TOKYO –
Japanese banks and securities firms are moving to stop using facial photographs from driver’s licenses to verify customers opening accounts online, following a series of personal information leaks that have raised concerns about fraudulent account applications.
Until now, customers opening accounts online have typically been required to photograph their driver’s license and take a picture of their own face, allowing financial institutions to compare the two images and confirm their identity.
However, this verification method will be prohibited from April 2027 under new rules requiring identity checks through the reading of IC chips embedded in My Number cards or driver’s licenses.
The transition is now being accelerated following a series of personal data leaks since September, including incidents involving images of driver’s licenses, prompting financial institutions to strengthen their safeguards against identity fraud.
Mizuho Bank discontinued the use of driver’s license facial photographs for online account verification on October 19th, ahead of the regulatory deadline.
Aozora Bank has also decided to end the practice on October 28th, joining the growing number of financial institutions adopting more secure identity verification methods.
The changes are intended to prevent criminals from using stolen personal information and identification images to open fraudulent bank and securities accounts, as Japan’s financial sector prepares for tighter identity verification requirements next year.
Source: TBS
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