Important Concepts ​

Some key concepts you should know...

The W2 API is built around a few simple concepts which, when brought together, provide powerful and flexible solutions.

Services ​

Ranging from checking against datasources such as global Sanctions list, Identity checking using credit reference agencies, document verification and many more.

Services are accessed through our API via Bundles.

Bundles ​

When you call the KYC Check endpoint you specify a bundle name. By collecting services in a Bundle, only one API call is then required to execute all services in that Bundle.

Bundles are configured by W2. This will be completed as part of the on-boarding process.

Typical bundle example ​

As an example, if you wanted to confirm an individual's identity and check that they are not on any Sanctions lists, the bundle might look like this:

This bundle example contains three services. The first one, IdCheckUkAlphaFull, checks various sources (Electoral Roll, credit lenders, etc.) to confirm an individual's identity. The next two services check the given name against a Sanctions list and a Politically Exposed Persons list.

To execute this bundle you would call the KYCCheck method on the API with the bundle name (KYC_ID_CHECK_EXAMPLE) and the required identity information (name, date of birth, address, etc.). The API will run through each service in sequence and return the results in one response. In the above example if the identity was good but the individual turns up in a PEP list you might get something like this:

The Response will also contain more detailed information about each result.

Bundle Workflows ​

Also known as 'Interpret and Halt' or 'Staged Search Manager'. As part of setting up a bundle W2 can configure settings that can 'Interpret' service level and bundle level results as well as 'Halting' the execution of a Bundle should a certain result be returned from an individual Service.

Bundle Result Interpretation ​

W2 can configure how the API will interpret the overall result for the whole bundle. For example, in the example bundle above, if the Alpha service returned a "Fail" result then the bundle's overall result would also be "Fail". The possible results for Bundle results are Pass, Fail or Inconclusive.

Bundle Halting ​

We can also configure the bundle to Halt after each service based on the result of that service. So for example you might decide that if Alpha returns a Fail (i.e. this identity is not valid) then there is no point checking the sanctions lists, so the bundle will stop there and not call the rest of the services in the bundle.

So in our example above let us assume that we have configured the following rules:

If we get the same results based on these results the service would return inconclusive

Sandbox ​

W2 provides an API Sandbox mode that allows developers to test bundles without fear of leaving a footprint or incur service charges.

The Sandbox consists of set of pre-defined test records for a range of test scenarios. You can find the Sandbox test data for each Service on their respective pages.

Sandbox is available in all environments.

To use our Sandbox add the "Sandbox" Query Option to your request with the value set to "true".

{
    "Bundle": "...",
    "Data": {
        "Forename": "..."
    },
    "Options": {
        "Sandbox": "true"
    },
    "ClientReference": "your-client-reference"
}

Two Plus Two Check ​

Our identity check services attempt to do a Two Plus Two check.

All this means is that we will attempt to match the name and address from one data source and the name and date of birth from another independent data source.

For example, if we can find the name and address on the Electoral Roll and the name and date of birth on a credit lenders record then that would be a Two Plus Two check. If we only found the information on the Electoral Roll then that would not be a Two Plus Two check as this only uses one data source.

Matching Thresholds ​

AML matches are scored using a custom W2 scoring algorithm. Matches that closely resemble your search terms will get a high score. While poor matches will be given a low score.

Threshold query options are available so you can set a minimum score that all your matches must pass. Setting a high threshold will mean your results are highly relevant but you may miss potential matches. Setting a low threshold ensures you don't miss any matches but you may receive more false positives. The thresholds you use depends on your risk appetite.

Name Matching Logic

W2 use a numbered scoring system for name matching.

• A score of 100 means that Alert Profile name matches exactly the Client record name.
• A score of 90 means that Alert Profile name contains Client record name in same order with no gaps.
• A score of 85 means that Alert Profile name contains Client record name in same order.
• A score of 80 means that Alert Profile name contains Client record name in any order.

Date of Birth Matching Logic

For Date of Birth matching a numbered scoring system 0-100 (100 being a total match) with a weighting towards Year of Birth and positive/negative depending on factors that match/mismatch is used:

• Year of Birth match is +60, Year of Birth mismatch is -60
• Month of Birth match is +20, Month of Birth mismatch is -20
• Day of Birth match is +20, Day of Birth mismatch is -20
• Missing information in any of the above fields is +/-0

When calling records using a score on either Name and/or Date of Birth only records matching that score or greater will be returned. In some cases the Date of Birth held within Sanctions records is not in a recognisable format, such as ‘circa 1960’ or ‘between 1965 and 1970’. In these, and other similar cases we treat the Date of Birth as missing for scoring purposes.

FAQs ​

1. What is a bundle?

A bundle is a collection of one or more services. All calls to the API go through a bundle. Each call can call only one bundle.

2. Does W2 provide international ID checks?

Yes. We provide ID checks across multiple jurisdictions, please ask your account manager/commercial contact for the most up to date list.

3. Will my service calls leave a Credit Lenders footprint or affect a credit rating?

It will be clearly indicated on each service documentation page whether the search will leave a footprint. However, as a general rule, if the service provider is a credit bureau then yes a foot print will be left.

4. What is a 2 plus 2 Check?

To confirm someone’s identity to meet JMLSG and UK regulator guidelines a verification known as a 2+2 is the expectation. This involved taking two pieces of information about the person and matching them against two different data sources.

Typically for the UK this would be name and address against one source (such as electoral register) and name and date of birth against another source (such as credit record). The data sources used and matching terms defined will differ from country to country depending on the service and data available.

Glossary ​

Contact Us ​

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