Personal Identifier Question (PIQ)
Personal Identifier Question(s) (PIQs) are set by ABC and are used as a means of audit verification.
2026 ABC Personal Identifier Questions
You may use either of the following questions from 1st January 2026 until 31st December 2026:
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What is the date (i.e. day) of your birth? [This will be a number between 1 and 31] For example '17' if your date of birth is 17/06/1988
- Note: As noted below, respondents may be given the option not to provide an answer, but in our experience, an answer being provided is more reliable for verification purposes.
OR
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What are the first two letters of your mother's first name? For example: Sarah = 'SA'
2025 ABC Personal Identifier Questions
You may use either of the following questions up until 31st December 2025:
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What are the first two letters of your father's first name? For example: Stephen = ST.
OR
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What are the first three characters of the last Secondary/High School you attended? For example: John Colet School = JOH.
More information on PIQs
The PIQ is used as a means of audit verification for telephone and electronic registrations (e.g. via internet or e-mail) for controlled free circulation, free requested delivered copies or event attendees.
If used to support your claim it must be asked, the answer recorded and the information retained for audit, for telephone and electronic requests (e.g. via internet or e-mail), source documents used to support non-requested controlled circulation obtained by these means or for telephone/internet event registrations.
If the respondent does not provide an answer to the PIQ, this can be recorded as a valid answer for ABC purposes. However if instances of these are high, this could lead to the need for further testing at audit (or in some cases an inability to verify the claim fully) should respondents provide an answer, having previously not done so. We therefore recommend that the description and presentation of the PIQ is designed to encourage a response.
Please see the relevant Reporting Standards for more information.
For more information or if you have any queries on the Personal Identifier Questions or rules generally please contact us.
