Combating Subscription Fraud

Combating Subscription Fraud in Telecom

In our previous blog, we delved into the complex and challenging world of subscription fraud in the Indian telecom sector, shedding light on its mechanisms and impact. Now, we shift our focus to solutions and strategies. In this blog, we’ll explore the effective measures and innovative approaches that can be employed to combat subscription fraud. From cutting-edge technologies to robust regulatory frameworks, join us as we navigate through the proactive steps that telecom companies, regulators, and consumers can take to safeguard against these fraudulent activities.

In the fast-paced world of digital subscriptions, India has emerged as a fertile ground for opportunity. From streaming services to OTT platforms, e-commerce giants to food delivery apps, the subscription landscape is booming. However, this rapid growth has also attracted unwanted attention – the cunning specter of subscription fraud.

The Grim Reality of Subscription Fraud in India

Subscription fraud manifests in various forms, each aiming to exploit vulnerabilities in the onboarding process. Common tactics include:

  • Synthetic identities: Fraudsters create fake identities using stolen or fabricated data, often including PAN cards, Aadhaar numbers, and even bank account details. These seemingly legitimate identities then trick platforms into granting subscriptions without any intention of future payments.
  • Account Takeover (ATO): Hackers steal existing user credentials and gain access to active subscriptions, racking up charges before the rightful owner realizes the breach.
  • Sim Swapping: By tricking mobile operators into transferring phone numbers associated with subscriptions, fraudsters divert billing notifications and gain unauthorized access.
  • Carding: Stolen credit card information is used to subscribe to services, leaving the rightful cardholder to deal with the financial repercussions.

These fraudulent activities cause significant financial losses, erode trust in digital platforms, and create a negative user experience. A 2021 report by Juniper Research estimated that global subscription fraud will cost businesses a staggering $20 billion by 2025. In India, the problem is particularly acute, with a 2022 report by Experian revealing that 32% of online transactions are attempted using fraudulent data.

Why is India Vulnerable?

Several factors contribute to India’s susceptibility to subscription fraud:

  • Rapid digitization: The rapid adoption of digital services, coupled with a growing tech-savvy population, presents a vast attack surface for fraudsters.
  • Weak KYC norms: Traditional paper-based KYC verification processes are often unreliable and susceptible to manipulation.
  • Financial inclusion: The increasing use of digital wallets and other alternative payment methods creates additional avenues for fraud.
  • Lack of awareness: Many users remain unaware of the red flags and risks associated with online subscriptions, making them easy targets.

How is Signzy Combating Subscription Fraud?

In this scenario, Signzy emerges as a beacon of hope.

Signzy’s AI-powered identity verification platform leverages cutting-edge technologies to combat subscription fraud and safeguard businesses and users alike. Here’s how:

  • Digital Document Verification: Signzy’s solution verifies the authenticity of uploaded documents like PAN cards, Aadhaar numbers, and bank statements in real-time. Advanced checks like liveness detection and document tampering analysis prevent the use of forged documents.
  • Video KYC: Conducting live video KYC through Signzy’s platform verifies a user’s identity by comparing their facial features with their government-issued ID photos. This human-in-the-loop approach offers an extra layer of security.
  • Fraud Screening: By unearthing hidden patterns and assigning a quantifiable risk score, Signzy empowers platforms to make informed decisions and foster a secure and thriving digital ecosystem. In the ongoing battle against subscription fraud, Signzy’s vigilant screening stands as a beacon of hope, ensuring that the light of trust continues to shine on the path of digital progress.
  • Continuous Monitoring: Even after onboarding, Signzy’s solution provides ongoing monitoring of user activity, detecting suspicious transactions and potential ATO attempts in real-time.

Beyond Technology: Building a Collaborative Ecosystem

Tackling subscription fraud requires a multi-pronged approach. Signzy actively collaborates with:

  • Financial institutions: Sharing data and insights to identify and blacklist fraudulent actors.
  • Law enforcement agencies: Providing assistance in tracking down and prosecuting cybercriminals.
  • Industry bodies: Raising awareness about subscription fraud and advocating for stronger KYC norms.
  • Consumers: Educating users about safe online practices and encouraging them to report suspicious activity.

A Brighter Future

By combining cutting-edge technology with collaborative efforts, Signzy is leading the fight against subscription fraud in India. As awareness grows and platforms adopt robust verification processes, the digital landscape will become a safer and more secure space for both businesses and users.

The journey to eradicate subscription fraud is ongoing, but with proactive measures and innovative solutions like Signzy, we can pave the way for a brighter future of trustworthy and secure digital subscriptions in India.

About Signzy

Signzy is a market-leading platform redefining the speed, accuracy, and experience of how financial institutions are onboarding customers and businesses – using the digital medium. The company’s award-winning no-code GO platform delivers seamless, end-to-end, and multi-channel onboarding journeys while offering customizable workflows. In addition, it gives these players access to an aggregated marketplace of 240+ bespoke APIs, easily added to any workflow with simple widgets.

Signzy is enabling ten million+ end customer and business onboarding every month at a success rate of 99% while reducing the speed to market from 6 months to 3-4 weeks. It works with over 240+ FIs globally, including the 4 largest banks in India, a Top 3 acquiring Bank in the US, and has a robust global partnership with Mastercard and Microsoft. The company’s product team is based out of Bengaluru and has a strong presence in Mumbai, New York, and Dubai.

Visit www.signzy.com for more information about us.
Contact us directly!

Telecommunication Fraud

Telecommunication Fraud: The Top 10

Telecommunication fraud in India is a growing concern, with sophisticated scams targeting both providers and consumers. These deceptive practices range from illegal SIM swaps to intricate phishing schemes, costing the economy and individuals significantly. As digital adoption accelerates, so does the urgency for robust fraud detection and prevention measures.

India’s booming telecom sector, with its vast and tech-savvy user base, unfortunately attracts not just legitimate businesses but also cunning fraudsters. These digital demons prey on vulnerabilities in the system, costing telecom companies billions and leaving users bewildered and out of pocket.

Today, we shine a light on the top 10 telecommunication frauds plaguing India, equipping you with the knowledge to outsmart the tricksters and safeguard your mobile experience.

International Revenue Sharing Fraud (IRSF): The most persistent type of Telecommunication fraud!

In IRSF, fraudsters lease premium-rate phone numbers designed to charge high rates for calls. They then illegally access a company’s phone system to call these numbers, racking up large charges that the company unknowingly pays. A portion of these charges is kicked back to the fraudsters. It’s a significant issue for telecom companies because it can lead to enormous unexpected bills and there’s little regulation to help victims recover the costs.

Interconnect Bypass Fraud (SIM Box Fraud):

This occurs when fraudsters use a device called a SIM box to redirect international calls through a different route that costs less. The call is still billed at the higher international rate, but the fraudster only pays a lower cost, keeping the difference. This not only cheats telecom operators out of revenue but often results in poorer call quality for unsuspecting customers.

Telecom Arbitrage Fraud:

Arbitrage fraud in telecommunication exploits the price discrepancies in international call rates. Fraudulent operators act as middlemen, rerouting calls through countries with cheaper rates while charging the original higher rates. They profit from the difference, and this type of fraud can be difficult to trace due to the complex nature of international telecom networks.

PBX Hacking:

Private Branch Exchange (PBX) systems, which many businesses use for their internal phone networks, can be vulnerable to hacking. Fraudsters exploit weak security to gain access and make long-distance or premium-rate calls at the business’s expense. The hacking often goes unnoticed until the business receives an unusually high phone bill.

Traffic Pumping (Access Stimulation):

Local phone companies in rural areas sometimes inflate the volume of incoming calls to their networks. This is to take advantage of the compensation fees they’re entitled to from larger telecom companies. It’s a legal loophole that allows them to claim more money under the guise of increased traffic.

Deposit Fraud:

Deposit fraud is essentially credit card fraud targeting telecom operators’ online stores. Fraudsters use stolen credit card details to purchase prepaid SIM cards or devices. When the actual cardholder disputes the charge, the telecom company must issue a refund, which adds to their losses.

