It’s becoming more common for LinkedIn to ask some users to verify their identity by providing a form of ID. This is often prompted when LinkedIn detects suspicious activity that indicates the account may have been compromised or is being used in violation of their terms of service. While providing ID may seem intrusive, it’s a measure intended to protect users’ security and prevent misuse of the platform. In most cases, the request is legitimate and in the user’s best interest to complete.
Why Does LinkedIn Ask for ID Verification?
There are a few reasons LinkedIn may ask you to verify your identity with ID:
Suspicious Login Activity
If LinkedIn notices your account is being accessed from an unknown device or IP address, especially in an unusual geographical location, they may prompt ID verification to confirm it’s really you. This helps prevent your account from being hacked or accessed without your knowledge.
Reported Violations
If other users report your profile or activity as impersonation, spam, or other violations, LinkedIn may investigate by asking you to prove you are who your profile claims to be. Verifying helps them confirm you aren’t misrepresenting yourself.
Sudden Profile Changes
Drastic profile changes, like switching employers or locations overnight or altering your name, can trigger ID verification to make sure the adjustments are legitimate. Verifying identity protects against false updates.
Multiple Account Creation
Attempting to create multiple LinkedIn accounts under different email addresses can also lead them to request ID validation. This prevents duplicate accounts used in spamming or harassment. Providing your ID confirms you aren’t abusing their terms.
What Forms of ID Does LinkedIn Accept?
LinkedIn offers a few options for identity documentation you can provide:
Government-Issued Photo ID
A scanned copy or photo of your official government ID is the most commonly requested form of identity verification. This includes documents like:
- Driver’s license
- Passport
- National identity card
- Alien registration card/green card (for non-citizens)
The ID must clearly show your full name, photo, and any ID numbers.
Work Badge
For verification relating to your employment or industry affiliation, LinkedIn may allow an employee work badge or ID. This should include your name, company, title and photo.
Professional License
If your account is tied to your professional status, submitting a scanned copy of your license, like medical, legal or real estate certification, can serve as verification. Redact any confidential client or patient data first.
Utility Bill
A recent household utility bill demonstrating your name and address is another option LinkedIn can accept in some cases, showing you live where your profile states.
Any identifying documents should only be shared through LinkedIn’s secure verification process. Avoid emailing sensitive ID files.
How Does the ID Verification Process Work?
If LinkedIn requires ID for your account, you’ll receive an email notification explaining the request and how to complete it. The actual process involves:
1. Document Selection
Choose which form of ID document you want to provide from the options LinkedIn outlined. Make sure it’s an unexpired, authentic document showing your correct name and information.
2. Document Upload
Follow the instructions in the email to upload a scan or photo of your document through LinkedIn’s secure portal. Submit a clear, high-quality image ensuring text is legible.
3. Verification Review
LinkedIn will review your submitted documentation and verify its authenticity and match to your account details. This may take up to 24 hours.
4. Confirmation of Identity
Once your ID is approved, LinkedIn will confirm your identity is verified. Your account access restrictions will be removed. You’ll receive a confirmation email the process is complete.
What Happens if You Don’t Verify Your Identity?
Declining to complete ID verification when requested may result in restrictions or penalties to your account, such as:
Limited Account Access
You may be locked out of your account aside from very limited actions like email notifications until you provide identity documentation. This protects the platform.
Permanent Account Deletion
If you fail to comply with identity verification requests for an extended period, LinkedIn may permanently delete your account due to inability to confirm appropriate usage.
Legal Action
In cases of serious alleged violations or fraud, failing to validate ID when asked could result in LinkedIn pursuing legal action depending on circumstances. However, this would be a rarer outcome.
It’s advisable to promptly comply if LinkedIn requests identity verification to maintain full, uninterrupted access to your profile and the network.
Is the ID Request Secure and Confidential?
Some users understandably have concerns about privacy, data usage, and security when asked to provide personal identification. However, LinkedIn’s verification process is designed to be secure and confidential:
Encrypted Upload
Your ID documents are uploaded via an encrypted HTTPS secure portal that protects the data in transit. General email attachments are not used.
Confidential Review
LinkedIn has internal controls so only specific compliance staff can view submitted ID documents during the verification process. They are not visible to general employees.
Limited Data Access
The compliance team only accesses and reviews the minimum data required to authenticate your identity. Information is not used for other purposes.
