Establishing Power of Attorney can be complicated. To protect the security and privacy of our users' accounts, we need to abide by a strict and robust process. If you intend to establish power of attorney over a Chip account, please read this article in full and make sure you can meet the requirements before proceeding. The last thing we want is to waste your valuable time by beginning the process only to discover that you don't possess the required documents.
There are a few important things to bear in mind:
We can only give authority over existing Chip accounts. An account will need to be created in the donor's name if this hasn't already been done.
You'll need to link a current account via open banking. This account must be in the donor's name only.
A phone number can only be linked to one Chip account. To access the donor’s Chip account, you must use a mobile number that isn’t already associated with another account.
Verifying the Donor's Identity
The first step is to verify the identity of the donor. If the account is already open, we've likely already got everything we need for this.
When you sign up to Chip, we run an automatic Know Your Customer (KYC) check using the personal details you provide us with. If this KYC check passes, the account is opened and can be used as normal. If it fails, we will need some further information to verify your identity. If this happens, you'll see the following screen in the app:
If you see this screen, we will need the following:
A photograph (we do not accept scans) of a form of government-issued photographic ID. If the ID is a driving licence, we need to see the front and the back.
A valid form of proof of address from within the last three months, such as a bank statement or utility bill. We can accept digital forms of proof of address as long as you email the original PDF file to us - we can't accept a screenshot.
Acceptable forms of proof of address
Acceptable forms of proof of address
Utility bills: gas, electric, broadband or landline phone (no mobile phone bills) (photo/scan of a physical letter or PDF of statement)
A bank or credit card statement (photo of a physical letter or PDF of statement) - bank balance and transaction details may be blacked out
A council tax bill, or an HMRC notification
Vehicle registration or tax
UK photo driving licence showing current address and expiry date
NHS medical cards or a letter confirming registration with a GP practice
Any other UK government or UK financial institution-issued document
Please ensure that all four corners of the document are visible if taking a photo. Please note we do not accept scans or screenshots.
Verifying the Attorney's Identity
We will need to verify the identity of every attorney who needs to be named on the account.
To verify the identity of an attorney, we will need:
A photograph (we do not accept scans) of a form of government-issued photographic ID. If the ID is a driving licence, we need to see the front and the back.
A valid form of proof of address from within the last three months, such as a bank statement or utility bill. We can accept digital forms of proof of address as long as you email the original PDF file to us - we can't accept a screenshot.
A selfie. Please make sure this was taken within the last 24 hours and is completely unedited.
Please note that we will need the proof of address you supply us with to match what's registered on your LPA document. If your details are wrong on the document, we may not be able to proceed.
Verifying That You Have Power of Attorney
There are two methods for us to verify that you are a registered attorney.
Firstly, you can generate a digital power of attorney code. This option is significantly easier, faster and more secure as it allows us to view your registered PoA on the government's portal. You can register to generate the code for us here. The code will last for 30 days and you will be able to see when we used it, which we do here.
If you're unable to provide us with a code, you will instead need to send photos or scans of your paper PoA document to us. We will need to see every page of the document in order to proceed. In addition to this, we require you to complete and send us photos of or a scan of the form attached below.
What to do if you're a solicitor getting in touch
If you're a solicitor getting in touch, please note that Chip only accepts applications from individuals, meaning individuals from the firm must be selected who will act on behalf of the whole trust. This is implemented for enhanced security.
Instead of providing a selfie, ID and proof of address, please provide us with the following:
Law Society ID or the SRA (Solicitors Regulation Authority) number.
The digital power of attorney access code or photos or scans of the paper power of attorney document. We will need to see every page of the document in order to proceed. In addition to this, we require you to complete and send us photos of or a scan of the form attached below.
If the trust/firm is listed as the attorney, Chip requires you to select at least 2 individuals to act on behalf of the trust/firm, this allows for greater absence coverage.
Please note that by sending us this information, you will be agreeing to having your data/the donor's data processed in line with our Privacy Notice.
Contact Us
If you're able to provide everything outlined above, please reach out to us either using the live chat on our app and website or by emailing hello@getchip.uk.
Due to the time it takes for us to verify you and the documents you need to provide us with, please keep in mind that this process can be fairly slow to complete.