Identity Verified badge soon required for all earning freelancers

[Aldo C]

I have a question, I have my most recent ID that is my driver's license, but the picture doesn't look good, but it has the info you are asking in the front face (name, and day of birth), so would there be any problem if the picture doesn't look good (it looks a little squeezed)?

[Avery O]

Hi Aldo, 

You will have two tries upload your ID document for review. If it doesn't go through, you will automatically be routed for manual review. 

You may also wish to use another government-issued ID such as a passport if you feel like the driver's license may be rejected. 

[Mark W]

Hi Lena, thanks for the announcement

I dont have any of these documents:

• Driver’s license (I dont drive)
  
• Passport, green card, etc. (I live in Australia and only have and expired UK passport)
  
• National identity card (I dont have one of these)
  

Can you advise - thanks 

[Goran V]

Hi Mark,

One of our team members will reach out to you via ticket as soon as possible and assist you further on how to complete the verification process. Thank you.

[Karen B]

I think I did the video verification when I joined Upwork a year ago (I remember doing it with somebody).  Now, I have a different computer -- it's a Panasonic Toughbook, and there's no webcam.  And nowhere to install one.  So, this video thing will be a problem.

Government ID is no problem.  I have a Driver's License/REAL ID and also a passport (but the passport expires next month).  So I can either take a photo with phone and attach or scan and attach.

[Brian C]

I am not understanding what equipment I need in order to verify.  

I have gleaned from the articles that I need a webcam and mic for the video interview.  I will have to buy one.

What do I need to transmit my driver's license to you?  Do I just give you the number and you access it from the state, or is there some procedure like taking a picture?  I don't have a cell phone, but my wife does.

[Avery O]

Hi Brian, Karen, 

You may read more about how to complete the ID Verification process in this help article. 

If you do not have an available webcam and mic for the interview, you can initiate the chat, and let the team know so that they can share more information on how you can complete the video verification call. 

[Christopher H]

So how do people without webcams or microphones verify their account?

[Vladimir G]

Hi Christopher,

Thanks for reaching out. A video chat is required and in the scenario you mentioned a freelancer will need to have access to a device with a webcam, in order to complete the process. You can read more about the process and supported browsers for video verification in this Help article.

[Karen B]

So, in other words, Upwork is forcing everyone who doesn't have one to buy a new computer that either has a webcam or can support one.  Or buy a new phone.  (And I read the article and all it did was list programs or phones that support webcam -- it didn't say what to do if you didn't have any of them).

I know that for me (and I imagine hundreds of other Upwork freelancers) -- this simply isn't within our budget.  I envision a mass exodus of freelancers out of Upwork.    This is simply unethical!