These ID proofs could only help with a residence attached to an individual and cannot confirm if the individual resides at the address. It is where the problems start.

The address an individual provides during a background check could be an old address or a false one. This is the reason a physical verification by a field agent is the only way to verify an address accurately.

Most countries have a national address database which could be accessed for verifying anyone’s address. Having such a database in India with the multiverse of languages and culture is close to an impossibility.

There is, of course, Aadhaar which is the biggest repository of human data ever compiled in history. It includes addresses, but the addresses wouldn’t help you get to the residence, let alone confirm if the bearer lives there.

What is address verification? 

Address verification refers to the verification of the address that the candidate shares with the company. In simple terms, address verification is for the authentication of a person that verifies the address they claim to live in is genuine or not.

Address verification is done for various purposes, such as employee hiring, granting scholarships to students, or onboarding customers for the bank. For example, employee address verification is a vital step at employee hiring. It is because an employee can access sensitive information about the company. Hence, an employee must be a trusted person.

Similarly, a bank needs genuine customers. It ensures this verifying address documents that include government ID proof of the person mentioning their name, address, and photograph. And these days, people prefer online address verification.

Need for address verification

Data plays a very crucial role in business initiatives and plans. A total of 97% of the company’s employees use this data for business opportunities, increasing the total revenue and serving their best to the customers. There will be fewer wasted outbound mails, reduced accurate marketing activity, and low costs with address verification. 

As per a study by the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners, there was a total of 43% of occupational frauds, of which 52% of companies performed address verification and background checks while 48% of companies did not follow the same. The companies who performed background checks found some fraud cases as well. And by taking immediate action, companies can prevent potential damage or loss.

Organizations that require address verification

Every industry requires address verification to prevent fraud. However, it is most important in the financial and e-commerce sectors because:

• Financial sector: Employees and customers are required to go through address verification in financial institutions. It is also necessary for the organization to authenticate individuals to mitigate the risk of account takeover, money laundering, and terrorist financing.
• E-commerce sector: The e-commerce industry faces enormous losses every year because of the orders returned. Address verification service in the e-commerce sector adds a layer of security to reduce fraudulent activities and prevent losses to the company.

Address verification process

Employee central address validation can be done in two ways:

• Physical address verification: Physical address verification is done by a field officer, who verifies the employee details, such as their tenure of stay at the given address, respondent in address verification, and other members living with the employee. An employee can have a permanent or temporary address, of which the permanent address is considered more reliable.
• Online address verification: Online address verification is easier for both employees and employers. Here, the employee needs to upload the address verification documents online, and the verification is done digitally. The online platform verifies the existence of the location using the latitude and longitude values. Then it is followed by a physical inspection.

Alongside other background verification services, SpringVerify conducts hundreds of address checks daily. These checks include the remotest of places in India to confirm the permanent address of a candidate may be working in Bengaluru.

The address validation is part of the standard checks we do at SpringVerify and a process we tackle daily. We have infused the process with technology to the extent possible, yet it remains an operational nightmare. The reason for the complexity lies in the fact that there is human effort involved in confirming addresses.

A SpringVerify agent is assigned to every address verification task who will:

• Visit the address in question
• Take images of the residence with the candidate
• Upload the image through a secured app
• Finally, provide a confirmation

The challenges we overcome with technology

• Time Management: The process looks straightforward until we realize that finding a mutual time for the candidate and the agent to visit the address in itself is tough. The candidate or someone from his/her family needs to be available at the residence to verify. We use notifications and updated time slots to make sure the address check happens at the first instance.
• Safety: Making sure of the safety of both the candidate and the agent while performing the address check is crucial. The agent at no point has the actual phone number of a candidate. The calls are always routed through different call bridges for safety and anonymity. We also make sure we verify the identities of the agents before we allow a check performed by them. It is essential for the process to be successful and as error-free as possible.
• Data Security: The data collected from the residence in the form of images and confirmation notes are uploaded via an encrypted device to our databases. The information is never available with the agent to access and is written to encrypted servers to keep it from appending even by our backend teams.

