without any changes to the purchase process. When purchasing a Telefónica SIM card in-store, customers simply present their ID document to a staff member. The staff member reviews the document for any obvious forgeries, collects the legally required data, scans the document, and sends it to Telefónica Deutschland's back office. There, it is checked using Thales Digital Identity Verification. If everything is correct, the SIM card is activated immediately.
Online customers can choose between video identification and Deutsche Post verification
Customers purchasing a Telefónica SIM card online receive it by mail and can then choose to verify their ID using one of two methods:
- Video identification: Customers are directed to a partner website where they can use their camera to show their ID to a specially-trained employee. The service provider then sends the data to Telefónica Deutschland's back office for verification.
- Deutsche Post verification: After online registration, customers can generate a coupon to present along with their ID at one of more than 8,500 Deutsche Post offices, where their data is sent to Telefónica for verification.
This process also applies to SIM purchases in supermarkets. Customers register online and then select either the video identification procedure or the Deutsche Post option. The only difference is the increased speed of ID verification, enabling customers to get connected faster.
More resources
- Ensuring that all California drivers are driving legally: ID verification at the California Department of Motor Vehicle (California DMV)
- Know your customer: What is KYC? Why is it important?