Unlocking the power of identity verification in BNPL

Did you know that 60% of consumers across the world said that they would prefer a BNPL (Buy Now, Pay Later) payment method over traditional credit cards due to ease of payments and lack of interest rates?

BNPL, a common payment method today, lets customers purchase goods and services and pay for them later in instalments. Remember the time you were short of cash while buying that refrigerator? BNPL solves this problem by letting consumers pay later in smaller, manageable amounts. This in turn makes products and services more accessible and convenient for people with limited credit and those who want to avoid high-interest rates.

The BNPL industry initially started off as an efficient way for consumers to pay for goods and services but has now evolved into an affordability tool helping people to manage their payments and finances better. A few years ago, BNPL was considered an option only for expensive, one-off items like cars. Today, BNPL is becoming increasingly popular in everyday purchases including groceries, clothes and bill payments.

As BNPL has gained popularity in recent years, so has the potential for fraud in deferred payment plans. In this, fraudsters use someone else’s identity to open a BNPL account or apply for credit under a false identity. The fraudster then uses the BNPL account or credit to make purchases or withdraw money, leaving the victim with the debt. In some cases, fraudsters may also use fake or stolen documents to apply for BNPL accounts, making it more difficult for lenders to detect fraud.

Technological advancements in AI and machine learning have today made it easier for financial institutions to reduce fraud while using a BNPL structure, and a comprehensive identity verification procedure is a key aspect of this. More on this in the following sections!

How does BNPL work?

BNPL (Buy Now Pay Later) is a type of payment system that lets customers purchase goods and services without paying for them upfront. Instead, consumers can pay in instalments over a specific period of time, generally without interest or fees. BNPL has become an increasingly popular payment option, especially among younger consumers who prefer not to pay the full cost of an item upfront. 

Most BNPL programs differ according to a company’s requirements, but typically consist of the following steps:

1. Customer selects the BNPL option at checkout

The customer selects the BNPL option at the checkout when making a purchase and provides their personal information to the BNPL provider.

2. Credit check and approval

The BNPL provider performs a credit check to determine if the customer is eligible for the payment plan. If approved, the customer can proceed with the purchase.

3. Payment plan

The customer pays for the purchase in instalments over a specified period of time, as agreed with the BNPL provider.

4. Repayment

Customers make repayments according to the terms agreed upon, which typically include the purchase amount, interest, and fees. The repayments can be made in instalments or as a lump sum, and they may be due on a weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly basis.

5. Fees and penalties

If the customer misses a payment or fails to repay the loan according to the payment plan, they may be charged late fees or penalties.

6. Payoffs

When all repayments have been made, the debt is considered paid off, and the customer’s credit score may be positively impacted. This can help the customer improve their credit standing and make it easier to obtain credit in the future.

In summary, BNPL is essentially a form of consumer credit that allows customers to pay for their purchases over time, rather than all at once.

How is identity verification important in BNPL?

Now that we’ve understood how BNPL works, let’s get into the main point of this article, identity verification in the BNPL sector. 

Today, consumers prefer BNPL as a convenient alternative to traditional credit card payments. BNPL transactions are unique because they involve customers making payments over time, rather than paying the full amount upfront. This creates an increased risk of fraud, as there is more time for a fraudster to impersonate someone else to make unauthorised purchases.

This has definitely led to a rise in BNPL usage, but with it comes a higher risk of fraud. In order to mitigate this risk and ensure secure transactions, identity verification has become an important aspect of the BNPL process. 

In BNPL transactions, identity verification helps prevent fraudulent activities such as identity theft, money laundering and unauthorised transactions. By verifying user identities, BNPL companies can confirm that the person using the service is the legitimate owner of the payment method, and prevent any unauthorised transactions from occurring.

Moreover, identity verification is also crucial for compliance with regulatory requirements, such as KYC (Know Your Customer) and AML (Anti-Money Laundering) laws, which are designed to prevent financial crime. These regulations require financial institutions to verify the identity of their customers to ensure that they are not engaging in any illegal activities such as terrorism financing or other illicit activities.

In short, identity verification in BNPL helps create a safer and more trustworthy environment for both the customers and the companies. By ensuring that the customers are who they claim to be, BNPL companies can reduce the risk of fraud, comply with regulations, and offer a more secure and reliable service to their customers.

What methods of identity verification can be used to verify BNPL user identities?

A digital method of identity verification can make customer onboarding easier and more secure for BNPL companies. Some commonly used methods (generally in combinations) to verify user identities are:

1. Digital ID verification

National IDs now exist in digital forms in many countries today. These national IDs can be verified against numerous databases to help organisations confirm the identity of their customers.

For this, the user has to first scan or upload identity documents to the digital platform, from which identity data can be extracted using softwares. This extracted data is compared to the current database. A combination of AI (Artificial Intelligence) and machine learning can easily identify if the document is tampered with, helping user authentication.

2. Biometric verification

Another safe method of digital identification is the use of biometrics, such as a person’s voice, face, or fingerprints, to confirm identities. Since each person’s biometrics are distinct, biometric verification is dependable and safe. By avoiding the hassle of having to remember numerous passwords, biometric authentication improves user experience as well.

3. Two-factor authentication

Due to the higher security it offers, two-factor authentication is another frequently employed method to prove identities. For this, the user has to first enter their login information. After this, users are required to provide an OTP (One-Time Password) that was either sent to their phones or email address in order to log in. this added layer of security ensures that the user data is protected from fraudsters even if their credentials are compromised.

4. Knowledge-based identification

Knowledge-based authentication verifies uses via information only they are aware of. These security questions are asked to users when they register on a platform, whose answers are used to verify idneitites. Knowledge-based security questions add an additional degree of protection when used together with passwords and biometric authentication.

5. Liveness detection

Using computer vision technology, liveness detection verifies that the subject of the camera is indeed there and alive, as opposed to being a video or a mask. When used along with facial recognition, liveness detection helps prevent spoofing, thereby reducing identity theft and fraud.

What are the benefits of digital identity verification in BNPL?

A strong identity platform plays an important role in protecting BNPL companies from fraudsters. Some key benefits of digital identity verification in BNPL services include: