Fraud is a major issue in the UK, with losses exceeding £4 billion in 2022. Card fraud represents an essential portion of that total, with digital payment methods becoming more widespread than ever. The question in mind is this: What is the reason behind this problem and how to solve it?
- Reason #1: The Increase in Cashless Payments
Because they are so convenient and simple to use, cashless payments are becoming more and more common in the UK. However, they are also at risk of scams. Criminals have the means to make fraudulent purchases by using devices to capture and take data from contactless cards.
Criminals may also use contactless payment devices to complete "card-not-present" purchases. This kind of scam happens when a person steals card information and uses that information to make transactions over the phone or online without using the actual card.
- Reason #2: Online Shopping
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been an increase in the use of credit cards for online transactions. Criminals have benefited from this development by using phishing schemes and other techniques to obtain cardholder information and conduct fake transactions.
In phishing schemes, fraudsters send emails or messages that look like they are coming from trustworthy organizations, like banks or online sellers, and ask for personal or financial information. Criminals can use this information to conduct false operations once they have it.
- Reason #3: Out-of-date Card Infrastructure
Another important factor in card theft is the UK's card system. The UK still has many card readers that use old and fraudulently susceptible magnetic stripe technology. Because it is simple to duplicate, this technology makes it possible for thieves to manufacture fake cards and conduct fraudulent activities.
Furthermore, the issue of card fraud has been worsened by the UK's delayed implementation of chip and PIN technology. Although chip and PIN technology is more private than magnetic stripe technology, it has been slower to catch on in the UK, which means that many terminals still do not support it, making it simpler for fraudsters to conduct crimes.
Solution: AML Compliance Technologies
AML Compliance technologies are made to spot suspect trends in financial operations and find and stop fraudulent activities. Through the detection and blocking of suspicious activities, these technologies can assist financial organizations in preventing card theft.
Transaction Monitoring Software
One of the AML Compliance technologies used to prevent card theft is transaction monitoring software. This software's purpose is to track financial operations in real-time and spot any unusual movements or behaviors.
For instance, the transaction tracking software will identify any suspicious behavior and notify compliance officials if a transaction is made using a card that has been reported stolen. After that, the officers can take the required actions to stop the illegal interaction from happening.
Identity Verification Software
Another AML Compliance technology that can help stop card theft is identity authentication software. By confirming the users' identities, this software makes sure that only valid transactions are handled. To confirm that the user is who they say they are, identity verification software employs a variety of methods.
Financial organizations can stop fraudsters from using stolen card information to carry out fraudulent activities by confirming the cardholder's identification.
For instance, biometric identification technology is used to confirm the name of the cardholder. This technology makes use of distinctive bodily traits like fingerprints, face recognition, or speech recognition. Financial organizations can guarantee security by utilizing biometric identification.
With the help of the biometric functions of their mobile device, users can quickly and easily validate their identities when making mobile purchases. Card readers can also incorporate biometric identification technology, enabling users to validate their identity using a fingerprint scan rather than a PIN number.
AML Compliance Training
Card fraud can be addressed with the aid of AML compliance tools, but financial institutions must also ensure that their staff members receive training. Identification of suspicious activities and comprehension of scam warning signs should be part of training. This training would make it possible for the UK's outdated card infrastructure, which contributes significantly to card theft. Magnetic stripe technology, which is antiquated and susceptible to fraud, is still widely used in card readers in the UK. This technology is simple to replicate by criminals, making it simple for them to manufacture phony cards and conduct fraudulent operations.
AML Compliance Issues in the UK
The danger of money laundering using the banking system is one of the main problems with AML Compliance in the UK. Due to its scale and global reach, the UK's banking system is especially exposed to this risk, making it a desirable target for thieves.
The UK government and financial authorities have taken several measures to fight money laundering, including the implementation of the Money Laundering Regulations 2017, which mandate that financial organizations have effective AML compliance measures in place. Customer due diligence, transaction tracking, and reporting suspicious behavior to the appropriate officials are some of these safeguards.
The threat of terrorism financing is an additional problem. Financial organizations are required to abide by laws designed to stop the financing of terrorism, which includes notifying the appropriate authorities of any suspect transactions. Financial organizations that violate these laws risk severe repercussions, such as penalties and reputational damage.
Lack of knowledge or instruction may also contribute to AML compliance problems. Financial organizations must make sure that all of their staff members are familiar with the appropriate regulations and know how to spot suspicious activities. Financial institutions may not comply due to an absence of knowledge or instruction, which leaves them open to financial crime.
The UK also confronts difficulties with regard to the use of technology in banking services in addition to these problems. The use of coins for money laundering and the use of technology to get around AML compliance laws are just two examples of how technology has the potential to transform the financial sector, but it also brings with it new dangers.
To successfully mitigate these risks, financial institutions must adopt a proactive strategy for AML compliance. This involves making investments in technology and training to guarantee that their personnel and internal systems are prepared to identify and stop financial fraud. In order to increase their AML compliance powers and decrease wrong positives, some financial institutions have adopted innovative technologies like artificial intelligence and machine learning. This has allowed them to detect suspicious activity more.
With its numerous tools, Sanction Scanner is eager to assure safety against card fraud. Contact us or request a demo today.
