Protecting Yourself from Age Verification Fraud

Age verification plays an important role in keeping people safe, both online and offline. Whether buying alcohol,
gambling, or accessing age‑restricted services, businesses must ensure individuals are old enough.

As more services move online, digital age verification is increasingly common. Legitimate services may ask you to
upload a photo of your ID, confirm your identity through your bank, or complete a one‑off check with an approved third party.

However, criminals have recognised how familiar these checks have become—and are exploiting this trust. Fraudsters are creating convincing websites that appear to be legitimate age‑verification portals but are designed to steal personal information.

If criminals obtain your documents, they may commit identity theft, apply for credit in your name, access financial accounts, or sell your details on the dark web. Many victims are unaware until the information has already been misused.

Red Flags

• Being redirected to a verification page unexpectedly—especially where it isn’t normally required—is a warning sign.
• Genuine services usually request minimal information. Be cautious if you’re asked for your National Insurance number, full bank details, or multiple documents.
• Legitimate services should clearly display:
  • Company name
  • Registered address
  • Privacy policy
  • Contact details
  • Missing or vague information is a red flag.
• Fake sites often use web addresses that closely resemble real brands but include spelling errors, extra characters, or unusual domain endings.
• Trusted UK services will reference GDPR compliance or recognised certification standards—fraudulent sites often do not.

How to Stay Safe

If you’re unsure whether a request is genuine, go directly to the official website rather than clicking on links.

If you believe you’ve encountered or shared information with a fraudulent site, report it to:

• Report Fraud (to report scams)
• Your bank (if financial details were shared)
• The organisation being
  impersonated

Reporting quickly can help limit any potential damage.

Other useful articles can be found in our Counter Fraud Newsletters on the Publications page.