Summary: ID.me is an identification solution provider that helps people easily prove their identity to access advanced online services. However, as they deal in identity proofing and personal data, the big question is whether ID.me can be trusted. The short answer is Yes. ID.me provides secure identity proofing, authentication, and group affiliation verification for government and businesses across sectors. It enjoys positive ratings across various review sites, indicating that most customers are generally satisfied with its services.
ID.me is an online network of identity verification. They aim to simplify how people securely prove and share their identity online, providing authenticated ID across numerous systems. ID.me is charged to such an extent that the US government and IRS have employed them to prove identities on their behalf. Due to the nature of its business, ID.me is held to high standards to ensure data is protected.
Before receiving its current name, ID.me was known as TroopSwap and Troop ID, rebranding to ID.me in 2013. But is this company really to be trusted? Is it worth it, or just a waste of time? Keep reading to find out.
Table of Contents
- ID.me Company Information
- What is ID.me?
- Is ID.me safe or a scam?
- Is ID.me reliable and trustworthy?
- Pros and Cons
- How does ID.me make money?
- Best Alternatives to ID.me
- FAQs
ID.me Company Information
| Official Website: | https://www.id.me/ |
| Headquarters Location: | McLean, Virginia, United States |
| Founded: | 2010 |
| Founder: | Blake Hall and Matt Thompson |
| Industry: | Identity Verification Network |
| Contact | help@id.me, https://help.id.me/hc/en-us/p/contact_support |
| Trust Score: | Average |
| Social media: | Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Reddit |
What is ID.me?
ID.me is an identity verification network that prides itself on simplifying the identity authentication process for individuals. ID.me is partnered with 27 states, multiple federal agencies, and over 500 brands, meaning they have an extensive reach across numerous different services. Through a customer’s account on the website or online app, individuals can prove their identity once, not having to repeat the authentication process for various services, as is the case typically.
Through its website, ID.me offers other service packages and products for businesses, governments, and individuals. For businesses, identity authentication can relate to different sectors: governments, healthcare, e-commerce, and financial services. For individuals, there are many different benefits available. These include access to government services, qualifying for group discounts, receiving multiple amazon deals, and amazon partnering with ID.me.
Within their shop, different types of identity verification can be purchased. These include an identity gateway, a single point of integration, multi-factor authentication for strengthening existing logins and rapid identity verification, and group verification of vaccine ID. ID.me provides secure identity proofing, authentication, and group affiliation verification for government and businesses across sectors.
Is ID.me safe or a scam?
Reviews
ID.me enjoys positive reviews across various review sites, with an average of 4.0 stars. Many satisfied customers noted that ID.me support was very helpful, responsive, and patient when they had issues with their accounts. Customer reviews spoke highly of the ID.me software, pricing, and implementation assistance. The company is BBB-accredited.
However, ID.me also has its fair share of negative reviews. While some dissatisfied customers complained that the ID.me website is not user-friendly and easy to navigate, others cited the extended waiting time to get their ID verified and having their documents rejected for no good reason, making it difficult to get their verification done on time and with ease.
Furthermore, biometric identification is disturbing to some customers, as the site requires facial and voice recognition as part of the verification process, which is very intrusive and problematic.
Customer Service
Although some users claimed ID.me customer service responded promptly to their issues and resolved them in good time, a good number of reviews had contrary opinions: They claimed ID.me customer service is challenging to get hold of, citing the lack of phone support and having to wait endlessly for response to their emails. Urgent issues, such as social security issues are, therefore, hard to resolve. In fact, some customers reported that it took nearly two months for the company to get back to them.
Is ID.me reliable and trustworthy?
Reputation
ID.me is accredited by the federal US government and approved as a NIST, National Institute of Standards and Technology. Their website states they are a “conformant credential service provider by the Kantara Initiative.” Many users have positive things to say about ID.me’s services. On TrustPilot, ID.me enjoys a 4.2/5 stars rating from 1,147 reviews, while on Sitejabber, the company has a 4.4/5 stars rating from 3,232 reviews.
Unlike many businesses that struggle with getting BBB-accredited, ID.me enjoys a B rating on BBB and is a BBB-accredited business. Similarly, BBB enjoys a 4.9/5 stars rating on Capterra, with many reviewers stating that their overall experience with ID.me was great.
Data Protection
ID.me takes information security very seriously, stating this clearly on its home page, with a link to “Your Privacy Bill of Rights.” This says that customers must provide explicit consent before ID.me can share any information. Once this is confirmed, they share this only with partners who use your data to verify your identity, preventing fraudulent uses and identity theft.
They explicitly state that ID.me “does not sell, lease, or trade Biometric Data to any third parties or derive any profit from the sale, lease, or trade of Biometric Data.” Furthermore, your account can be revoked, and the information destroyed at any time.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Many solutions available
- Easier to prove your identity, all consolidated in one place.
- The information doesn’t have to be proven more than once.
Cons:
- It takes time to set up.
- Issues with logging in due to tight security.
- Lousy customer service; challenging to talk to a human being.
How does ID.me make money?
ID.me makes money from its services and partnerships, and in 2021 alone, ID.me received $100M in venture funding. The service claims to have 39 million users, and the company’s estimated annual revenue is currently $297.6M annually. Covid-19 has only accelerated the need for this service, which is verifying identities online.
In addition, they are hired by companies, winning many contracts, to prove the identity of those using the services. These contracts often bring in large revenue for the business, particularly when federal agreements are involved —notably one with the U.S. Department of the Treasury.
Best Alternatives to ID.me
- Persona: Users can manage fully compliant KYC/AML programs, fight fraud, and automate operations all in one place.
- Berbix: Platforms leverage Berbix to verify age, fight chargebacks, enhance KYC, and deter marketplace fraud through instant ID checks.
- Google Authenticator: Generates safe passwords and verification codes.
- Lightico: Helps companies collect customer eSignatures, documents, and payments, and authenticate ID in real-time, and promises faster verification time.
FAQs
What is Biometric Data?
Biometric Data refers to a way to identify a person through specific characteristics. This includes fingerprints, facial recognition, voice recognition, and more. ID.me employs facial and vocal recognition in its services to create a more secure login to accounts. They use this data specifically to complete transactions, which helps prevent fraud.
Can I delete my personal information and Biometric Data?
Any customer can request to have their personal and biometric data deleted. ID.me can only decline the request if a transaction needs to be completed that requires the data or to ensure the security of your personal information. To delete your account, sign in, go to security settings, close the account, and then select the reason for wanting to close your account. If you wish to recreate your account, you must wait seven days.
How much does ID.me cost?
According to its website, ID.me is free for all members. There is no fee for using any features on the ID.me platform.
What do you need to make an account?
Creating an account can be done in three ways: online, virtual in-person, or in-person. To apply, you must have a document that can be verified, such as a driver’s license or state ID, match your face through a selfie and verify your account via your mobile phone. This allows for multi-factor authentication to accommodate all users and ensure your information is safe.