Everything that has ever been asked about MaxID …

MaxID
Frequently Asked Questions
How does MaxID differ from other ID Verification providers?
In order to comply with various verification of identity requirements, some ID verification providers might force people to attend a retail outlet during normal business hours and wait in a queue with paper forms. Others might require people to provide a 2 hour time window during normal business hours where a courier can attend and conduct an interview and take copies of sensitive identification documents. After all of this, they may take days to complete the verification of identity report and make it available. Seriously you might ask……it didn’t make sense to us either.

MaxID allows people to complete verification of identity at a time of the day or night, in any place that suits, 365 days a year. No queues, no waiting, no bookings, no inconvenience – just a simple and easy to follow process.

As a fully qualified Australian Law Practice we adopt the highest standards of privacy and confidentiality.

What are the acceptable forms of ID for the Person Being Identified ?
Most people are familiar with the old 100 points of ID and what it means, however the rules in relation to acceptable identification standards have moved on. In some cases 100 points of ID will be fine, but in others there are now quite specific regulatory provisions that detail which identification documents are acceptable and in what combination. There are also slight differences between the different States & Territories. The good news is that the MaxID system will intelligently guide users through what identification documents are required in their specific circumstances. The system is configured to process various information to establish a process for verification and the documentation required to verify an identity (including name changes).

In all cases the identity documents that are used as part of the identity verification must be originals rather than copies or certified copies.

The easiest way to satisfy the identification documentation requirements is with a Passport and Australian Driver’s license. However there are lots of different combinations of identity documents that may be used to satisfy the requirements from the following list:

a) Australian Passport (Note: acceptable if expired within the past 2 years);
b) Foreign Passport;
c) Australian Driver’s License;
d) Australian Photo Card;
e) Australian Government issued identity document;
f) Medicare Card;
g) Permanent Resident Immi Card;
h) Centrelink Card:
i) Department of Veterans Affairs Card;
j) Citizenship certificate;
k) Descent certificate;
l) Government issued photographic identity document;
m) Marriage or Change of Name certificate;
n) Australian Full Birth Certificate

Who can assist to verify my ID (Person Conducting Interview)?
If the Person Being Identified has been left with the choice to nominate someone to assist with the verification of their identity, the Person Conducting Interview (PCI) can be a partner, a friend, a work colleague or neighbour.

The intelligently designed MaxID system will guide the person through each step of the process with simple and easy to understand language and steps that shouldn’t take more than a few minutes to complete.

Just about any adult with a smartphone or a tablet that can access the internet and who is convenient for the Person Being Identified to meet can help with the process using the MaxID identity verification system, unless the requirements of your specific identity verification are otherwise.

Just in case you wanted the detailed legal answer the person assisting with the verification of identity (PCI) must be:

a) a natural person over 18 years old without legal incapacity;
b) in possession of a current Australian Passport or Drivers License;
c) a person without a criminal record (parking fines, speeding fines and non indictable offences are acceptable);
d) a person that is not a bankrupt or otherwise a person of disrepute;
e) be a person that is not a disqualified person as defined under section 6 of the Legal Profession Uniform Law (NSW) or any equivalent definition in any other state of Australia; and
f) a person otherwise acceptable to MaxID and/or any other Product or Service Provider who might receive the verification of identity report issued by MaxID.

Can I use the MaxID service to satisfy 100-point check requirements?
Absolutely – yes you can!

The MaxID identity verification process and systems are designed to meet and satisfy the requirements of the highest Australian standards for identity verification. The 100-point check is a lower standard of identification than the standard that MaxID services to. As a result, if an identity is verified to the standard set by MaxID then it will always meet the standard set for the 100-point check.

By using intelligent digital systems MaxID, as an Australian Law Practice, is able to issue a legally compliant identity verification report that will meet the highest regulatory standards required in Australia for mortgage applications, property transactions, bank account openings, superannuation, wealth management and just about any other product or service that requires an individual’s identity to be verified.

Does MaxID provide a certified statement endorsing a 'true copy' of each original identification document produced?
Absolutely – MaxID is an Australian Law Practice and is able to certify that the documents produced are true copies of an original. We provide a certificate endorsing the images of identification documents as true copies of the original when we are requested to do so (ie – in relation to property transactions and where legally certified 100-points of ID is required).

