What is ID.me? One Day, You Might Need to Know.

If a friend asked you, what is ID.me?, would you be able to answer? You really should, because they—and you—might one day need to open an ID.me account. It would also help to know what it’s about, why it’s important, and, most of all, why you can trust it.

Sure, you can tell them to go online to find out more (just like you can go online to see what ID.me is about—yes, its top-level domain (TLD) is “.me,” and it’s as safe as other TLDs, such as .com and .gov). But a quick read of this article will tell you what you need to know about it, so you’ll be ready for the day you might need it… and so you’ll be able to answer your friend’s questions.

What is ID.me? Here are the simplest answers and the top-level few points to know:

ID.me is a secure, private identity verification service that helps you establish and present “digital identification proof” that you are who you say you are.
Think of it as a digital ID card for many websites or services on the internet.
Unless you’re directed to open an ID.me account by a special organization to access their services, you likely won’t be opening an account soon.

You’ll only need it when you need it.

In other words, unlike elective digital services like VPNs or password managers, ID.me and its secure digital ID verification, while available to anyone, won’t do you much good until you need it. That is, until an organization that has partnered with ID.me and its secure digital network for digital ID verification services requires you to have it.

Several government organizations, including the Social Security Administration, require you to use ID.me or Login.gov to access their online services.
To reduce fraud, many U.S. states now require residents to use ID.me to verify their identity before applying for and receiving state benefits, including unemployment benefits.
To make it even more “worthwhile” for subscribers, some retailers have partnered with ID.me not for secure digital logins, but to offer benefits to a special segment of the population who not only have a secure digital ID but are also deemed deserving of a special discount or perks: Veterans, first responders, teachers, and others.

However, don’t be surprised if that happens sooner rather than later, since hundreds of organizations have turned to ID.me for its secure services. That’s good news for you, for them. Here’s a look at who that is, so if a friend asks you, “What would I possibly need it for?” you’ll know how to answer.

What ID.me is primarily for.

These are the top personal circumstances that could require a person to open an ID.me account.

They need to apply for state or federal services. The IRS is a prime example of an agency that requires individuals to verify their identity through ID.me. Many states, to reduce fraud, also require citizens to verify their identity and create an account on before they can receive state benefits, such as unemployment.
Veterans must use it to verify their eligibility for VA benefits, often including access to health care, disability claims, and more. Moreover, ID.me provides veterans with exclusive discounts on shopping, travel, and more, offered to those who served.
Medical professionals must sometimes verify their credentials. This may also apply to patients in select cases. By verifying their identities through ID.me, doctors and patients can access highly restricted and regulated services and data.
Special categories of workers receive exclusive discounts through their ID.me accounts. Nearly all of us appreciate the work that teachers, first responders, and others do for our community and the responsibilities that come with it. For that reason, many retailers, as well as automotive and electronics brands, offer special pricing for those who serve their communities. To qualify for these exclusive perks, employees can visit ID.me to verify their position. Once verified, they simply enter their ID.me account number when prompted by a participating retailer to receive the discount or benefit. The list of qualifying occupations includes firefighters, police officers, paramedics, EMTs, and more.

Three more key things to know about ID.me.

So now you know that ID.me is an established and accepted way for someone to verify their personal identity or their specialized career. Here are a few key points to know as well.

ID.me is not a government agency. It is a private company that has many contracts with government agencies across the U.S. That raises concerns for some people, but ID.me does not share or sell data.
You control your ID.me account. No one other than you can establish an account in your name. Also, there are multiple ways for users to verify their identity with ID.me. These ways include online, via smartphones, and in person.
Your ID.me wallet is the key to verification and convenience. At the heart of your account is your ID.me wallet, a digital vault for storing information that verifies your identity or key credentials. When a website asks you to verify your identity with ID.me, simply enter your ID.me account number, and the verification is completed immediately and digitally.

Proven, secure ID verification.

There’s an old expression that says you can never get enough of a good thing. In essence, that’s been the story behind ID.me. During the pandemic, when citizens overwhelmed state unemployment benefit requests and claims, fraud was rampant due to fake applications. That’s when many government agencies began turning to ID.me for reliable, foolproof identity verification and secure digital networks and processes to streamline operations.

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