A verified identity is an advantage on the Internet, where people often only meet virtually and personal guarantees are at a minimum. The "verified identity" icon ensures that a person exists behind a name and profile, and thus increases the level of trust that others may have with respect to that person.

The ProZ.com Pow-wow is an ideal tool for facilitating Identity Verification. Members are thus encouraged to make use of it.

Any person with a verified identity can organize an ID Verification Pow-wow. In order to do this, he must register his intentions to hold the meeting on the Pow-wow Board.

As soon as the details (where, when, what time, etc.) are firmed up, he should get in touch with ProZ.com Staff in order to inform them that he will be carrying out ID Verification. The important data to log down in this process is member number, name/username, and ID document verified.

No member identity is to be verified in this manner without face-to-face contact. Telephone conversations are not valid channels for ID verification.

After the Pow-wow, the organizer should submit the electronic list of attendees along with the written report of proceedings. Both forms are available under the link "Events and Pow-wows".