Research from Credas Technologies suggests digital identity verification is becoming significantly more efficient as estate agents, conveyancers and property firms face growing pressure to strengthen anti-fraud and compliance processes.
Analysis of millions of identity checks carried out between 2023 and 2026 found pass rates have increased from 86.1% to 89.3% year-to-date in 2026, while the number of cases requiring manual review has fallen sharply.
Referral rates, where checks need additional human intervention, have dropped from 9.1% in 2023 to between 3% and 4% annually, representing a reduction of more than half.
The data points to a growing reliance on automated digital verification across property and legal services as firms seek to reduce onboarding delays while maintaining compliance standards.
IDENTITY FRAUD
The findings come amid continued concern around identity fraud in the UK. According to the latest Fraudscape report, identity fraud now accounts for 54% of all recorded fraud cases.
Credas says the latest figures show digital verification technology is becoming more accurate and decisive, helping businesses reduce operational friction without weakening fraud prevention measures.
The research also found passports and driving licences continue to dominate the onboarding process, accounting for around 99% of all documents submitted for digital verification.
For estate agents and conveyancers, faster onboarding and fewer manual checks could become increasingly important as compliance demands continue to increase under anti-money laundering regulations and wider property sector reforms.
PERSISTENT THREAT
Rhian Del-Valle, Director of Enterprise Partnerships at Credas, says: “The drop in manual referrals from 9.1% to 3-4% represents a significant shift in how digital verification performs. Manual reviews create delays and operational overhead, so seeing referrals fall by more than half whilst pass rates improve demonstrates real progress in the technology.
“It shows you can reduce friction without compromising on fraud detection – which is essential when identity fraud remains such a persistent threat.”
The figures also highlight the growing role of PropTech and digital compliance tools across the home-moving process, particularly as agencies and legal firms continue investing in automation, client onboarding and fraud prevention systems.
