While using Data Zoo IDU Web Portal or IDU API services, you may have noticed both safeHarbour and safeHarbourScore being returned.


What is Safe Harbour?

As part of many AML / CTF regulations and legislation, a Safe Harbour procedure is required for ID verification. The procedure involves verifying the individual against two independent data sources to reach a high confidence that the person is who they claim they are. 


API

The following is a JSON response example. As you can see on Line 7, the safeHarbour parameter is returned with a 'false' value which indicates that Safe Harbour has not been achieved. 




The Safe Harbour Matching Score (i.e.. "safeHarbourScore") is determined when the following conditions are met:


  1. When performing a search, a minimum of 2 data sources must be used to create what is known as Composite Query.
  2. Besides the primary search, the identity must clear the Watchlist check.
  3. The individual Safe Harbour Scores of each data source will also determine whether the safeHarbour is true or false:
  • 2 or more data sources return a Safe Harbour Matching Score of M1 or
  • 1 data source returns a Safe Harbour Matching Score of M1 AND 1 data source returns a Safe Harbour Matching Score of M2 or
  • 1 data source returns a Safe Harbour Matching Score of M1 AND 1 data source returns a Safe Harbour Matching Score of N1 or
  • 1 data source returns a Safe Harbour Matching Score of M2 AND 1 data source returns a Safe Harbour Matching Score of N1.


M1 = Match on full name, address and DOB

M2 = Match on full name and DOB

N1 = Match on full name and address

None = No match


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