Fake Wise Identity Verification Scam
Criminals send emails impersonating Wise's compliance team, claiming the victim's account has been suspended pending identity re-verification, and directing them to an external site that harvests passport details, selfies, and banking credentials.
Part of: Fake Suspended Account Appeal Scams
Last reviewed: 7 June 2026
Wise requires identity verification for all users as part of its regulatory obligations. Because users know this process is real, a fake re-verification request is highly credible — especially if the email explains that the victim's existing verification has expired or that new EU, UK, or US regulations require an updated check.
The phishing email mimics Wise's clean design, references the user's registered name, and includes a prominent 'Verify Now' button. The destination is an external site — not wise.com — that presents a step-by-step identity verification flow asking for a government-issued ID photograph, a selfie, and sometimes banking details for 'payment method verification'.
This type of attack is particularly damaging because the harvested information enables multiple types of identity fraud: the passport data and selfie can be used to open other financial accounts, the banking details enable direct fraud, and the Wise account itself may be taken over to process money through the victim's verified identity.
How this scam works on the Wise brand
Real Wise identity verification requests appear as notifications within the Wise app and direct users to the verification flow inside the app or at wise.com. Wise does not typically send standalone emails asking users to upload documents to third-party sites. Genuine re-verification prompts are visible in the app when you log in and are explained within the Wise Help Center.
Fake re-verification emails may appear technically sophisticated, including tracking pixels and personalisation based on the victim's email address. The verification site they link to may use technology from a legitimate identity-verification provider (whose branding is misused) to add credibility, or may simply mimic Wise's own in-app verification flow on a fraudulent domain.
After the victim submits their documents, they are typically told the review will take 24-48 hours and that they will receive a confirmation — a delay that gives the attackers time to use the harvested identity before the victim suspects anything is wrong.
Common red flags
- Email from an address other than @wise.com claiming your account requires re-verification
- A 'Verify Now' button linking to a domain that is not wise.com
- The site asks you to upload government ID or a selfie outside of the Wise app
- Request for your bank account number or card details as part of the identity check
- The email references 'new regulations' requiring urgent re-verification without specifying what regulation
- You cannot find any verification prompt when you log in to the Wise app independently
- The email was sent to an address you do not use for your Wise account
How to protect yourself
- Log in to the Wise app to check whether a real verification notice exists — do not use the email link
- Complete any identity verification only through the official Wise app or wise.com
- Verify the sender address is @wise.com before acting on any account-maintenance request
- Never upload passport photos or selfies to a page you reached from an email link
- Contact Wise via in-app chat to confirm whether a verification request is genuine
- Monitor your credit file for new account applications if you believe your ID documents were stolen
- Consider a credit freeze if you submitted documents to a fraudulent site
How to report it
- Report to Wise through in-app chat at wise.com/help
- Forward phishing emails to [email protected]
- Report identity theft to the FTC at identitytheft.gov (US) or Action Fraud at actionfraud.police.uk (UK)
- Submit the phishing URL to your national cybercrime unit
- If ID documents were submitted, file a report with local police for documentation purposes
Frequently asked questions
How does Wise normally request identity re-verification?
Wise displays a verification notice inside the app when re-verification is required and guides you through the process within the official Wise environment. Wise does not typically require you to upload documents to a third-party site reached from an email link.
What can criminals do with a passport photo and selfie?
Identity documents combined with a live selfie can be used to pass identity checks at other financial services, open bank accounts, apply for credit, and carry out serious fraud in the victim's name. Report to the identity-theft reporting service in your country immediately.
Does Wise ask for bank details during ID verification?
During account setup, Wise may verify payment methods, but it does not ask you to re-enter full bank account numbers through an external email link. Any such request is a strong indicator of fraud.