Synthetic identity fraud, a sophisticated form of fake identity scam, has reached unprecedented levels in 2024, posing a significant challenge to financial institutions across the United States. This evolving type of identity fraud is outpacing traditional cybersecurity measures and exposing lenders to substantial financial risks.
The Rise of Credit Washing Scams
TransUnion reported an increase in "credit washing" scams, a credit manipulation scam where criminals using synthetic identities attempt to wipe out negative credit information from an identity's credit history by making false claims of identity theft. These false credit report disputes could be made against accounts opened using a stolen consumer identity or synthetic identity, or unauthorized transactions on a consumer's legitimate credit accounts.
Record-Breaking Fraud Attempts
According to the TransUnion report, the percentage of synthetic identities among attempted account openings for auto loans, bank credit cards, retail credit cards, and unsecured personal loans reached an all-time high at the end of the first half of 2024. Synthetic identities among attempted accounts opened rose 18% in 2024 compared to the previous year.
The Financial Impact
As a result of this increase, lender exposure to potential losses reached $3.2 billion, which is also an all-time high and 7% more than at the end of the first half of 2023. This record-high exposure underscores the urgent need for enhanced risk management and fraud prevention strategies in the financial sector.
Most Vulnerable Sectors
Among attempted accounts opened using synthetic identities, auto loans appeared to be most attractive for fraudsters to stack up balances. At the end of H1 2024, the total exposure to synthetic identities for auto loans had balances roughly double that of the bankcard sector, which ranked second among the credit types analyzed.
Understanding Synthetic Identity Fraud
Synthetic identity fraud involves creating fake identities by combining real personal information (such as a Social Security number) with fraudulent information. These synthetic identities are then used to bypass identity verification checks on online platforms and open fraudulent accounts.
Regulatory Compliance Costs for Fraud Prevention
As synthetic identity fraud continues to rise, alternative lenders face increasing regulatory pressure to implement robust fraud prevention measures. However, these measures come at a significant cost.
The True Cost of Financial Crime Compliance Study revealed that the total cost of financial crime compliance in the U.S. and Canada has reached $61 billion, with mid and large-sized financial institutions particularly impacted.
Compliance costs are being driven by escalating financial crime regulations and expectations, with 44% of mid and large-sized organizations identifying this as the primary factor. As a result, 70% of financial institutions are prioritizing cost reduction in the next 12 months.
However, cutting costs must be balanced with the need for effective fraud detection and risk assessment. Industry estimates suggest that companies should plan to spend about $1 million on compliance for every $1 billion in annual revenue. For alternative lenders, these costs can be particularly burdensome given their smaller scale compared to traditional banks.
Strengthening Defenses Against Synthetic Identity Fraud
To combat this growing threat, alternative lenders must bolster their fraud prevention strategies:
- Enhanced Identity Verification: Implement robust digital identity verification processes that go beyond traditional credit checks. Email and phone intelligence to verify the applicant's digital footprint. Utility, telecom and other alternative credit data to establish identity
- Advanced Fraud Detection: Utilize cutting-edge fraud prevention technology for real-time fraud detection and continuous account monitoring. Behavioral biometrics to identify anomalous application patterns.
- Collaborative Efforts: Participate in industry-wide data sharing initiatives to improve overall fraud prevention capabilities and better assess fraud risk.
As synthetic identity fraud continues to evolve, staying ahead of fraudsters requires a proactive and multi-layered approach to cybersecurity and operational risk management. By implementing comprehensive anti-fraud measures and leveraging advanced technologies, alternative lenders can better protect themselves and their customers from this persistent threat.
Our Opinion
Alternative lenders should take note of this financial risk, as they don't have the same safety nets as traditional banks. But there's no need to panic. Instead, consider it a nudge to boost security measures, update prevention technologies, and tighten up verification processes. This is also a great opportunity for alternative lenders to play to their strengths, like quickly adopting new tech, offering insurance services, and spotting complex patterns to fight fraud. It's a good reminder to stay vigilant and aware of potential risks.
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