How Prop Firms Verify Identity and Payment Info
Prop firms verify your identity and payment details for one reason: fraud prevention. Too many traders try to open accounts under fake names, recycle evaluations, or route payouts to someone else. Firms lock payouts behind strict verification checks — and until you pass them, you won't see a dollar.
When Verification Happens
Most prop firms verify you at one of three stages:
- Before activating a funded account
- Before releasing your first payout
- After any suspicious behavior
If your documents don’t match your profile, everything gets frozen until you fix it.
The Documents Prop Firms Require
Prop firms usually ask for:
- Government-issued photo ID — driver’s license, ID card, or passport
- Proof of address — bank statement, utility bill, lease
- Selfie verification — you holding your ID to prevent stolen docs
Documents must be clear, unaltered, and unexpired. Any editing or cropping gets you flagged instantly.
Why Firms Need Proof of Address
Proof of address prevents:
- multiple accounts under the same household
- fraudulent payout routing
- location-based violations
Some countries are banned. Address checks enforce those restrictions.
Payment Verification: How It Works
Before releasing a payout, firms must verify the payment method belongs to you. They check:
- Name on your bank account
- Name on your ID
- Name on your prop firm profile
All three must match. If they don’t, you won’t get paid.
Crypto Payout Verification
Most firms support crypto withdrawals. They check:
- that the wallet belongs to you
- that you’re not routing funds for someone else
- that the address isn't linked to flagged accounts
Some firms require a screenshot of your wallet with your name visible.
How Firms Detect Suspicious Activity
Firms run backend checks during document review. They look for:
- multiple accounts with the same IP
- reused documents
- altered PDFs or images
- inconsistent birthdays or names
- VPN routing or country mismatch
If you trip one of these flags, everything shuts down until you clear it.
Verification Delays
Delays happen when:
- documents are blurry
- the address doesn't match your profile
- the name on your bank is different
- the firm needs enhanced review
Fixing the issue is usually simple, but ignoring verification requests will freeze payouts indefinitely.
Identity Verification vs Payment Verification
| Verification Type | Purpose | When It Happens |
|---|---|---|
| ID Verification | Confirm the account belongs to you | Funded activation or suspicious activity |
| Payment Verification | Ensure payouts go to the correct person | Before your first payout |
The two processes are independent but connected — fail either and your account gets locked.
Final Takeaway
Identity and payment verification protect prop firms from fraud, duplicate accounts, and stolen payouts. Keep your documents clean, consistent, and unedited, and your payouts will process smoothly. Try to cut corners and the firm will freeze everything instantly.