“We just need to finish confirming your identity. Get your photo ID (like a passport or driver’s licence), open the app and follow the instructions. It should only take a few minutes!”
I don’t believe that under the terms of their banking licence, Monzo are allowed to discriminate against those that do not possess photo ID.
Thoughts?!
Thoughts?..erm…“Rubbish”
They have to prove your Id due to money laundering and anti terror legislation. It’s perfectly legit and a normal method. If you don’t have this just ask if they will take anything else, I’m sure they’ll try and help
Don’t see why not. People who don’t have photo ID aren’t legally protected, any more than a club not letting you in with trainers.
Also banks are under some obligation to check - most banks seem to use your credit history so it seems like they’re not doing anything but if you don’t have that (eg. New to the country) you’ll find they do similar things like ask for passports.
You think that any individual can be denied a bank account under BoE and FOS rules because they don’t have a passport or a driving licence. You don’t know much, do you?!
Yes they can
Basic bank accounts were created precisely because lots of people couldn’t get regular ones for these reasons. Monzo doesn’t (yet) offer one of those.
This https://www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk/blog/how-to-beat-id-issues-when-opening-a-bank-account/amp
Where there is a branch structure and there are methods to verify other documents on a face to face basis that is true, but online banks are restricted in the number of documents they can use to verify people as they can not be inspected closely but just over video link which does not enable certain security features to be checked. Some individuals may be electronically verified but for others they have to check ID. Anyone can wave a bit of paper but only photo ID can tie up with an individual. Also even if you do not travel or do not drive, you are not prevented from applying for a passport or a provisional driving license, which can then be used for ID. Compliance with new laws against illegal residency in the UK may require banks to check nationality or residency visas so passports can be requested for that.
I think you’ll find that neither the BoE and the FOS will allow Monzo to discriminate against those who are elderly, transgender, etc. by demanding photo ID. However, I’ll wait for Monzo to elucidate their thoughts on the matter, rather than believe in a fanboi pontificating an opinion.
No, they can’t, ‘basic’ bank accounts do not rely on whether the applicant has the ability to produce photographic ID.
LOL
I’d suggest you do even a smidgen of research on @anon44204028 and then revisit that statement.
You think Monzo is allowed to discriminate under the terms of a UK Banking Licence? Oh, for the lulz!!
Age and Gender Reassignment are protected characteristics, under The Equality Act 2010. As yet, photo ID is not.
Monzo, as a business, requires photo ID for the purposes of verifying identity. I presume as it does not have physical branches where other forms of ID may be examined.
We had this conversation in the community a few months ago.
Your reply is excellent in the context of this thread’s topic, and I’m almost sorry to pick on this one point of it, but:
Both of these cost money to acquire which will prevent many people from acquiring them as they cannot afford the outlay. So people on low wages, or people trying to get themselves out of a bad situation.
Agreed. I think the UK Government should bring the costs of these documents down, but unfortunately they just decided to put up the cost of passports yet again 
You’re so wrong…
The Government, the Bank of England and the Financial Ombudsmen Service require Monzo to recognise the following:
• Utility bill (gas, electric, satellite television, landline phone bill) issued within the last three months
• Original birth certificate (UK birth certificate issued within 12 months of the date of birth in full form including those issued by UK authorities overseas such as Embassies High Commissions and HM Forces)
• Local authority council tax bill for the current council tax year
• EEA member state identity card (which can also be used as evidence of address if it carries this)
• Current UK driving licence (but only if not used for the name evidence)
• Current UK or EEA photocard driving licence
• Bank, Building Society or Credit Union statement or passbook dated within the last three months
• Full old-style driving licence
• Original mortgage statement from a recognised lender issued for the last full year
• Photographic registration cards for self-employed individuals in the construction industry -CIS4 Solicitors letter within the last three months confirming recent house purchase or land registry confirmation of address
• Benefit book or original notification letter from Benefits Agency
• Council or housing association rent card or tenancy agreement for the current year
• Firearms or shotgun certificate
• Benefit book or original notification letter from Benefits Agency (but not if used as proof of name)
• Residence permit issued by the Home Office to EEA nationals on sight of own country passport
• HMRC self-assessment letters or tax demand dated within the current financial year
National identity card bearing a photograph of the applicant Electoral Register entry
• NHS Medical card or letter of confirmation from GP’s practice of registration with the surgery
In future, I suggest you talk about what you know, not just what you want to think you should pontificate on.
How is requiring photographic ID discriminatory practice?!
It’s put in place to aid the modern approach to KYC (know your customer) as a means of proving you are who you say you are.
If a company were to use the photographic ID to bar the person from service because of eye colour, hair colour or gender, based upon the ID or otherwise then yes that would be discriminatory. However, it’s actually an automated process of matching your ID against a short video.
How is my 94-year-old Ma supposed to comply?
If you read the link I posted it ways the banks can interpret the ID rules as they wish but they should accept those. Should, not must. It’s not a traditional physical bank so how would that work? They need to see you and the documents. Be a lot more expensive for me to fly to London then get photo ID
Oh, you missed out A Blockbuster Video membership card from your list!