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Why do I need to verify my identity on M1?

Learn more about our KYC verification process and what to expect.

Livie avatar
Written by Livie
Updated over 3 weeks ago

📑 In this article:

🔐 KYC Verification on M1: What it is and how it works

To comply with U.S. telecom regulations and industry standards, M1 now requires identity verification for some users. This process - commonly known as Know Your Customer (KYC) - is a legal requirement for telecom providers and financial institutions to confirm that their customers are who they say they are.

At M1, KYC helps prevent fraud and misuse of phone numbers, keeping the platform secure and trusted for everyone. It's a necessary step to protect your account and ensure M1 remains compliant and reliable.

🧾 What is KYC?

KYC stands for Know Your Customer. It’s a standard used in telecom and finance to verify user identities. It's designed to:

  • Stop scammers and bad actors from abusing telecom tools

  • Comply with FCC regulations

  • Keep the platform safe for legitimate users

⚖️ This is not just an M1 policy - it's a legal obligation set by the FCC. We're required to verify the identity of our users to help fight spam, fraud, and robocalls.

When will M1 ask me to verify my identity?

KYC verification is automatically triggered for all of our users. When you're required to verify, you'll receive a prompt directly in the app.

What is involved in the KYC process?

Your personal information is never shared with our team. You'll complete the identity verification directly through our secure partner, Persona - a trusted platform used by companies around the world, including LinkedIn, for ID verification.

The process takes just a few minutes and requires:

  • A valid government issued photo ID from the United States or Canada.

  • A selfie.

✅ Accepted IDs include:

  • Passport

  • Passport Card

  • Permanent Resident Card (Green Card)

  • State-issued Driver License

  • State-issued ID Card

🚫 IDs that are not accepted include:

  • Gun permits

  • Work IDs

  • Student cards

  • Any non-government-issued documents

🔒 Your personal data is fully encrypted and securely stored, in line with all applicable privacy and security laws.

M1 is also SOC 2 Type II certified, meaning our systems and processes have been independently audited to ensure they meet the highest standards for data security and privacy. Learn more here : Is M1 SOC 2 compliant?

What happens if I don't verify?

If you don't complete the verification process within a certain timeframe, your M1 account will be temporarily restricted:

  • You’ll be blocked from making calls or sending texts

  • However, you’ll still be able to receive calls and messages

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