Client identity checking and Callcredit

Client identity checking and Callcredit

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Up to now we have been taking copies of passport and utility bills for identity purposes, and it's a little tedious but apart from that ...
I've just had a demo of Callcredit where it all appears to be done very simply online (and it has the additional advantage of throwing up CCJs and bankruptcies) ...for a cost of around £5 a go.
Is anyone else using this service, and if so how do you find it?
Also is there a similar service that anyone can recommend that is better or cheaper?
Thanks
David Evans

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By Essex FCCA
18th May 2007 13:16

Call Credit
David,

I use it and it works well (I have no connection with Call Credit).

There is a minimum charge each month so unless you are carrying out say 10 or more checks each month, for the smaller practices it may not be cost effective.

Paul

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By David160
18th May 2007 17:39

How does it do it?
How does callcredit confirm that the person is who they say they are? Passports and driving licences are verified by the government, credit cards and bank statements by the banks, so are reliable, but there is little publicly available information that is really reliable?

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By AnonymousUser
18th May 2007 21:03

callcredit
I bought one of these from a 3rd party (£12 + VAT) and it seems very comprehensive and is a definite ID.

I tried to contact Callcredit to get any future ones direct but got no reply to me email (figuring it would be cheaper direct).

I only used it because the new client was at the other end of the country from me - I' rather just take a free copy of a passport etc for face-to-face clients.

Jenni

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By newmoon
19th May 2007 06:15

Callcredit is part of Skipton Building Society
...and has access to number of bank accounts and credit cards at the address, electoral records and CCJs. None of the information provided includes financial figures - it just lists the number of bank accounts etc registered to the person at that address. It doesn''t count as a credit check on the client's credit record.
If you want a phone number for Callcredit email me at [email protected]
I

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By steveoneill
21st May 2007 11:21

ML Regulations 2007
The new 2007 regs will not allow just a simple passport & bill in about an est. 40% of cases. You are operating a mandatory risk assessment on all clients, where it may pose a higher risk you will have to get further documents or data from the client and/or certify or verify the passport etc. You also have the added problem in these cases of searching the politically exposed persons file, sanctions listing including the Bank of England. You will not have access to the PEP file since it is a CIA file. The main way it will be accessabe to everyone will be through an electronic search, except 1 of the 3 agencies does not as yet provide this service. CallML is also a document verification service, being able to validate a passport, bank statement, CC account etc. It fulfills all the criteria of the new Regs. The new guidance notes for accountants etc states that verification may be done by 'document, electronic verification or a combination of both'.

All the 3 agencies offer the service but all have a minimum entry level. We are agents for CallCredit and as such we offer a pay as you go service, with no minimum requirements, we perform the search, resolve queries and deliver the completed report to you in under 1 hr in a PDF format, for this we do charge £12.50 which includes the search fee. This is also classed as a catorgy one disbursement, therfore billable to the client if you so choose.

For more information on electronic searches visit our website www.btc-nw.co.uk

Steve O'Neill
Business Tax Centre Ltd

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