Blog
2. June 2020

Identification: Video Call or Photo ID?

Until now, if you wanted an account with neon you completed a short video call. With this process, we already took on a pioneering role in the national playing field, and that's exactly how we want to continue. We are now proud to be one of the first to offer you the opportunity to identify yourself with Photo-ID. Even faster, easier and more convenient.

Important: Photo-Ident is currently only possible with a Swiss ID

More IDs will follow.

Why you (maybe) want to do Photo-ID

What you do during Photo-ID

Photo-ID vs. Video call - how, when, where and what you need

Photo-ID vs. Video call – the step-by-step guide

FAQ

Why you (maybe) want to do Photo-ID


Because you can do it 24/7. Because it's faster (2-3 minutes compared to about 5 for the video call). Because you don't have to talk to anyone. Because you can do it from anywhere (that's actually true for the video call as well. But some people are a bit shy if their room is not tidy :-)) Or maybe just because you like to try innovative things.

What you do during Photo-ID

The goal is to make life easy for you. So all you do is take a picture of your ID and a selfie. Then you move your head to the left, then to the right. That way the software can tell if you're a real person.

You then set your login code and wait 2-3 working days for your contract number. (Sneak peek: If everything goes according to plan, this waiting time will soon be over and you can log in just a few minutes later!) As soon as the email arrives, you log in and make - important! - a transfer of evidence. The first transfer to your account must be from you. Specifically (not pacifically), from a Swiss account in your name. It can be only 1 CHF. But without it, your account is blocked. Other incoming payments will be returned.

Why? Because it's part of the identification. When you opened that other account you transfer money from you had to identify yourself. And we use that as another indication that you're real (catfishing is still out.)

Photo-ID vs. Video call - how, when, where and what you need

Video Call Photo-ID
Identity document

Passport or identity card from 80+ countries

B or C residence permit for non-Swiss Nationals

Swiss ID
Duration 5 – 6 minutes 2 – 3 minutes
Availability Mo – Sa, 7am – 22pm 24/7
Transfer of evidence Yes - meaning you already need to have a Swiss bank account in your name for the first transfer
Waiting time During peak times, variable waiting time for video agents

Photo-ID vs. Video call – the step-by-step guide

Start at square 1. Download the app and click on «Open account». First you enter your personal information and your address. Then you can enter a voucher code if you have friends at neon. Next come the legal questions. And then there are two possible paths. If your nationality is not one of those listed above, you’ll be automatically transferred to a video call. If you’re not, then we’re checking whether your address is verifiable. If it is, we will check how many people have already gone through Photo-ID today. Because it's new, we don't send everyone through here yet. If we still have free places, we will ask you if you can verify yourself with passport or ID. But you can also opt for the video call if you want to.


In the video call you talk to a real person who checks your documents. You also confirm again that you want to open an account with neon. This takes 5-6 minutes. Right after that, you can choose your login code in the app. Then you wait a few working days until the e-mail with your contract number arrives. (Sneak peek: this waiting time will soon be over!) This e-mail means your account is open and your neon-Mastercard is on the way. Log in and transfer a little money so you are ready to go when the card arrives.

With Photo-ID you take a photo of your ID and a selfie. This takes 2-3 minutes. Immediately after that you choose your login code in the app. Then you wait a few working days until the e-mail with your contract number arrives. (Sneak Peek: this waiting time will soon be over!) Your account is now provisionally open. Log in and transfer some money to your new neon account from a Swiss account in your name. As soon as the money arrives, we will activate your account and order your neon-Mastercard.

FAQ

Am I eligible for Photo-ID? What are the requirements?

In principle - all you need is a Swiss ID, your address has been verified and you have a Swiss account in your name. Initially we will limit the number of people that we let through Photo ID. Just in case unexpected bugs occur that we did not notice during testing. So it is possible that we will send you to the video call even though you meet all requirements.

I got automatically sent to the video call. Why?

This can have the following reasons: You have entered a nationality different to that listed above. We could not automatically verify your address. Or quite simply: we have already reached our quota today. At the beginning we limit the number of people for Photo-ID, in case there are still unexpected bugs.

What do you mean by address verification?

The Swiss post has an address database that we use to check. After moving, there are often delays and there are sometimes discrepancies with second names or other spellings. If the match is not 100%, we'll send you through to the video call.

When will you offer Photo-ID for other nationalities?

We’re continually adding new nationalities. However, we can’t say when exactly each specific nationality will be added. Why not try a video call? Our agents don’t bite!

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