About SpringVerify

SpringVerify is the modern take on the age-old problem of employee verification being costly, tedious, and out of reach of small businesses. We are trying to build a platform where the employee verification process happens seamlessly and with minimal effort required from both the company and the employee.

We believe that employee verification is a must for any business. It is a critical process in ensuring that every employee working with you is faithful and could be trusted. CareerBuilder survey shows that a company stands to lose on average $17000 on a wrong hire.

We have built the platform with blockchain and believe that it will change virtually everything it comes in contact with. Blockchain helps us in building a decentralized system which keeps all our data secure and immutable.

FAQ

What is address verification API?

It is an application programming interface that verifies postal addresses automatically. They integrate with websites and databases to enhance their data.

What can be used as address verification documents?

Below is the list of valid address verification documents for an individual:

• Government-issued ID
• Social security card
• Utility bill
• Insurance card
• Property tax receipt
• Lease agreement
• Driver’s license
• Posted mail with applicant’s name
• College enrollment papers
• Voter registration card

What is the purpose of address verification?

Address verification is often a mandatory process before hiring an employee, offering a loan to someone, or other similar instances in order to:

• Avoid identity frauds.
• Ensure that the candidate is not linked to illegal communities
• To send out documents and letters physically.
• To figure if the candidate committed a criminal act during his employment with your organization.

How is address verification done in India?

The address verification in India is done with the help of a verification software and photographic evidence.

[Published September 6, 2019 Last Updated June 6, 2022]

The post Efficient Address Verification Is Tricky [2026 Updated] appeared first on SpringVerify Blog.

There were always avenues where one could access authentic information. But these avenues were still a part of a collective who found the importance of authentic information.

We had to hunt the authentic information out there. It has never been easy.

Blockchain has changed it all. We are now in an age where things need to be authentic to have value. Whether it is the news or if it is the fine lines on the products you buy. Things are increasingly looking trustable. The advent of information age had to follow through to a better place with better everything.

Authentic information is one of them. And, informed consent letters on the blockchain is another.

Why informed? And why Blockchain?

As Bob McDonnell said, ”Informed consent is required for all invasive medical procedures, from getting your ears pierced to getting an abortion.”

‘Informed’ is a necessary part of consent. As important as ‘encryption’ is for data security. And, as important as ‘uneditable’ is for contracts.

Without complete information, consent is meaningless. And without permission, any act is intrusive.

Medicine has already started recording patient’s consent to a surgery over the blockchain. Every information discussed with the patient about the surgery is recorded along with the consent provided by the patient using blockchain. This makes the consent immutable and encrypted and ethical.

Blockchain is even used for informed consent for medical trials. There are also apps built over the blockchain which will make sure you have informed consent before sex. There is undeniable awkwardness to the process as described in the open letter, but it serves the purpose.

How we use the secured contracts at Springworks

Springworks is built on the very essence of authenticity. The need to have better profiles with authentic records of the candidates saw the birth of SpringRole — professional peer-reviewed profile. The lack of authentic background verification at affordable costs saw the rise of SpringVerify — the easiest way to conduct background checks for your team. And, the lack of authentic ATS saw the rise of SpringRecruit — the true-to-its-name forever-free Applicant Tracking System (ATS).

All of Springworks products help integrate authenticity and transparency into the solutions provided.

SpringRole writes the profiles to the SPRING blockchain. All the information added by the candidate is saved in a transparent and immutable ledger with the consent of the individual. Because the data is on a private blockchain, the individual owns both the information and the profile.

SpringVerify makes sure the consent letters for the background checks are transparent and have authenticity built-in. This helps in more exceptional customer experience and sets exact expectation during a background check.

The future of consent letters and consent in general between two individuals will entail clear terms which are transparent, informed and most probably saved away on a blockchain.

About SpringVerify

SpringVerify is the modern take on the age-old problem of employee verification being costly, tedious, and out of reach of small businesses. We are trying to build a platform where the employee verification process happens seamlessly and with minimal effort required from both the company and the employee.

We believe that employee verification is a must for any business. It is a critical process in ensuring that every employee working with you is faithful and could be trusted. CareerBuilder survey shows that a company stands to lose on average $17000 on a wrong hire. Read more here.