In other words if a person being identified provides an image of their drivers license and passport using the MaxID system and certification is requested, when MaxID issues an identity verification, the identity verification will contain copies of the original documents that are certified by a lawyer as true copies of the original.

What type of technology can people use?
The MaxID verification system involves a number of steps including the use of a remote computing device (ie – a smartphone or tablet) to receive via an internet browser images of identification documentation and the use of a second device to provide information relevant to an in-person, face-to-face meeting.

The system has been designed so that a device operating system does not impact upon the ability to use the system. A user with an Apple mobile phone or tablet device (IOS operating system) can use the system in the same way that a user with a Google/Samsung/Huawei/LG/Sony/Nokia/HTC device (Android operating system) can use it.

The system has been designed so that there is no need to download an ‘App’ from an App store anywhere and it shouldn’t matter which of the major browsers (ie – Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Explorer, Edge etc. etc.) is being used by the device.

As a result the MaxID system should allow the maximum possible number of users to access the system efficiently and easily.

Can I be in a remote regional area of Australia and use the MaxID service?
Yes you can!

The MaxID system can be used 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year anywhere where there in internet connectivity. This unrivaled service standard creates a significant step forward for everyone that either needs to rely on identity verification or needs to have their identity verified.

What information does MaxID collect ?
The MaxID system collects personal information, images of identification documents, government identifiers, images of the person being identified, biometric information as well as lots of other meta data including information about how, where and when the MaxID system is accessed and any other characteristics that MaxID may determine.

MaxID is an Australian Law Practice. It is subject to the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and the Australian Privacy Principles. All information collected by MaxID is subject to the MaxID Privacy Policy which can be found at www.maxid.com.au.

Is any training required to use the MaxID identity verification system ?
No – none at all.

MaxID has done all the hard work and created intelligent systems that can be used by anyone. Regardless of which of the different rules in different States and Territories of Australia are applicable.

The MaxID system uses the name data, documentation data and other data associated with the person being identified to establish the process for verification and the documentation required to verify the identity. The system then implements the process that it has determined, in order that the verification of identity may occur using remote computing devices associated with both the Person Being Identified (PBI) and the Person Conducting Interview (PCI).

What information is provided on the Certification of ID report prepared by MaxID?
That will depend on the circumstances of the instructions that are received by MaxID. Generally the report that is produced by MaxID to verify the identity of a person contains a certification of the identity verification, with wording and references that are prescribed under Australian law or regulation relevant for the purpose of the identity verification. The report will also contain the images of the identification documentation produced by the person being verified (endorsed as true copies of the original where required) and the person assisting the verification of identity. The report will contain an image of the person being identified.
Does MaxID use reliable and independent electronic data as part of identity verification?
That will depend on the circumstances of the instructions that are received by MaxID. When an individual provides personal details as they appear on an identity credential, the provided details may be checked against the issuing agency’s records or other independent and/or reliable sources of information such as databases provided by ASIC, the Australian Electoral Role and other up-to-date and accurate sources from insurance claims and tenancy files. Information is provided to MaxID enabling it to determine whether the requirements of the ‘safe harbour’ procedures have been satisfied (where MaxID has been instructed to perform electronic-based procedures). As a general rule the only non-government data source that MaxID might use are tenancy databases which require applicants to provide 100-Point ID assessment to verify identity and insurance claims databases.

Government issued documents that may be checked with the issuing agency while MaxID is performing an identity verification include:
– Driver’s Licence
– Australian Passports
– Australian visa’s issued against a foreign passport
– Medicare Cards
– Australian Citizenship Certificates
– ImmiCards
– Registration by Descent Certificates

