Monday, March 18, 2024

B.C. launches faster way to verify virtual BC Services Card app

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The B.C. government has announced a faster way for residents in the province to verify themselves on the virtual BC Services Card app.

As a result of more people accessing the virtual platform during the COVID-19 pandemic, the app, which requires a Services B.C. representative to verify individuals’ identity, was experiencing high wait times for its video call feature.

See also: B.C. launches FREE 24/7 mental health counselling service for all post-secondary students

“Our new Send Video feature within the mobile BC Services Card gives people the choices and tools they need to connect with government supports and services quickly, safely and securely,” said Anne Kang, Minister of Citizen’s Services, in a statement on Tuesday.

This new feature allows B.C. residents to send a photo or short video of themselves while signing up for the virtual Services card by using the Send Video feature within the app from their iPhone, iPad, Android phone or tablet.

Within a few hours, a Service BC representative can then use that information to verify the person’s identity and activate their virtual card through the app.

(Send video feature/BC Gov News)

For now, British Columbians can use this virtual app to pay bills, access health care information, access their Canada Revenue Agency account, and manage StudentAid applications. The province is working to bring more services online through the online card.

According to Minister Kang, B.C. is the first jurisdiction in North America to be able to verify people’s identity using an online platform through an app.

The BC Services Card Verify by Video service was launched in June 2019 and allowed people to have their identity verified for the purposes of using their Services Card mobile app by video calling a Service B.C. rep.

Now, residents have the option of calling or using the new “Send Video” feature.

Thus far, around 125,000 people have set up a mobile services card.

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Brishti Basu
Former Senior Staff Writer and Content Manager at Victoria Buzz.

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