Subscription Fraud – One of the common Telecommunication Frauds

Here, criminals use stolen identities to sign up for phone contracts to get high-end smartphones, which they then unlock and sell. They manage to bypass the Know Your Customer (KYC) checks with fake or stolen IDs, and by the time the fraud is discovered, the fraudster has disappeared with the device.

Account Takeover (ATO):

ATO fraud involves criminals gaining access to existing customer accounts by stealing or guessing login credentials. They can then make unauthorized changes or purchases. This type of fraud is costly to resolve and can severely damage a company’s reputation.

Smishing/SMS Phishing:

Scammers use SMS phishing to trick individuals into revealing personal information by sending deceptive text messages. They often use sophisticated techniques to avoid detection and may even operate illegal marketplaces to sell the data they collect.

SIM Jacking and SIM Swapping:

This fraud involves transferring a victim’s phone number to a new SIM card that the criminal controls. They can intercept text messages and calls, including those containing one-time passwords or two-factor authentication codes, to gain access to the victim’s other accounts and services.

Combating Telecommunication Fraud with Signzy

In the telecom industry, fraudsters often use complex schemes to conceal their identities, utilizing stolen personal information and employing a myriad of strategies to obscure their true intentions. Whether interacting with online shoppers or local carriers, the challenge remains the same.

Signzy offers a solution that allows telecom businesses to thoroughly understand their customers with minimal hassle. Our solutions are designed to provide deep insights into user identities, streamlining the verification process while maintaining user convenience.

About Signzy

Signzy is a market-leading platform redefining the speed, accuracy, and experience of how financial institutions are onboarding customers and businesses – using the digital medium. The company’s award-winning no-code GO platform delivers seamless, end-to-end, and multi-channel onboarding journeys while offering customizable workflows. In addition, it gives these players access to an aggregated marketplace of 240+ bespoke APIs, easily added to any workflow with simple widgets.

Signzy is enabling ten million+ end customer and business onboarding every month at a success rate of 99% while reducing the speed to market from 6 months to 3-4 weeks. It works with over 240+ FIs globally, including the 4 largest banks in India, a Top 3 acquiring Bank in the US, and has a robust global partnership with Mastercard and Microsoft. The company’s product team is based out of Bengaluru and has a strong presence in Mumbai, New York, and Dubai.

Visit www.signzy.com for more information about us.
Contact us directly!

OCEN

Unlocking the Potential of OCEN

The world of fintech is continually evolving, and innovations in the financial services sector are reshaping the way we manage money, access credit, and foster economic growth. One such innovation that has been making waves is OCEN (Open Credit Enablement Network). In this blog, we will explore what OCEN is, its impact on digital lending, and more. 

What is OCEN?

At its core, OCEN serves as a digital infrastructure that allows financial institutions and fintech companies to collaborate efficiently, reducing the time and effort required to process loans and deliver financial services. It sets the stage for the creation of a unified digital lending ecosystem, where data can flow seamlessly. Consequently, this empowers lenders to make more informed lending decisions and extends access to credit to a broader segment of the population.

ICICI Bank, a leading financial institution in India, has embraced OCEN technology to enhance the loan application process for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). By leveraging OCEN’s robust APIs, ICICI Bank offers a streamlined and convenient digital application process for MSMEs. This enables instant loan sanctions based on pre-approved credit limits, significantly reducing the time and effort traditionally required for loan approvals. This proactive approach supports and empowers MSMEs, facilitating their growth and development.

Impact on Digital Lending

Efficiency: OCEN streamlines and automates the processes of sharing and verifying data, significantly reducing the time it takes to process loan applications. This efficiency benefits both lenders and borrowers, making access to credit quicker and more convenient.

Risk Assessment: With access to a broader pool of data, lenders can better assess the creditworthiness of borrowers, leading to more accurate risk assessment models. This can result in more competitive interest rates and better loan terms for borrowers.

Cost Reduction: Financial institutions can reduce operational costs by eliminating manual processes and redundant data entry. These savings can be passed on to borrowers or reinvested in improving services.

Financial Inclusion and OCEN

One of the most promising aspects of OCEN is its potential to drive financial inclusion. In many parts of the world, a significant portion of the population remains unbanked or underbanked, lacking access to basic financial services and credit. OCEN can help address this issue in several ways, such as:

Wider Reach: OCEN’s digital infrastructure allows financial institutions to extend their services to previously underserved areas, including remote rural regions. This widens the reach of financial services and promotes economic development.

