Transforming Login: The Power of the ID.me Digital Identity Wallet
As the digital economy expands, the need to prove one’s identity online is becoming more critical than ever. Legacy identity verification methods, however, place unnecessary burdens on users, forcing them to manage multiple passwords, repeatedly provide ID, and fill out time-consuming forms. For those without a presence in authoritative records, this process can be particularly challenging. Algorithm-only solutions powered by credit bureaus and data brokers often fail to verify these individuals, who are disproportionately low-income.
At ID.me, we’re transforming identity verification into a login problem—eliminating unnecessary steps and ensuring users can securely verify their identity one time, with ease. The ID.me Identity Wallet, with over 130 million users, allows individuals to store their verified digital identity and use it across any organization that accepts ID.me. This enables the 62 million Americans in our pre-verified1 network to safely sign in and repeatedly confirm their identity in under 60 seconds; in essence, a digital fast lane. Verified users gain access at 17 federal agencies, 40 state government agencies, and 66 healthcare organizations.
For users who need to verify their identity for the first time, ID.me offers three pathways to meet their diverse needs:
- Self-Service: The quickest option for users to securely prove their digital identity online.
- Video Chat: For users who do not have a presence in authoritative records or cannot verify using Self-Service, our secure Video Chat option allows for remote identity proofing. This method closes about 75% of the digital divide created by credit bureaus and data brokers.
- In-Person Verification: Available at 670 retail locations, this option caters to users with limited internet access or those who prefer help with the process.
Most users prove their identity through the ID.me digital fast lane
Over half of ID.me users are using the ID.me digital fast lane to prove their identity by simply signing in and providing consent, enabling streamlined access to benefits and services. Since Q2 2023, the pre-verified rate has grown 33%, reaching 56% of all subscriptions in Q2 2024. Of the 11.1 million new subscriptions issued in Q2 2024, 6.1 million were pre-verified subscriptions, allowing users to access or renew their relationship with an agency simply by signing in and providing consent. Users who are part of our pre-verified network can access services at a rate of over 99%, with verification taking less than a minute.
For users without a presence in authoritative records, ID.me’s Video Chat Pathway offers a secure alternative. This method has helped 10.1 million users verify their identity and access critical services, closing approximately 75% of the digital divide created by credit bureaus and data brokers.
The pass rate for users in the lowest income zip codes when using automated-only solutions is only 32%. Credit bureaus and data brokers struggle to verify users without a presence in authoritative records or an accurate credit history, disproportionately preventing lower-income demographics from accessing services and benefits. With our Video Chat pathway, the overall pass rate for these users increases by 153%, reaching 81%. Users who verify via Video Chat have the same high 99%+ pass rate when using their portable credential as users who verify via Self-Service.
Users verifying for the first time see outstanding service
ID.me understands that different users have different needs and preferences when verifying their identity for the first time. That’s why we offer three distinct pathways: Self-Service, Video Chat, and In-Person Verification. In Q2 2024, 4.8 million users were issued an IAL2 credential, with approximately 93% experiencing wait times of less than five minutes. ID.me maintained this high level of service amid peak volume due to users verifying their identity for tax-related activities.
At ID.me, we are excited to move closer to a future where managing multiple passwords and logins is a thing of the past. With the benefits offered by a portable, reusable digital identity stored in the ID.me Identity Wallet, ID.me is creating pathways for more Americans to verify their identities and enjoy seamless, secure access to services. ID.me remains committed to our ambition that No Identity is Left Behind.
- Includes individuals who are verified at the Department of Commerce’s National Institute of of Standards and Technology (NIST) Identity Assurance Level 2 (IAL2) and Levels of Assurance 3 (LOA3)
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