Secure Data Storage
Uploads are stored on secure servers and deleted once the check is complete. LinkedIn only retains record the check occurred, not documents.
User Notification
You’ll receive notifications each time an ID verification check is initiated and completed for full transparency.
Following proper data protection protocols helps make LinkedIn’s ID verification safe and controlled.
Why Do Some Users Get Asked for ID While Others Don’t?
You may wonder why some LinkedIn members are prompted for identity verification while others never receive such requests. There are a few reasons why requests aren’t uniform:
Account Activity Differences
Accounts demonstrating more suspicious activity like sudden location changes or multiple fast logins naturally trigger more security checks like ID verification.
Varying Violation Flags
Accounts garnering more user reports for violations prompt verification requests, while profiles with fewer flags don’t require such checks.
Selective Random Sampling
LinkedIn may perform spot identity checks on some accounts even without specific suspicious triggers to proactively monitor for abuse.
Gradual Rollout
ID verification features may only enable for subsets of users during initial trials before expanding to all members.
In general, contributing valuable professional content, maintaining accurate profile data, and avoiding policy violations minimizes the chances LinkedIn will single out your account for mandatory identity validation. But occasional spot checks on even well-behaved accounts may occur.
Steps to Take if You’re Asked for ID Verification
Receiving a mandatory ID verification request from LinkedIn can be concerning but isn’t necessarily cause for alarm. To ensure the process goes smoothly:
Review the Request Carefully
Read the email from LinkedIn closely to understand exactly why verification was triggered and what specific ID documentation they require from you.
Provide a Valid Matching Document
Supply the proper ID form demonstrating the identifying details matching those on your account to avoid rejections that prolong the process.
Use the Official Upload Steps
Follow their secure upload methods as instructed rather than trying to email files for your safety.
Act Quickly to Restore Access
Completing identity verification promptly minimizes any access limitations on your profile. Delaying too long risks a blocked account.
Contact Support If Issues Arise
If you encounter difficulties with verification, reach out to LinkedIn’s support for assistance resolving the problem.
With cooperation and proper documentation, mandatory ID checks don’t have to be a major ordeal. They help keep the LinkedIn community trusted and protected.
Why You Should Not Photoshop a Fake ID
When asked by LinkedIn to verify your identity, you may consider altering an existing document or creating a fake ID altogether to bypass the check. However, this is illegal and very risky:
It’s Fraud
Fabricating government documents or ID constitutes fraud with potentially serious legal consequences if discovered.
Easily Detected
Faked and photoshopped IDs are often easy for LinkedIn’s system to detect and your submission will be rejected.
Banned Account
Attempting to pass fake documents can result in immediate permanent account deletion for Terms of Service (ToS) violations.
Difficult to Dispute
You’ll have little recourse against LinkedIn bans for deliberate deception and may even face criminal charges.
Damages Reputation
Beyond legal issues, being caught destroying your credibility and integrity risks your reputation.
Attempting to trick LinkedIn’s ID check with inauthentic docs can create way more problems than it solves. Just go through proper legal channels to verify.
What to Do If You Don’t Have the Requested ID Document
In some cases, users may not possess the specific form of photo ID LinkedIn requests for identity verification, presenting a challenge. You have a few options if you lack the required documentation:
Provide an Alternative Document
Contact LinkedIn support to ask if they’ll accept another valid government-issued document like a birth certificate, social security card, etc.
Use a Family Member’s ID
For household bills, a spouse or parents’ ID verifying the same address may potentially work if you explain why you lack personal ID.
Request a New Document
Start the application process for an official ID card or driver’s license to eventually use, if eligible. This may take weeks or months.
Close the Account
Without proper documentation, your only recourse may be allowing LinkedIn to close your account as you cannot confirm identity.
Consult Legal Counsel
In complex situations like immigration status complications blocking ID access, seeking qualified legal help may assist.
Lacking a requested identity document creates difficult scenarios requiring creative solutions or professional guidance to resolve.
Conclusion
Identity verification via official documentation is becoming a more prevalent feature for many major platforms like LinkedIn to enhance trust and security. While handing over ID seems invasive, in most cases it’s a legitimate and isolated request to protect your account and the community. If you receive notice, cooperate fully and quickly to avoid access limits or bans. Consider the request an inconvenience but not necessarily cause for concern. With billions of users, LinkedIn utilizes many tools to combat abuse, with ID confirmation being one important piece companies now employ within appropriate constraints.