Bonsai collaborates with Stripe to conduct online identity verification. Stripe develops technology used by millions of companies worldwide, including Amazon, Google, and Zoom. They assist with everything from accepting payments to managing subscriptions and verifying identities.
Stripe helps Bonsai confirm your identity by conducting the following checks:
Document Verification: Stripe captures images of the front and back of your government-issued photo ID and reviews them to ensure authenticity. Their automated identity verification technology analyzes patterns to determine if the ID document is genuine, similar to how a bank teller checks your ID.
Facial Recognition: Stripe captures photos of your face to confirm that the photo ID belongs to you. Their technology uses distinctive physiological characteristics (known as biometric identifiers) to match your facial photos with the photo on your ID. This process resembles a bank teller verifying that the photo on your ID matches your appearance, but it's more advanced and accurate.
Information Validation: Stripe collects your name, date of birth, and government ID number, then validates this information against a global set of databases to confirm its existence.
Stripe will ask for your consent before collecting and using your information. They will only use your verification data in accordance with the permissions you grant prior to starting the verification process and in line with their Privacy Policy.
Note: More information regarding Stripe's identity policies can be found in their FAQ here.
What are the best practices for a successful verification?
We recommend adding these best practices before a user starts the verification process so they know what to expect.
Before starting the verification process, here’s what you need:
A valid government-issued photo ID document. Not a photocopy or a picture of an ID document. Ensure that the ID document is not expired.
A device with a camera, if possible, use a mobile device. Cameras on mobile devices typically take higher-quality photos than a webcam.
The quality of the images captured affects success rates dramatically. Below are a few best practices to help ensure that your verification succeeds:
Capture a clear image. Make sure that the images are not too dark or bright, and don’t have a glare. Hold steady and allow your camera to focus to avoid blurry photos.
Do not block any part of your ID document in the image. Ideally, you can lay it flat to take the photo.
Do not block any part of your face. Remove sunglasses, masks, or other accessories.
Find a location with ambient lighting. Avoid spaces with strong overhead lights that cast a shadow on your face or ID document. Avoid sitting directly in front of a bright light which can wash out your face and add a glare to your ID document.
Why am I asked to verify my identity?
At Bonsai, we take KYC seriously and we want to make sure fully verified users are able to get the benefits of faster payouts. Also, if you have enabled a Bonsai business account, you will need to verify your identity in order to fully activate your account.
Currently, getting verified via Stripe Identity is the only way to get yourself verified. We are always looking at other opportunities to verify your identity, but have no alternative at this time.
Who has access to my verification data?
Both Bonsai and Stripe will have access to the information that you submit through the verification flow. We rely on Stripe to help store your verification data. Stripe uses access controls and security standards that are at least as stringent as those used to handle their own KYC and payments compliance data.
Learn more about how Stripe handles and stores your data.
How can I provide an alternative verification method?
Stripe Identity may not be able to verify all of our users. For example, some users might decline to be verified using biometric technology, they might attempt to verify with an unsupported document type, or they might not be covered by Identity’s verification checks.
Note: If you are having problems with verifying your identity, please reach out to our support team at support@hellobonsai.com
How can I delete my data permanently from Stripe?
As the information is controlled and stored by Stripe and their individual servers, you must contact Stripe Support to make this request. More information about how to do this can be found on Stripe's website here.
We use Stripe for identity document verification. Stripe retains a copy of all the data provided as part of verification. You may also have consented to allow Stripe to use your data to improve their technology. You can delete your information from Stripe’s servers or revoke your consent by visiting https://support.stripe.com.