When you next list your property for sale or rent your REIWA agent may ask you to verify your ID documents online and may even request a photo as 'proof of liveness'.
These actions are part of REIWA's commitment to Verification of Identity (VOI) best practice, which will help prevent property fraud and protect your personal data when transacting property.
The VOI process will apply to the sale of residential, commercial and rural property, and businesses; management agreements for residential property; and commercial management and leasing agreements.
As part of the process, you will be sent a secure link where you can upload your ID documents, such as drivers' licence or passport, to a secure platform that will compare them with government records using a document verification service. This will confirm that your documents are legitimate.
You may also be asked to take a 'selfie' on your mobile phone and upload it. The platform will then use facial biometrics to do a 'liveness' check, confirming you are a real person and that someone is not using an AI-generated image or a copy of a photo or video of you to impersonate you.
If you do not have a mobile phone, or one that can take photos, your agent can take the picture for you. Your agent can also help you upload ID documents if you need assistance.
The secure platform will provide the agent with a brief report, confirming that you are who you say you are. Your ID documents will not be retained by the agency or agent, which protects your privacy and security.
If you have any questions about this process, please speak to your REIWA agent.
