Identity Verification (IDV) — Proving Your Users Are Who They Claim to Be
Why IDV Matters
Identity verification is the gateway to Method’s platform. Before Method will discover a user’s accounts, retrieve their credit data, or process payments on their behalf, the user must prove they are who they claim to be. It’s a fundamental fraud prevention and compliance requirement that protects both your users and your platform. For your product, IDV is typically the first meaningful interaction a user has after signing up. The verification experience directly impacts your onboarding conversion rate: a smooth, fast verification flow keeps users engaged, while a clunky or confusing one creates drop-off. Choosing the right verification approach is one of the most impactful product decisions you’ll make in your Method integration.The Two-Step Process
IDV consists of two sequential steps, each serving a distinct purpose:Phone Verification
Confirms that the user controls the phone number associated with their identity. This is the “something you have” factor, it proves the person filling out your form actually possesses the phone number they provided.Phone verification must be completed before identity verification can begin.