We are pleased to provide an update to our October 26, 2023 notice regarding the end of the pandemic relief measures that permitted client verification by viewing government issued ID over a video call. The pandemic-era video verification method presented a high risk of identification fraud. It should have been used only when a better option was not available, and it should not be used in future.

This update deals with three matters: 1) a new deadline for the removal of pandemic measures; 2) a review of existing options used to verify ID, remotely and otherwise; and 3) technology options designed to verify ID remotely, which are helpful even in-person.