What's KYC & Age Verification?
KYC and Age Verification at Tributify
Yes; Tributify verifies age and identity for creators. Our KYC (Know Your Customer) and Age Verification process, powered by Sumsub & Persona, ensures that everyone on our platform is legally eligible, safe, and verified. This protects you from fraud, helps us comply with international regulations, and builds trust with your supporters.
Why Do We Require KYC?
The Tributify KYC process confirms your identity using a quick, secure ID check. This process costs $4.00, which we deduct from your first Gift; so you don’t pay upfront. Once your first Gift is received, you’ll be prompted to complete verification. Until verification is complete, payouts will be temporarily paused to keep the platform safe for both creators and fans.
Verification Process
For enhanced security and compliance, our verification process involves two steps:
Step 1: KYC and Age Verification by Sumsub/Persona
1. Creators must complete the KYC and Age Verification process through Sumsub or Persona depending on their jurisdiction. During this process, we collect three major categories of information:
• Personal Information: Name, date of birth, country of residence, and citizenship.
• Tax Information: Address, Tax ID (for non-US residents), or SSN (for US residents).
• Proof of ID: Ensures accurate identity verification.
As a US-based company, we are legally required to collect this information as part of the W9 (for US residents) and W8-BEN (for non-US residents) forms.
• US residents will receive a 1099 form electronically at the end of the tax year if they have received Gifts totaling at least $600 in that year. We are legally required to issue this form when the threshold is met. Whether or not you owe taxes on these gifts depends on your individual circumstances; please consult a qualified tax professional or accountant for guidance.
• Non-US residents will not be issued tax-related forms and are responsible for filing taxes in accordance with their country’s laws.
2. Until Sumsub/Persona verification is complete, payouts will remain paused.
Step 2: Manual Review
1. Once the KYC and Age Verification is approved by Sumsub/Persona, our team will then manually review the creator’s social media and type of content creation to ensure compliance with our Terms of Service (TOS) and determine if we can support them.
• If approved, the creator receives a Blue Checkmark, and their payouts are resumed.
• If rejected, the first Gift will be refunded to the original gifter, and the creator can no longer use our platform.
4. If additional information is required during manual verification, creators will receive an email requesting the necessary information.
Protecting Against Fraudulent Accounts
We are committed to maintaining a safe and trustworthy community. To achieve this, we do not tolerate the creation of misleading profiles.
How Do We Define Fraudulent Accounts?
1. Impersonation: If you have a public social media profile but someone else completes the KYC verification on your behalf, your account may be rejected, even if the verification was initially successful.
2. Transparency: If your social media profile depicts someone other than yourself but clearly states that it is not you, this is not considered fraudulent.
3. Misrepresentation: If your social media profile suggests you are someone you are not, especially if you are posting as a faceless individual but the KYC was completed by someone of a different gender, this is considered fraudulent.
4. Anonymous Accounts: Social media profiles not focused on an individual are not considered fraudulent.
Benefits of the Blue Checkmark
A Blue Checkmark on your profile signifies:
1. You are 18+.
2. You are who you claim to be.
3. You are not engaging in fraudulent activities.
By adhering to these guidelines, we ensure that Tributify remains a safe and trustworthy platform for everyone.
