Canadians are doing more online and less in person — from shopping to investing and banking to accessing government services.
And while you enjoy the ease of doing all of that digitally, you also may have questions and concerns around the portability of your data. Interac Verified gives you an easy to use way to digitally verify your data and confirm your identity to access participating business or government services. Read on to learn more about how you can take advantage of our digital solutions to make daily life more convenient.
What is Interac Verified?
Interac Verified is a suite of three services that allow you to prove you are who you say you are. They’re all easy to use, and they’re protected with multiple layers of security — so you can take part in digital interactions seamlessly and confidently.
Whenever you use one of the Interac Verified solutions, you’ll be guided through the process through easy-to-follow prompts.
- Interac verification service helps you digitally verify your data using your existing online credentials from a trusted source, such as a participating financial institution. You can use this service, where available, when signing up for something new — for example, opening a new bank account, creating a new profile with your insurance or benefits provider, or confirming membership with a retailer.
- Interac document verification service allows you to digitally confirm your identity using a liveness check and accepted forms of government documents, such as a driver’s licence or Canadian passport. As part of the verification process, you’ll be asked to take a photo of the identity document as well as a photo of yourself to check that your face matches your ID. It’s all about establishing that you really are you.
- Interac sign-in service enables you to use your existing online banking credentials with a participating financial institution, to gain access to participating digital government services in a secure and convenient way — instead of having to create and manage a new username and password for each one.
Let’s pause for a quick recap on the basics of Interac Verified:
- Interac Verified gives Canadians a convenient way to digitally prove they are who they say they are
- It’s fast and easy to use
- Greater choice (more options) for accessing digital services
What can you do with Interac Verified in your day-to-day life?
Look for opportunities to use Interac Verified when you’re enrolling in a new financial service, registering for a profile with your insurance provider, registering for online healthcare services, or confirming your membership with a retail brand. Below are a few examples of how you can take advantage of Interac Verified solutions today.
You can access many government services, such as your tax information, using Interac sign-in service. (Visit this page to learn more about Interac sign-in service, including a list of participating banks and credit unions.)
If you belong to a participating membership-only retail store, you can use Interac verification service to digitally verify yourself using your online banking credentials. Once you’re verified, you can easily make changes to your account, access self-service features, and manage other preferences. (For a list of participating banks and credit unions, visit this page.)
With Interac document verification service, you can use your accepted form of government-issued ID to verify your identity when you require access to participating digital government and business services, such as opening a bank account online with a participating financial institution without having to make an in-person visit. (Check which ID documents are accepted at this link.)
Why use Interac Verified?
Now that you know what you can do with Interac Verified, what about the why? Because it was designed to make your digital life easier. Here are some reasons to consider using it:
It’s an easy and convenient experience
Some processes that normally need to be completed in person can be done remotely using your mobile devices (or your personal computer, in some cases). Interac Verified delivers a convenient and secure way to verify yourself.
Less friction, faster verification
Digital verification can speed up the process when you’re required to verify your data, allowing you to access services and information quickly — and without the need for physical documentation or in-person visits.
Better digital access
Speed up access to the products and services you need with simple, secure digital options to confirm your data and get access to participating government and business services that require personal data verification.
Greater choice
Interac Verified adds a new choice for Canadians wanting to access digital services, to give more Canadians options that are right for them.
What else can you do when Interac Verified is in your life?
Read this article to learn more about taking the friction out of some of your day-to-day interactions, and the potential of what verification solutions could offer down the road.
Getting started with Interac Verified: How to verify and authenticate your identity
It’s easy to get started with Interac Verified. Here’s how:
To start using Interac sign-in service to authenticate yourself, all you’ll need is an account with a participating Canadian financial institution, and access to online banking.
- Interac sign-in service can be found on the sign-in page of various government service websites by navigating to the “Sign-In Partners” login option. From there, you will be redirected to the Interac sign-in service page to start the process.
- Choose your financial institution from the list of sign-in partners, and you’ll be redirected to your financial institution to complete the login process. Enter your banking username and password to continue. Interac will not have access to your login information. (You may also be prompted to complete a multi-factor authentication before you can proceed. This could involve you inputting a one-time passcode that will be delivered via phone call, text message, or email.)
- Once the authentication process is successful, you’ll be able to use the government service you’re logging on to.
Interac verification service is available through select organizations when there is a need to verify your identity for when you are opening a new account or need to verify profile information. Once again, you’ll need an account with a participating financial institution and access to online banking in order to use it.
- On the website or app for the service provider you’re using, look for the Interac verification service option, which will redirect you to the start of the Interac verification service process.
- Select your financial institution from the list provided, and you’ll be redirected to your financial institution to complete the login process. Interac will not have access to your login information. (Your financial institution may prompt you to complete a multi-factor authentication.)
- You’ll be asked to confirm and consent to the information being shared with the organization requesting it.
- Once verification is complete, you will be redirected back to the organization’s website.
When prompted to use Interac document verification service, you’ll need to use your mobile phone that has a camera and a valid government identification (such as your passport, driver’s licence or provincial photo ID card) to complete the verification process.
- Start the process by looking for the option that says Interac document verification service on the platform or website you are using. You will have the option to either scan a QR code or enter your phone number and receive a one-time passcode via text message, which you will then have to input to continue.
- Interac document verification service confirms your identity based on government-issued ID, so you’ll be asked to take a photo of your driver’s licence, a Canadian passport, or another valid piece of ID. (Visit this page to see a full list of government-issued documents that may be eligible for verification by Interac document verification service.)
- Next, you’ll be prompted to use your camera to take a picture of yourself. This is a security measure to ensure that you’re a real live person, and your face matches your ID. Be sure to follow the instructions carefully. Some forms of identification will require you to take a picture of the front and back of the document.
- Once all documentation has been submitted, keep the page open and your device on as the service quickly confirms the data has been received. The images will be verified by Interac document verification service. The organization will receive confirmation that your identity has been confirmed, and will notify you.
Where to learn more about Interac Verified
Interested in learning more about Interac Verified? See how it keeps you in control of how you verify yourself while providing a safe and convenient way to access government and business services.