We have built the platform with blockchain and believe that it will change virtually everything it comes in contact with. Blockchain helps us in building a decentralized system which keeps all our data secure and immutable. Read more here.

The post How blockchain is guaranteeing informed consent letters appeared first on SpringVerify Blog.

“Of all the books in the World, the best stories are found between the pages of a passport. ”

Unknown

The earliest reference of the passport can be found from the reign of Henry V, in an Act of Parliament dated 1414. Passport, in literal terms, is a document used to pass through the ports of another state. Or, through the gates in city walls (‘portes’ in French) in ancient times. The origin of the word ‘passport’ is still up for debate, but the value it holds is still true to date.

Frauds using Passport

Over the years, there have been different safety precautions taken to curb the frauds through passport verification. Yet the rise in levels of passport fraud is a grave concern. Reportedly Nirav Modi of Punjab National Bank fraud possessed 3 passports.

During a crucial hire, a passport verification service has been used by most firms. The document is a confirmation of the authenticity of an individual in terms of identity. Confirming the authenticity of candidates during a hiring process should be of prime importance for any company.

MRZ Passport Verification

One of the primary verifications involves scanning the MRZ (machine-readable zone) code. The MRZ contains the name, passport number, nationality, date of birth, sex, and passport expiration date of an individual.

During this verification, the Passport MRZ code is checked and matched with the code generated using the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) algorithm. Any inconsistency in MRZ code is indicative of manipulation.

Passport verification is a standard process during a background check by SpringVerify.

Passport is bound to become a major component in an individual’s identity going forward. In a scenario where governments will have identities stored cryptographically, validating an individual would only require an iris scan.

Till such a future happens, individual id verification will have different forms including passport verification system.

Doing background verification yourself is complicated and time-consuming. Try our employee background verification platform, Springverify – where employee verifications happen seamlessly and with minimal effort required from both the company.

About SpringVerify

SpringVerify is the modern take on the age-old problem of employee verification being costly, tedious, and out of reach of small businesses. We are trying to build a platform where the employee verification process happens seamlessly and with minimal effort required from both the company and the employee.

We believe that employee verification is a must for any business. It is a critical process in ensuring that every employee working with you is faithful and could be trusted. CareerBuilder survey shows that a company stands to lose on average $17000 on a wrong hire. Read more here.

We have built the platform with blockchain and believe that it will change virtually everything it comes in contact with. Blockchain helps us in building a decentralized system which keeps all our data secure and immutable. Read more here

FAQ

Why should I conduct a passport verification?

1. For identity verification purposes.
2. To ensure that MRZ Passport code is intact.
3. It offers more effective data validation.
4. It is an automated bgv process.

Where can I find my MRZ code?

You can find the code at the bottom of your passport. It contains digits, letters, and chevrons.

How many digits are MRZ code?

An MRZ code has a layout of 36 characters- 31 for alphabets, 7 for personal number, and one less check digit.

What if MRZ code doesn’t get detected?

If there is any inconsistency in the MRZ code or the details offered, it is possibly fraudulent.

What can someone do with my Passport details?

Someone with your passport details can use it for fraudulent purposes. They can impersonate you and get access to even confidential information.

How do I find my Passport number?

Here’s how your passport number looks like:

1. It is 8 characters long.
2. First two characters are upper-case alphabets.
3. Next two characters are numbers.
4. The next character is either a zero or a whitespace character.
5. Next 4 characters are any numbers from 0-9.
6. Last character is any digit between 1-9.

[Originally Published September 6th 2019 Last Update May 13 2022]

That was all about Passport Verification, there are plenty of other documents you can use for verification purposes. If you’re searching for more details around it, here’s what can help you:

• How Vaccination Verification Is A Game-Changer For Your Company?
• How can Pan Card be misused? And ways to prevent them
• Importance of Identity Check and How It Works
• Aadhaar masking: Here’s what you need to know about
• A Unified Driving Licence format in India: why was it important?
• Easy Steps to get your Aadhaar XML Paperless e-KYC Done

The post Passport Verification Using MRZ appeared first on SpringVerify Blog.

