How AI Is Revolutionising Identity Verification in 2025

Fraud has become the most common crime in the UK, with 1 in every 5 businesses reporting identity fraud. The UK fraud prevention service, Cifas, estimates that identity fraud costed £1.8 billion in 2023, with over 237,000 cases reported.

With the rise in remote work, virtual hiring and global collaboration, identity verification now sits at the heart of trust, compliance, and growth. But wait! Do you think in this era of deepfakes and AI, only checking identities manually is enough? You need a better and advanced option to check if the identity provided is real. This is where smart ID verification comes in, where cutting-edge Face Recognition technology does a lot of the heavy lifting, confirming that a person’s face really matches the ID they have provided.

In this blog, we have tried to break down how artificial intelligence makes it all work and why these matters for your business.

Why Identity Verification Matters Now More Than Ever

Let’s get to the stats straight. Did you know that 249,417 identity fraud complaints were filed with the NFD in 2024, up by 11,735 from 2023? It is therefore one of the most dominating types of fraud in the UK.

Identity check is central to:

• Preventing fraud and impersonation
• Meeting compliance standards (like KYC, AML, and privacy laws)
• Fast-tracking onboarding for employees and customers
• Building trust with stakeholders

Traditional or manual ID checks meant checking government IDs, utility bills, or references. This method was slow, prone to error and even risky if done on a larger scale. But today it’s all about speed, accuracy, and security, and that’s where AI steps into identity verification, using the “Face Verification” technique.

How Face Match Technology Works

Let’s understand each technology involved in the new AI-powered Identity Verification method:

Face Detection

In this step, the AI detects the face in the selfie or on the ID document that has been uploaded or captured. Think of it as the technology that says, “Hey, there’s a face here!” but doesn’t really care who it is.

ID Document Analysis

The AI doesn’t just detect the ID uploaded, but it also reads and decodes text, checks logos and security elements, and validates whether it’s authentic. If you’ve ever worried about fake IDs, this is where they get caught.

Face Recognition

After the AI detects the face on the document or in the selfie, it starts recognising it by comparing it with its whole database of other faces (known as a 1:N or “one-to-many” search). This is when the system creates a biometric template of the person, which is essentially a digital version of their facial features. And then it scans through the database to find a match for it.

Liveness Check

There is a high chance that a candidate might hold a photo or a video in front of the camera, while taking the selfie. What’s the fix? The AI, of course. It analyses micro moments of the candidate, like eye blinks, or asks to perform simple and random actions, like turning head left/right etc. This ensures the person is real and not just flashing a photo or a deepfake.

Face Verification

Face verification works on a one-to-one (1:1) match technique, which is also known as face matching. When the person uploads the ID and a selfie, the AI ensures that the individual is really the person who they claim to be by matching the face against the ID provided. It works in combination with Liveness check.

How AI Powers Identity Checks in Real Life

Integrating AI-powered identity verification into your current verification method might seem to be a complicated process, but it doesn’t have to be like that.

Tools like Complygate’s Identity Verification System offer a seamless way to embed AI-driven face verification and face recognition into your existing workflow. Here’s what makes it stand out:

• Fast and accurate biometric checks: AI compares facial features in milliseconds, thus, minimising delays and maximising accuracy.
• Comprehensive identity check: Verify faces against documents like passports, driving licenses, and other government IDs.
• Liveness detection: Advanced algorithms confirm the person is physically present and not a video or a deepfake.
• Cross-system compatibility: Whether you are an Android or an iOS user, the face verification process is smooth and secure.
• Face search capabilities: Search across internal or shared databases for known fraudsters or repeat offenders.

Whether you’re in HR, finance, retail, or logistics, identity verification automation doesn’t just save time but also reduces risk, builds trust, and ensures that only the right people gain access to your platform, network, or facility.

The Benefits: Beyond Just Security

Face verification using AI is not just about chasing fraudsters. It helps businesses create value and build trust among their customers. Here’s why it’s beneficial:

• Faster, Frictionless Hiring: Remember the time you had to conduct ID checks on video calls, just to see if the candidate’s face matches their IDs? With face verification techniques, recruiters can instantly perform identity checks, accelerating time-to-hire and saving on manual admin.
• Improved Employee Experience: Identity verification through face match is a simple yet effective method to enhance the employee experience. It is a hassle-free and secure method to verify identity, even for remote candidates.
• Cost Savings: Automating routine identity verification tasks reduces administrative costs and eliminates human error, thereby freeing HR teams to focus on people, not paperwork.
• Enhanced Security and Fraud Prevention: With AI-enabled Identity Verification techniques, recruiters can now spot fake IDs, impostors, and suspicious activity within seconds and without any hassle.
• Compliance Made Easy: With such a robust identity verification system, organisations can always stay a step ahead with KYC/AML compliance requirements. Therefore, you never have to worry about those hefty fines or reputational damage.
• Analytics and Insights: Every identity check generates actionable data which helps refine hiring processes, understanding user behaviors, and spotting trends early.

Common Questions About Face Recognition Technology

1. How accurate is the AI-powered Face Recognition Technology?
   The best Face Recognition algorithms deliver accuracy above 99.5%, rivalling fingerprints and iris scans. Modern systems work across skin tones, genders, and ages without bias.
2. Is my data safe during and after the process?
   Reputable service providers encrypt and securely store all your biometric data, deleting records when no longer needed. Vetted vendors are GDPR- and privacy-law compliant.
3. Can someone trick Face Verification with a photo or video?
   This is almost impossible with today's technology. Its liveness detection and AI make it extremely resistant to spoofing and deepfake attacks.
4. Does it work remotely?
   Absolutely! Face Verification performs well in distant environments, making it ideal for remote teams, worldwide hiring, and enterprises with virtual workforces.

AI is no longer a futuristic concept; it is the current solution to one of the oldest commercial challenges: determining who you're working with.

With AI certifying that faces match IDs, organisations can eliminate second-guessing, cut fraud, and create systems that are not just smarter but also more human.

If you want to explore how AI identity verification fits into your workflow, talk to our experts for a tailored solution.