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Re-identifying yourself with your bank

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Banks are legally required to identify every new customer carefully. They must also periodically check that all personal data on record remains correct. If you have been a customer for some time, your bank may therefore ask you to identify yourself again using your current, valid identity document.

Person views the Dutch Payments Association's website about payments at the point-of-sale on a tablet lying on a desk with documents and a coffee mug.

The relevant legislation was tightened recently, which is why banks are now asking many customers to identify themselves again. In most cases, you can do this remotely using your bank’s secure mobile app or online banking. At larger banks, you may also be able to visit a branch with a valid identity document. Smaller banks often have no branches that customers can visit. Ask your own bank which options are available.

Beware of scammers

Unfortunately, scammers may use fraudulent calls or messages to trick you into identifying yourself on a fake website or to a fake bank employee who calls you or offers to visit your home.

A genuine bank will never visit your home for this purpose and will never ask you to click a link in a text message to identify yourself.

When you call your bank, it will ask for personal details to verify that you are who you say you are. When your bank calls you, it will never ask over the phone for your address, citizen service number (BSN), passport number, driving licence number or other confidential or sensitive personal data.

Are you unsure about a request from your bank to identify yourself? Contact your bank using an official public telephone number that you have looked up yourself, for example through online banking, mobile banking or a bank statement. If a message or call is fraudulent, much of the information in the message or provided by the caller may also be false.

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