All these identity systems have faced security flaws, identity thefts, and data breaches. The very fact that these systems house personal data with potential for misuse makes for a real debate. The Forbes article by Jayshree Pandya talks about the implications and the risks involved with having such sensitive data at hand for private entities to use.

Aadhaar is the biggest repository of human biometric data ever compiled in the history. Over a Billion people from India have their biometric and personal information in the database, with around 99% of adults already enrolled. There are apparent concerns of misuse of the data by the government and private institutions, including profiling, tracking of different accounts, and politically influencing individuals. The identity system has been linked with multiple governments and private accounts, including bank accounts, phone numbers, government-subsidized ration, and more.

Following the heated debates in 2018 and the subsequent review of the identity system by the government, the Indian Judiciary made it unlawful to use Aadhaar cards as the identity of any individual. However, the Indian Cabinet has passed an act yesterday, which allows the use of Aadhaar as an identity document, subject to authentication.

The use of Aadhaar as an identity document is slated to become robust and secure with the Indian government taking heed of all the concerns around the system. It would be used by state governments to issue subsidies as well.

Aadhaar Masking

The Indian government, in their latest iteration to the laws regulating Aadhaar use, have allowed for its use as a personal identifier. However, the use of the personal identification number on the Aadhaar is still limited. No private entity, other than the government-approved ones, can use the Aadhaar number or store it for any purpose.

The government is even looking into options for issuing temporary random numbers masking the actual identity number of the individual for usage.

Private entities can access the necessary information, except the biometric and iris scans, to validate an individual. Once validated, the entities can then save the Aadhaar in their records only after masking the first 8 digits of the personal identifier. This is called Aadhaar masking.

Anyone can log in to their Aadhaar account and download digital masked Aadhaar cards. The card with the first 8 digits masked is by law an identifier for any individual owner. It could be used to identify, to open bank accounts, and to showcase your residence.

What does it mean for businesses and individuals going forward?

These are exciting times to be alive. The need for digital identities is a pressing one going forward. The level of fraud and identity thefts have made it a necessary shift.

Businesses will be able to get better information about the person they are talking to, providing service to, or selling a product to. The cases of fraud and impersonation will fall as the system and technology behind the databases evolve. Aadhaar is here to stay.

Yet there is a need to make the system better and to have security layers in place. The government is working towards it, and we Indians will be some of the first people in the world to have superior identity systems in place.

For individuals, it would be an asset that would help them access different services both government and private. It will reduce the moving parts for any subsidies and services from the government and in the future be the best identifier of you being an Indian.

About SpringRole

SpringRole is enabling everyone’s #VerifiedProfessionalProfile on the Blockchain. It is a decentralized attestation-based professional network platform powered by the blockchain.

SpringRole is the platform where people can view, share, and get attestations on their professional profile, thereby creating a verified resume that they can share and use. The organizations themselves verify a user’s educational qualifications and work experience, which is written directly to the blockchain. To assess a user’s skill set, SpringRole has a system of weighted endorsements that let users objectively look at people’s profiles and evaluate their skill level.

About SpringVerify

SpringVerify is the modern take on the age-old problem of employee verification being costly, tedious, and out of reach of small businesses. We are trying to build a platform where the employee verification process happens seamlessly and with minimal effort required from both the company and the employee.

We believe that employee verification is a must for any business. It is a critical process in ensuring that every employee working with you is faithful and could be trusted. CareerBuilder survey shows that a company stands to lose on average $17000 on a wrong hire.

We have built the platform with blockchain and believe that it will change virtually everything it comes in contact with. Blockchain helps us in building a decentralized system which keeps all our data secure and immutable.

That was all about Aadhaar Masking, there are plenty of documents you can use for verification purposes. If you’re searching for more details around it, here’s what can help you:

• How Vaccination Verification Is A Game-Changer For Your Company?
• How can Pan Card be misused? And ways to prevent them
• Importance of Identity Check and How It Works
• A Unified Driving Licence format in India: why was it important?
• Easy Steps to get your Aadhaar XML Paperless e-KYC Done
• Passport Verification Using MRZ – SpringVerify India Blog

The post Aadhaar masking: Here’s what you need to know about appeared first on SpringVerify Blog.