Launched during the pandemic, the Post Office’s EasyID is a digital identity app that allows customers to prove who they are from the convenience of their smartphone. This makes is possible to collect parcels, purchase age restricted goods, and prove your identity and age for instance when opening a bank account or for entering venues.
The big plus is that everything is held on your smart phone and, in a world where people increasingly leave home without their wallet relying on their phone for tap and go payments, holding a digital way to prove your identity via your smartphone makes sense. For the Post Office, collecting parcels is the most common reason you might have to prove your identity – there’s nothing worse than going to collect a parcel and being rejected for not having ID on you forcing a second trip.
At the Post Office last year, over seven million items were collected from branches across the UK. In order to keep parcels safe and secure, proof of identity is required.
Our research showed parcel collection is the most common reason for needing to prove identity. With EasyID on their phone, shoppers can make sure their trip in branch is a breeze and ensure they don’t leave empty handed.
Elinor Hull, Identity Services Director, Post Office
The EasyID app is now an accepted form of ID at Post Office branches. It appears to be a skinned version of Yoti so you can also use it in 18,000 convenience stores and selected stores across the UK.
The EasyID card also allows you to show minimal details about yourself to prove your identity or age in person – you can:
Show your full name to:
- Collect a parcel (from your local Post Office and selected delivery companies)
- Prove identity with the least amount of personal data.
Show your full name and age to:
- Purchase lottery and age-restricted goods (excluding alcohol) from your local Post Office and selected convenience stores.
Show your ‘age over’ screen to:
- Purchase age-restricted goods (excluding alcohol)
- Access an age-restricted location
- Prove age with the least amount of personal data.
Show your date of birth to:
- Purchase age-restricted goods (excluding alcohol)
- Access an age-restricted location.
One Response
It’s a bad idea and you should never rely on your smartphone for anything. I have photo ID if needed. Leave home without your wallet at your own peril!