Does MaxID search watch lists of sanctioned and politically exposed persons as part of identity verification?
That will depend on the circumstances of the instructions that are received by MaxID. Generally the answer will be yes. The watch lists that MaxID and its service providers search include Australian Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade, Canada Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions, Cyprus Members of Parliament, European Union Commission Consolidated List, United Kingdom Treasury Consolidated List, International Criminal Police Organization Wanted Persons, New Zealand Members of Parliament, Politically Exposed Persons (CIA), Russian Duma Deputies, US Immigration and Customs Enforcement Most Wanted, US Systems for Award Management Exclusions, US Treasury Office of Foreign Assets Control, US Treasury – Office of Foreign Assets Control Palestinian Legislative Council, UK Members of Parliament, United Nations Security Council Consolidated Sanctions List.
Does MaxID perform biometric facial matching ?
Yes we do!
Is MaxID an Australian Law Practice?
Yes, MaxID is an Australian Law Practice that is established and regulated in accordance with the Legal Profession Uniform Law (NSW) and also by the Law Society of NSW.
Is MaxID an "Approved" Identity Agent?
Yes – as a reputable and competent Australian Law Practice that holds the minimum level of insurance specified in the VOI Standards, MaxID is capable of providing Identity Agent services in accordance with the VOI Standards. It is a common misconception that the Australian Registrars National Electronic Conveyancing Council must ”approve” identity agents. That is not the case. ARNECC does not regulate or approve Identity Agents nor in any way assess their reputation or competence or approve the way they provide their services, including whether their services comply with the VOI Standards. see ARNECC’s website

As an Australian Law Practice that is established and regulated in accordance with the Legal Profession Uniform Law (NSW) and also by the Law Society of NSW, MaxID and it’s Legal Director are required to meet a high professional standard in the provision of its services. The Legal Director of MaxID has been admitted to practice law for 20 years and has held numerous legal positions including senior in-house Legal and Compliance positions within Australian and International regulated financial institutions.

Where is the data stored and how secure is it?
The solution used to collect, process and store information is hosted in an AWS environment which is ISO 27001(ISMS) certified, and the physical security mechanisms for that environment are reviewed by external audits during audits for SOC, PCI DSS, ISO 27001 and FedRAMP compliance.

All sensitive user transaction data at rest (XML) is stored in the solution’s database which is encrypted.

All sensitive user transaction data in transit is encrypted using TLS 1.2 or above and uses certificates signed with a SHA-256 hash algorithm.

Read access to the solution database is limited to a few highly privileged solution administrators.

How does MaxID verify the identity of the Person Being Identified?
That depends on the circumstances applicable to the identity verification, which may vary according to the purpose of the verification, the State or Territory that is relevant and other factors.

MaxID has independently confirmed that:

(a) by using the Max ID System, a MaxID’s client will be deemed to have taken reasonable steps to verify the identity of the person being identified under the ‘safe harbour’ provided by the VOI Property Provisions;
(b) use of the MaxID System will discharge a MaxID’s clients requirement to undertake AML VOI and will meet the ‘safe harbour’ procedure for medium or lower risk individuals under Rule 4.2.11 of the AML/CTF Rules.

Why should it be important to comply with 'Safe Harbour' identity verification requirements?
A ‘safe harbour’ is way of describing a presumption that is afforded to the person relying on the verification of identity. When a client of MaxID receives an identity certification report from MaxID, the certification report means that MaxID’s client is presumed to have used reasonable steps to conduct the verification of identity of the person being verified because the verification undertaken in adherence to the strict standards prescribed in various regulation and legislation.

Being able to demonstrate a presumption of compliance with relevant verification of identity regulations and legislation can be very important. For example, lawyers and conveyancers who cannot demonstrate that they have used reasonable steps to verify the identity of their conveyancing clients may be disallowed from being able to register property dealings with a registrar. Lenders or Mortgagees who cannot demonstrate that reasonable steps have been undertaken to verify the identity of borrowers may not be entitled to register property mortgages.

If you have any questions about how important it is to have the ability to rely on a ‘safe harbour’ verification of identity, please contact MaxID and we will provide you some more information that is relevant to your circumstances.

Who invented the MaxID identity verification system?
We are proud to say that the MaxID identity verification system was invented and developed entirely in Australia by MaxID and its associates.
Does the MaxID indentity verification system work for identification occuring outside Australia?
Yes – the MaxID system is configured to work in many offshore jurisdictions that require a face-to-face in-person verification of identity. Contact us us if you would like to learn more.