Who this article is for: Business Portal (business.clevercards.com) and Online Shop (shop.clevercards.com) customers who need to verify their business, have been asked for more information, or are waiting for a decision.
Every business must be verified before it can send CleverCards. This check is called KYB (Know Your Business), and you may also see it called business verification or Stripe verification. You start verification in your Business Portal or Online Shop, which also shows your verification status. We’ll email you if more information is needed and when your account is active.
What is KYB and why do I need it?
KYB confirms who your business is, who owns and controls it, and that it’s eligible to use CleverCards. Stripe, our card-issuing partner, carries out this check as part of its regulatory obligations. Every business account is checked, whatever the size of the order, so being asked doesn’t mean anything is wrong with your business.
I’m an existing customer. Why do I need to verify?
We’ve moved to a new card-issuing partner, and every business needs to be verified, including customers who have been with us for many years. We’ve pre-filled as much of your information as we can, so filling in the form usually takes a few minutes. Most businesses are verified within a day of completing every step. It can take longer if more information is needed, or if a document can’t be accepted and needs to be uploaded again.
How do I start verification?
Log in to your Business Portal (business.clevercards.com) or the Online Shop (shop.clevercards.com). When your business hasn’t been verified yet, the Business Portal or Online Shop shows “Complete your business setup”. Select Start verification to begin. The steps you see depend on your business type and where it’s registered.
What do I need to verify my business?
Your company registration number. In Ireland, this is your CRO number from the Companies Registration Office. If your business isn’t registered with the CRO (for example, some partnerships and LLPs), you’ll need your tax reference number (TRN) instead. In the UK, this is your company number from Companies House.
Details of your directors and beneficial owners. Beneficial owners are the people who own or control 25% or more of the business.
ID for the person completing verification on behalf of the business (your authorised representative). You’ll usually also be asked for their proof of address.
Depending on your business type, you may be asked for additional documents. If you are, the request will tell you exactly what’s needed.
How long does verification take?
Most businesses are verified within a day of completing every step. It can take longer if more information is needed, or if a document can’t be accepted and needs to be uploaded again. We can’t fast-track an individual application. The best way to avoid delays is to complete every step and provide any further information requested as soon as you can.
What does my verification status mean?
Your Business Portal or Online Shop shows one of these messages:
“Complete your business setup”: you haven’t started verification yet. Select Start verification to begin.
“Your account is under review”: your details are being checked. You don’t need to do anything, and the page updates automatically when the review finishes.
“Additional information is required”: something further is needed from you, and you can’t send CleverCards until it’s provided. Select Complete verification to see what’s outstanding.
“Your account is active”: your business is verified and you can send CleverCards. We’ll also email you to confirm.
I’ve been asked for more information during verification. What do I do?
If more information is needed while your business is being verified, we’ll email you, and your Business Portal or Online Shop will show “Additional information is required”. You can’t send CleverCards until the information has been provided.
To provide what’s needed, select Complete verification in your Business Portal or Online Shop, or use the link in the email, which takes you to the same place. Please don’t reply to the email with your details or documents. Provide them through Complete verification instead.
Will I need to verify again?
You don’t need to verify for each new order. Occasionally, you may be asked to update or confirm your details, for example your beneficial owners. If this happens, we’ll email you and you’ll see a banner in your Business Portal or Online Shop. Your account stays active while the request is open, as long as you provide the information by the deadline shown.
My account is active, but I’ve been asked for more information. Why?
Occasionally, verified businesses are asked for updated or additional details, such as a director’s ID or proof of address. If this happens, we’ll email you, and you’ll see a banner in your Business Portal or Online Shop explaining what’s needed. Your account stays active while the request is open, and you can keep sending CleverCards.
Each request has a deadline, which is shown in the banner and the email. The deadline is usually 14 days from the date of the request. If the information isn’t provided by then, your account will be restricted, and features, including sending CleverCards, will be paused. Your Business Portal or Online Shop will then show “Additional information is required”. Select Complete verification to provide what’s needed. Sending resumes once the information has been provided and reviewed.
To avoid any interruption, follow the steps in the banner or email before the deadline. If you’re not sure what’s needed, contact us at support@clevercards.com or through live chat, Monday to Friday, 09:00–17:00 Irish time, excluding Irish public holidays, and we’ll help you through it.
My account has been under review for more than a day. What should I do?
Check your inbox, including your spam folder, for an email from CleverCards asking for more information.
Check whether your Business Portal or Online Shop shows “Additional information is required”. If it does, select Complete verification.
If your account still shows “Your account is under review” and there’s nothing to complete, contact us at support@clevercards.com or through live chat, Monday to Friday, 09:00–17:00 Irish time, excluding Irish public holidays, and we’ll look into it for you.
Can I get a refund if my business can’t be verified?
If you’ve paid for an order but your business can’t be verified, and you haven’t sent any CleverCards, you may be eligible for a refund. To ask for a refund, see Refunding unused funds in your Business Portal, or contact us at support@clevercards.com or through live chat, Monday to Friday, 09:00–17:00 Irish time, excluding Irish public holidays.