What is Know Your Customer (KYC)?
If you have built an A2P communications solution, you will be familiar with Know Your Customer (KYC) data. Originating from the banking industry, KYC is essentially customer information that is required to identify and verify an individual or business is who they say they are and commonly consists of name, address, and date of birth for Individuals and company name, registered address, business verification documents, etc for businesses. Over the past decade, carriers and regulators around the world have been working hard to create a more trusted and verified messaging and voice ecosystem for businesses to engage with consumers to protect consumers from spam, fraud, and bad actors.
The first step the global communications industry is taking to protect consumers is requiring businesses and organizations to submit their KYC information and become verified by the local authorities before they can begin texting or calling their customers. Currently, not all countries require KYC information, but as the communications industry evolves it is becoming more common.
KYC Requirements in the United Kingdom
Given the rise in scam and fraud over the last few years, the UK regulator issued updated Know Your Customer (KYC) guidelines.
These new requirements will be put in place to protect consumers from fraud, spam, and bad actors by requiring businesses to submit and verify their businesses.
Here are the timelines to note:
Starting May 27, 2024all new Long Codes purchases will require an approved Regulatory Compliance (RC) bundle before buying.
Starting July 30, 2024SMS Sent from International Long Codes to the UK Will Be Blocked.
Starting January 1, 2025all new and existing UK long codes must be connected to an approved UK RC bundle to be able to send messages or make voice calls.
This regulation is only applicable for the UK Long Codes which include local, national, mobile, and toll-free phone numbers.
What KYC information will be required for businesses in the UK?
Individual: Local or National
| Information Required | Documentation Required | Acceptable DocumentationOne of the following |
|---|---|---|
| Name | Proof of Identity | Government-issued IDPassport |
| UK AddressMust be a valid United Kingdom address. | Proof Of Address | Government-issued ID showing local addressUtility billTax noticeRent receiptTitle deed |
| UK Emergency Address(if different from the address provided above)Must be a valid United Kingdom address. | No documentation required | |
| Date of Birth | No documentation required | |
| Phone NumberThis must be a valid mobile number only where the customer can be reached. This cannot be a number which you've acquired from a CPaaS provider. | No documentation required | |
| No documentation required | ||
| Comments (optional) | No documentation required |
Individual: Mobile or Toll Free
| Information Required | Documentation Required | Acceptable DocumentationOne of the following |
|---|---|---|
| Name | Proof Of Identity | Government-issued IDPassport |
| AddressMust be a valid address. May be anywhere in the world. | No documentation Required | |
| Emergency Address(If different from the address provided above)Must be a valid address. May be anywhere in the world. | No documentation Required | |
| Date of Birth | No documentation required | |
| Phone NumberThis must be a valid mobile number only where the customer can be reached. This cannot be a number which you've acquired from a CPaaS provider. | No documentation required | |
| No documentation required | ||
| Comments (optional) | No documentation required |
Business: Local or National
| Information Required | Required Documentation | Acceptable Documentation |
|---|---|---|
| Business Name | Proof of Identity(Documentation is required for businesses not using a UK Companies House Registration Number) | Excerpt from the commercial register |
| Registration Authority | Proof of Identity(Documentation i |