Thirdfort adds iProov biometrics to fight UK ID fraud

Thirdfort has integrated iProov’s Dynamic Liveness biometric technology into its client due diligence platform for legal and property transactions in the UK.

The move targets the growing threat of identity fraud in home buying and rental processes. It also reflects rising concern over the use of AI in criminal activity.

Thirdfort provides digital identity and compliance tools for more than 1,500 regulated firms. Its clients include law firms, estate agents and other professional services businesses involved in property deals.

iProov supplies biometric identity verification technology. Its Dynamic Liveness product checks that a person presenting an ID is a real individual who is present in real time.

The companies say the deployment focuses on high-value property transactions and rental checks. These are areas where fraud losses are significant.

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales has estimated that property fraud accounts for over £1.6 billion of the UK’s £2.3 billion annual fraud losses. The problem includes impersonation of sellers and buyers, as well as use of false or synthetic identities.

Identity checks in UK residential property deals often involve several professionals. These include lawyers, estate agents, accountants and letting agents.

Each organisation may run its own customer due diligence process. This can mean repeated ID checks for the same client at different stages of a transaction.

The duplication adds time and cost. It also creates more points of exposure where criminals can attempt to exploit weaknesses in verification.

Thirdfort offers a single platform that links identity verification with anti-money laundering and source of funds checks. The company positions this as an alternative to multiple separate systems.

The platform also includes politically exposed persons and sanctions screening, as well as checks on corporate entities. These features aim to support regulatory compliance across the transaction chain.

iProov’s Dynamic Liveness technology is embedded within Thirdfort’s digital identity app. Users authenticate themselves through a biometric process on a smartphone.

The liveness element focuses on whether a real human is present. It is designed to detect AI-generated deepfakes and other spoofing attempts.

The integration supports Thirdfort’s efforts to counter new fraud tactics. It also responds to growth in synthetic identities, which combine real and fabricated data.

Jack Bidgood, co-founder and Chief Product Officer of Thirdfort, said property transactions already place pressure on consumers.

“Whether buying or renting a home, the process is stressful enough - proving your identity shouldn't add to it. Our professional platform and consumer app are designed together to remove the friction and critical security vulnerabilities inherent in traditional property transaction identity checks. Using iProov's Dynamic Liveness enables us to deliver the necessary assurance and build trust within the ecosystem. Furthermore, the ability for clients to complete these vital ID checks quickly has become a key differentiating factor in an increasingly competitive marketplace,” said Bidgood.

Thirdfort says its users can now complete verification once and reuse it across the full property transaction or rental journey. This includes interactions with multiple professionals involved in a deal.

The company says the approach supports compliance with HM Land Registry’s Digital ID Standard. It also aims to align with anti-money laundering rules for regulated firms.

iProov describes the current environment as a contest between financial institutions and fraudsters using advanced technologies. The firm works with governments and banks in several markets.

Andrew Bud, founder and CEO of iProov, said the UK property sector faces rising risks from AI-based fraud.

“We are in an AI arms race against fraudsters. As in many parts of the world, the UK's property market is being endangered by AI-driven deepfakes and synthetic identities. By using iProov Dynamic Liveness, Thirdfort is a science-based defence proven to stop these sophisticated attacks, while providing its 1,500+ partners and millions of users speed and convenience alongside the high-assurance protection they deserve,” said Bud.

The launch comes amid debate about the role of a proposed UK government digital ID app in financial and property services. The government system would confirm that an identity is valid.

Thirdfort argues that regulated firms still need their own risk assessments and checks. These include reviews of source of funds and other legal obligations that go beyond identity proofing.

The company says this distinction explains demand for private sector platforms that combine identity, AML and transaction monitoring. It also reflects the liability that firms face under UK anti-money laundering legislation.

Thirdfort now supports hundreds of thousands of end users across roughly one million annual property transactions in the UK, as well as in the rental market. The company expects use of biometric verification during conveyancing and letting processes to expand as fraud methods evolve and as regulators focus more on digital standards.