When organizations face high volumes of identity checks, simple and secure verification becomes critical. Whether it is onboarding new workers, launching a product with verification needs, meeting compliance obligations, or strengthening fraud prevention in business, delays in the process can cause risk across the board. Slow or unreliable verification can stall operations, frustrate users, and open the door to fraud.
That kind of friction could add up to real costs: missed onboarding deadlines, compliance risks, and more users reaching out for support when the process breaks down—something Certn Canada, a global background screening company, knows all too well. That’s why they made the strategic move to offer an Interac Verified solution, Interac verification service as an option for users who don’t have ID or opt out of biometric verification.
And it’s already paying off.
We sat down with Byron Alvord, Head of Product at Certn, to talk about how the integration of Interac verification service is delivering smoother experiences and higher completion rates. Byron’s been in the background screening space since 2012. He’s watched identity verification evolve from passport scans to AI-powered biometrics and sees more transformation ahead.
The backup powering smarter business verification services
Certn’s goal is simple: offer the easiest background checks possible, without cutting corners on security or compliance. Their proprietary biometric verification solution takes care of the job for most applicants, but for users who don’t have ID handy or prefer not to use facial recognition, Interac verification service fills the gap. By logging in through their online banking with a participating financial institution1, users can verify their identity quickly and securely.
“Our goal is to have applicants complete their background check application process with ease. We are an extension of our clients and if individuals drop out of the process, our clients may be losing a quality candidate. That’s where Interac verification service helps, by reducing that drop-off and allowing users to continue through the process smoothly” says Byron.
Ease is one thing, confidence is another. And when identity is on the line, reputation makes all the difference. That winning combination is what led Certn to choose Interac in the first place and why the brand itself felt like a strong fit. Interac’s widespread familiarity and trust are backed by its standing as the most reputable financial services brand in Canada.2
“Interac is a widely known brand in Canada. Pretty much everyone’s familiar with it because they use it regularly,” Byron adds.
A digital verification solution that fits the flow
When Certn set out to add a fallback option for identity verification, the team knew the experience had to feel intuitive. Even a well-intentioned add-on could become a barrier if it interrupted the onboarding flow or forced users to jump through too many hoops.
That’s why ease of integration mattered just as much as functionality. Interac verification service could be layered into Certn’s existing process in a way that felt natural, prompting users at the right moment and helping them complete verification without confusion or unnecessary steps.
“What I really enjoy is the fact that we are able to embed Interac verification service through the experience, rather than sending users to another site and then trying to navigate them back,” says Byron.
The result? With fewer reasons for users to drop off and a smoother journey from start to finish, Certn is seeing higher completion rates, faster turnaround times, and a more efficient experience all around.
A small shift with big results for secure identity verification
The numbers don’t lie. Certn’s integration is already making a big difference.
“It has allowed us to increase our application completion rates and also decrease our support tickets, which was really the goal we were trying to accomplish,” says Byron
Certn’s metrics point to not just a smoother process, but a smarter one. These early results show how real-time verification is improving both operational performance — through faster turnaround and fewer support requests — and scalability, by integrating seamlessly into Certn’s broader verification flow. And they see the value, not only in what it does today, but in how it can adapt to fast-moving industries with tight turnarounds and limited room for error.
“In use cases like gig economy or rideshare, it’s critical to have that fallback,” says Byron. “It could be the difference between completing a check or losing a user in the process.”
What’s next for digital authentication solutions?
“I really see reusable identities, digital identity wallets, verified credentials becoming more popular. As we become more of a digital world, everything’s going to be: how do I create something that’s reusable versus single use only?” says Byron.
And he sees Interac playing a key role in that evolution, not just as a tech partner, but as a thought leader.
“Certn’s definitely going to be looking at pushing innovation and pushing ourselves forward with the help of Interac. They have exciting ideas on how to evolve identity verification on their roadmap,” says Byron.
The power of familiarity
Certn’s story is a real-world reminder that a smoother experience isn’t always about reinventing the wheel. It’s about understanding where the friction lives and solving for it with names people already know.
“Don’t underestimate the value of familiarity in your flows. People love things that feel familiar. That’s what Interac brings to our experience,” says Byron.
Learn more about how our solutions can help you simplify identity verification.
1For a list of participating banks or credit unions that can be used to log in or access the Interac verification service, visit https://www.interac.ca/en/business/our-solutions/interac-verified/interac-verification-service/#which-financial-institutions-can-be-used-to-log-in-or-access-interac-verification-service
2Interac. (2025, April 11). Interac recognized as most reputable financial services brand in Canada. https://www.interac.ca/en/content/news/interac-recognized-as-most-reputable-financial-services-brand-in-canada/
