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How do I verify my identity?

How do I verify my identity?

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Estimated time: 15 minutes

Identity verification is all about making sure it’s really you opening your account. To get started, download the Holvi app on your mobile device and log in.

What happens next depends on where you live and work.

Where are you living?

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🇫🇮 How to verify my identity in Finland

We’ll verify your identity using your Finnish Bank ID or Mobile ID. Unfortunately, if you don’t have a Bank ID or Mobile ID you won’t be able to open an account.

Instructions to verify with Signicat

You’ll see the name Signicat mentioned as the service provider when verifying your identity in Finland. Signicat is our trusted partner for identity verification services. You can also verify using your Mobile ID.

Note

Holvi can’t verify your identity by documents alone. However, if we need more info we might ask for a copy of your passport.

 

🇩🇪 How to verify my identity in Germany

Our partners at IDNow will verify your identity via video chat. We accept the following IDs:

  • Passport
  • ID Card

Instructions to verify with IDNow

  1. Log in to Holvi on your mobile device
    • If you haven’t already, download the Holvi app from the App Store or Google Play
  2. Follow the steps to add your personal details
  3. You’ll be guided to verify your identity with IDNow

You don’t need to book a time with IDNow, Just have your phone with a proper camera and ID ready. IDNow will guide you through the rest.

After the video chat, please wait until you’re redirected to your account – don’t close the app yet. To complete your identity verification, you’ll need to confirm your address.

 

🇪🇺 How to verify my identity in Eurozone

For business owners in Austria, Belgium, Ireland and Netherlands, AutoIdent by IDnow will verify your identity via video chat. We accept the following IDs:

  • Passport

Instructions to verify with AutoIdent

  1. Log in to Holvi on your mobile device
    • If you haven’t already, download the Holvi app from the App Store or Google Play
  2. Follow the steps to add your personal details
  3. You’ll be guided to verify your identity with AutoIdent

AutoIdent will guide you through the process of scanning your passport and face. Once done, you’ll receive a confirmation within 10 approximately minutes.

Pro tips

  • Make sure you have a good wifi connection
  • Find a well-lit space – dark rooms with spotlight make it difficult to read your ID
  • It might take a few minutes for our app to update your verification status

Technical issues with IDNow / AutoIdent?

Contact their support, or contact us via live chat.

 

Frequently asked questions

1. Why is identity verification necessary?

As a licensed payment institution, Holvi works in a highly regulated sector. This means we need to collect specific information to help fight against financial crime.

We act in accordance with the European Anti-Money Laundering Act to make sure all our customers are who they claim to be, and that their activity is 100% legal. This way, you and your hard-earned money stay safe!

To sum up, we verify your identity to:

  • Protect Holvi customers from fraud and losses
  • Protect Holvi from any kind of criminal activity
  • Protect other people, authorities and financial institutions in contact with Holvi and our customers

2. How long does it take to verify my identity? 

If everything is in order, your email address and home address are verified, and you’ve gone through the relevant process (Finnish bank identification, IDnow or AutoIdent), identity verification is completed instantly.

3. I only have a temporary ID / my ID is not accepted by IDnow 

Unfortunately, we can't accept temporary ID documents. Also, if you’re verifying your identity using IDnow and IDnow does not support your ID, we’re unfortunately not able to provide any replacement verification method at the moment. 

4. Why do I need to re-verify my identity after pairing a new device?

We know this is inconvenient, but this is an extra precaution we’ve deemed necessary to keep your account secure. After changing devices, please re-verify to use Holvi on your new device.Your account access will be restricted until you re-verify.

If you have more questions, please contact us via live chat or reach out here. 

5. Does Holvi offer Post-Ident?

No, we do not currently offer this method of verification. For security reasons, please do not send us any documents by post or email.  

6. I'm not receiving the code to start IDNow

This code can't be obtained through our mobile app. Please log in to your account in your browser to get the code. Once you have this, you can then continue verification through the mobile app. 

7. My camera is not good enough for IDNow, what can I do?

IDNow will check the holograms on your ID documents. This is done to prevent fraud, and is essential under the regulatory requirements of the Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin) to complete identification in the financial sector. For security reasons, your camera needs to provide a clear enough picture to meet IDNow’s standards.

If your camera doesn't meet these standards, please try verifying your identity on a newer device – or clean your lens and try again.

8. I live in Finland, what can I do if I don't have a Finnish Bank ID or Mobile ID?

If you don’t have a Finnish Bank ID or Mobile ID, we’re unable to provide an alternate verification method at this time. We know it can be difficult for foreign citizens to obtain such an ID after arriving in Finland, and we sympathise with this issue, truly. However, for the time-being this is our only accepted way of proving it's really you opening an account.

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