Unable to Scan the CCCD for Biometric Verification, What Now?

From July 1st, 2024, all banks and payment intermediaries are required to implement a unified policy for individual customers when transactions exceed VND 10 million or the total daily transactions exceed VND 20 million. This includes verifying biometric signs (facial recognition) of the person performing the transaction, ensuring it matches the account holder’s facial data in the national database or their electronic ID card (e-ID) with an electronic chip issued by the Ministry of Public Security.

Additionally, before an individual customer can use Mobile Banking for the first time or before performing a transaction on a different device than the one used for the most recent Mobile Banking transaction, mandatory biometric authentication is required.

Banks, e-wallets, and users are currently racing to update their biometric data in compliance with Decision 2345/QD-NHNN. According to the guidelines, users can proactively register their biometric data on their smartphones in three steps: taking photos of the front and back of their e-ID with a chip; scanning the Near-Field Communication (NFC) chip on the e-ID; and scanning their face and verifying their one-time password (OTP).

While most people find this process simple and quick, some have encountered difficulties, especially when scanning the NFC chip on their e-ID through banking apps. This is due to either a lack of NFC support on their phones or issues with the scanning function, affecting both Android and iOS devices.

The State Bank of Vietnam has issued a directive providing specific guidance on biometric authentication for users with phones that do not support NFC when performing transactions that require such authentication.

For customers with a chip-enabled e-ID but using a phone without NFC support, biometric authentication can be achieved through electronic identity account verification created by the electronic identification and authentication system (banks need to integrate Internet Banking and Mobile Banking applications with this system to provide this service). Alternatively, a match can be confirmed between the customer’s biometric data and the data stored in the biometric database, which can be done at a bank branch through a device or phone that reads the e-ID with a chip.

Thus, in cases where customers have a chip-enabled e-ID but use a phone without NFC support or experience issues with NFC scanning, they can visit a bank branch for assistance. Customers only need to update their biometric information once at the bank.

Biometric authentication using NFC technology employs magnetic induction to connect devices (smartphones, tablets, etc.) to e-IDs with chips to transfer data for personal identification and verification based on facial biometrics. This technology is considered to have the highest level of security and protection for customers when performing financial transactions, minimizing the possibility of fraud.

For optimal results, customers should ensure their e-ID is placed correctly on the NFC chip. This may require multiple attempts, and customers can refer to the user guide for assistance. Additionally, thick phone cases or those made of metal can interfere with data reading from the e-ID.

Most smartphone brands, including iPhone, Samsung, OPPO, Xiaomi, Sony, Huawei, Nokia, OnePlus, Asus, Acer, BlackBerry, Google, HTC, LG, and Motorola, support NFC. Here is a list of smartphones with NFC support, according to The Gioi Di Dong website.

– iPhone

All iPhone models from the iPhone 6 and later have NFC support, including: iPhone 6/6s, iPhone 6s/6s Plus, iPhone 7/7 Plus, iPhone 7s/7s Plus, iPhone 8/8Plus, iPhone 8s/8s Plus, iPhone SE, iPhone X/Xs, Xs Max, iPhone XR, iPhone 11, iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Pro, iPhone 12 Pro Max, and more.

– Android Phones