The checks we perform at Novelist are designed to protect you from identity theft and prevent the misuse of our services. These checks are largely legally required. Below is an overview of the key checks we carry out:
1. Identification with Passport or ID Card
We verify the validity and completeness of your passport or identity card to identify you as the account holder. Novelist only accepts photos of passports and identity cards that meet the following criteria:
- The document is valid and not expired.
- The photo is in color.
- The text is clearly readable.
- All corners of the document are visible.
- The document is unedited.
- No other objects are visible in the image.
- The document is well-lit, with no reflections on the photo.
2. Selfie
We take a selfie to validate that you are indeed the person who owns the identification document.
3. Lost or Stolen Passports
We conduct a check on a public registry that tracks whether identification documents have been reported as lost or stolen. This allows us to confirm that your ID does not appear in this registry and can be safely used.
4. Politically Exposed Persons and Sanctions
We check whether you appear on (international) lists of individuals who are subject to sanctions or are registered as politically exposed persons (PEPs). This check helps us comply with international regulations and prevent our services from being misused.