Getting to know you

The electronic identification process is carried out using a Credit Reference Agency who checks your details against other databases. This is not a credit search and will only record the fact that we have carried out an ID check. If electronic identification is unsuccessful, we will ask you to provide us documentary proof of your identity and permanent address as detailed in section 2.

To support the electronic identification process we also require one form of documentary evidence from the list below.

When an investment account is opened by post, it must be opened by a personal cheque from your account in the UK. The details must match those of the account you are opening. When opening a joint account, the cheque may be drawn on an account in the name of one of the account holders.

Should the electronic identification process not provide sufficient evidence to verify your identity and permanent address you will be required to provide additional documentary evidence.

To do this we need to see one document from each of the two lists shown below, if you call in person at any of our branches or agencies. If you make a postal application we will need to see one document to confirm your identity and two to confirm your address.

We will need to see the originals of the documents, except if they are sent to us by post. In this case we will accept a black and white, certified photocopy of the document you are providing to confirm your identity.

Please note we do not accept photocopies of documents to confirm your address, we will need to see originals.

Certified copies must be clearly legible and must show the printed name, address and profession of a UK lawyer, banker, authorised financial intermediary, accountant, teacher, doctor or post master/sub-post master. Copy must be signed by the individual against the wording ‘certified to be a true copy of the original document’. Please note documents cannot be certified by a family member

When children open a savings account they are also required to provide proof of identity, age and address. We are unable to carry out electronic identification for children and therefore one document from each list detailed below must be provided to verify a child’s identity. Accounts opened by a customer under the age of 18 will need to associate it with their parent or guardian. The relevant adult will need to provide identification as noted in Sections 1 and 2.

* This document can be used to verify either a person’s name or address, but not both
** These documents must be dated in the past 3 months

If you already have an account with the Society, and the details we have about you have not changed, then you may not be required to confirm your identity. For clarification, please ask your local branch or contact our Member Services Team on 01582 765411.

We appreciate that some people may not be able to provide any of the documents listed. If this is the case then please don’t worry, there may be an alternative way to confirm your identity. Please contact your local branch or call our Member Services Team T: 01582 765411 E: enquiries@harpendenbs.co.uk

In order to protect your account(s) against fraud and identity theft we may, in certain situations, ask you to re-confirm your identity when a change is made to your account. Examples include change of address, change of name or the re-activation of a dormant or inactive account.

The Society takes the protection of your personal information seriously, particularly when this include identification information. The Society will therefore securely process the information that you provide to us to prove your identity.

If you would like to know how the Society protects your personal information, details are provided on our Privacy Notice on our website at: harpendenbs.co.uk/privacy-notice alternatively a PDF version can be requested by contacting us on 01582 765411.

If you are opening a non-personal account, such as a business, charity or club, we will require proof of identity and address for each named party to the account. We will follow the same process as detailed in points 1–5, but in addition we will also require one of the documents detailed below, to allow us to verify the organisation.

* These documents must be dated in the past 12 months
** These documents must be dated in the past 3 months

We appreciate that your account with us is a savings account and may not have regular transactions going through it.  However, in order to help us protect your account from fraud or identity theft we may ask you after a period of inactivity to provide us with some form of identification so that we can be sure we are dealing only with you.