2012 media releases
Phone ID service attracts more than 400,000 people
8 August 2012
More than 400,000 people have registered for Inland Revenue's voice recognition service (Voice ID), giving them quicker and more secure access when they want to do business over the phone.
"Voice ID matches a customer's voice against their pre-recorded voice print. This means that customers do not have to answer a series of identity questions and they no longer have to use their PIN and password system when they contact us," Group Manager Customer Services, Eleanor Young said.
"Like fingerprints, everyone's voice is unique to the individual, and we can use it to verify their identification when they phone us. Because each voice print is unique, Voice ID is extremely secure."
The system also enables customers to check the balance of their Inland Revenue accounts, receive child support information, track their tax refund, retrieve their IRD number, activate their online services account and reset passwords and update bank account details, even if they call us outside our opening hours.
"Voice ID was introduced in November 2011 for customers who told us they wanted multiple ways of interacting with Inland Revenue. We looked at more innovative ways to solve the challenge and we are very happy with this particular solution," Ms Young said.
"Not only has Voice ID overtaken our PIN system already, feedback from our customers is very positive, and this is reflected in the growing number of people using the service. Inland Revenue is one of the largest organisations using Voice ID in Australia and New Zealand."
"It's very simple to register and only takes a couple of minutes. All you need to do is telephone 0800 257 843 with your IRD number handy, and follow the simple instructions."
People can also find out more by going to voice ID
For further information:
David G. Miller
04 890 1743
029 890 1743
david.miller@ird.govt.nz
Other media releases this year
- Court decision supports Inland Revenue's search procedures
- Students heading overseas: talk with Inland Revenue first
- Commissioner’s Statement clarifies tax treatment on accommodation allowances
- Church members sentenced for false rebate claims
- Fitness business operator sentenced for false GST claims
- Inland Revenue welcomes Supreme Court’s latest Trinity decision
- Inland Revenue extends timeframe for Penny and Hooper-equivalent disclosures
- Inland Revenue apologises for releasing customer information
- Inland Revenue website wins 2012 NetGuide Award
- Sentencing a warning to tax cheats
- Warning about hoax phone calls offering tax refunds
- Inland Revenue launches Compliance Focus 2012-13
- Tax advisors sentenced in multi-million dollar tax evasion case
- Woman jailed for tax fraud
- Deliberate and repeat tax evasion results in prison
- Ex-contractor sentenced to home detention for tax evasion
- Christchurch bar owner sentenced for tax evasion
- Illegal Working for Families Tax Credits claims results in home detention
- Community service after false GST claims
- Inland Revenue releases industry benchmarks
- Student loan, KiwiSaver and Working for Families changes
- Property developer sentenced to home detention for tax evasion
- Repayment deadline for student loan borrowers overseas
- Home detention and reparations for tax evasion
- Prison for tax fraud and evasion
- Inland Revenue clarifies Hanover debt-for-equity swaps
- Blenheim man sentenced to home detention for tax offences
- Community detention for dishonesty and fraud
- A year in prison for tax evasion
- February tax payment reminder
Communications and Inquiry
Inland Revenue
To make a media query:
Phone 04 890 1698 or email mediaqueries@ird.govt.nz
Please note, the email address is only for enquiries from the news media. It is monitored during normal business hours 8am - 5pm Monday to Friday.
P O Box 2198
Wellington 6140
New Zealand
Date published: 08 Jul 2012
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