How to Verify Your Wise Account: A Comprehensive Guide
Verifying your Wise account, now known as Wise, is an important step to ensure the security and functionality of your account. This guide will walk you through the process, explaining each step and providing helpful tips.
Why Verify Your Wise Account?
Wise, as a financial institution, requires verification to maintain the safety of both customers and transactions. This process helps in combating money laundering and ensuring that your transactions are secure.
Verification Process Steps
Step 1: Sign In to Your Account
To begin the verification process, log in to your Wise account through the website or app using your credentials. Make sure you are using the correct login details to access your account.
Step 2: Complete Your Profile
Ensure that all your personal information is up to date, including your name, address, and date of birth. Completing this information accurately is crucial for the verification process.
Step 3: Identity Verification
Necessary Identifier: The first step in identity verification is to use a valid photo ID, such as a passport or a national ID card (for the most recent version of the Nigerian national ID card).
Proof of Address: Along with your ID, you will need to provide proof of address. This can be a utility bill (such as gas, electric, or landline phone), a bank or credit card statement, a council tax bill, or an HMRC notification. Digital copies or scans of physical documents are also accepted.
Uploading Documents: Follow the on-screen prompts to upload your documents. Ensure that the images are clear and readable. This can be done either through the Wise app or website.
Step 4: Additional Verification (if necessary)
In some cases, Wise may require further verification. This can include a video call or additional documents, such as an online banking login for certain currencies. If this is the case, you will be notified and provided with instructions.
Step 5: Wait for Approval
After submitting your documents, Wise will review them. The review process can take anywhere from a few minutes to a couple of days. You will receive an email notification once your verification is complete. If there are any issues, Wise will provide guidance on what to do next.
Additional Verification
If you need to resolve any issues or are required to undergo further verification, you can reach out to Wise's customer support for assistance. Support contact information is always available within the Wise app and on their website.
How Does Verification Work?
Wise typically verifies your identity with a combination of photo ID, proof of address, and/or a picture of you holding your ID. The verification process can vary based on the amount and type of transaction. For larger amounts, such as 80,000 GBP or more, additional documents may be required to prove the source of funds.
What Types of Documents Does Wise Accept?
Photo ID: Accepted forms include a passport photo page, a national ID card (most recent Nigerian version), and a photo driver's license (except for New Zealand residents sending NZD).
Proof of Address: Valid forms include utility bills (gas, electric, landline phone), a bank or credit card statement, a council tax bill, an HMRC notification, a vehicle registration or tax, and a photo driving license showing your address and expiry date. Government or financial institution-issued documents are also accepted.
Timeline for Verification
Once you have initiated the verification process and provided the necessary documents, Wise will review them within 2-3 working days. Upon successful verification, your account will resume its functionality, and you will receive an email notification.
For a business account, additional verification steps may include submitting business-related documents as well. This ensures compliance with financial regulations and aids in protecting business assets.
Conclusion
Verifying your Wise account is a crucial step to ensure that your transactions are secure and that your account functions optimally. Following the steps outlined in this guide can help you understand and complete the verification process smoothly.