Alternative Data: OCEN encourages the use of alternative data sources, such as utility bill payments and mobile phone usage, to assess creditworthiness. This can benefit individuals with limited or no traditional credit history.

Lower Costs: With streamlined processes and reduced overheads, lenders can offer more affordable financial products, making them accessible to a broader range of consumers.

Challenges and Considerations

While OCEN holds immense promise, it is not without its challenges and considerations. Some of the key factors to keep in mind include:

Data Privacy and Security: As OCEN involves the sharing of sensitive financial data, ensuring robust data privacy and security measures is paramount to protect consumers’ information.

Regulatory Compliance: The framework must navigate various regulatory environments in different countries. Compliance with local laws and regulations can be complex and requires careful consideration.

Digital Divide: While OCEN can promote financial inclusion, it also relies on digital infrastructure. Bridging the digital divide and ensuring that all segments of the population have access to the necessary technology is a crucial challenge.

OCEN’s Future and Global Relevance

The future of OCEN is bright, with its potential reverberating on a global scale. As more countries and financial institutions adopt this framework, it will become a standard in the digital lending landscape. Here are the top reasons why OCEN is gaining traction globally:

  • OCEN’s focus on interoperability makes it adaptable to various financial ecosystems, making it appealing to a wide range of stakeholders.
  • The cost-efficiency offered by OCEN is an attractive proposition for financial institutions looking to remain competitive in an ever-evolving market.
  • OCEN fosters innovation by encouraging collaboration between traditional lenders and fintech innovators. This results in a more dynamic and customer-centric financial industry.

Conclusion

OCEN represents a pivotal moment in the evolution of digital lending and financial services. As OCEN continues to gain momentum and adoption, it has the potential to reshape the way we access credit, promote financial inclusion, and drive economic growth on a global scale. However, it is essential to navigate the challenges and considerations carefully to ensure that OCEN’s benefits are fully realized while safeguarding the interests and privacy of consumers. 

About Signzy

Signzy is a market-leading platform redefining the speed, accuracy, and experience of how financial institutions are onboarding customers and businesses – using the digital medium. The company’s award-winning no-code GO platform delivers seamless, end-to-end, and multi-channel onboarding journeys while offering customizable workflows. In addition, it gives these players access to an aggregated marketplace of 240+ bespoke APIs, easily added to any workflow with simple widgets.

Signzy is enabling ten million+ end customer and business onboarding every month at a success rate of 99% while reducing the speed to market from 6 months to 3-4 weeks. It works with over 240+ FIs globally, including the 4 largest banks in India, a Top 3 acquiring Bank in the US, and has a robust global partnership with Mastercard and Microsoft. The company’s product team is based out of Bengaluru and has a strong presence in Mumbai, New York, and Dubai.

Visit www.signzy.com for more information about us.
Contact us directly!

 

Transaction Monitoring

Transaction Screening vs Transaction Monitoring

In the rapidly evolving fintech industry, maintaining robust financial compliance is more critical than ever. Two key components of this compliance landscape are Transaction Screening and Transaction Monitoring. Each plays a vital role in detecting and preventing financial crimes such as money laundering and fraud. This blog delves into the intricacies of these mechanisms, compares their functionalities, and explores the challenges and future trends in this domain.

Defining Transaction Screening

Transaction Screening is the process of vetting transactions against predetermined criteria to identify potential risks. It involves checking transaction details against various watchlists, including those related to sanctioned individuals, entities, or countries. For example, a fintech company might use algorithms to screen transactions against OFAC (Office of Foreign Assets Control) lists to ensure compliance with international sanctions.

Exploring Transaction Monitoring

Transaction Monitoring, on the other hand, is a dynamic process. It involves the continuous analysis of customer transactions to identify patterns that might indicate suspicious activities. This process is critical in identifying unusual patterns that could signify money laundering or terrorist financing. Advanced machine learning models, for instance, can detect anomalies in transaction behaviors, flagging potentially risky activities for further investigation.

Comparing Screening and Monitoring

While both processes aim to mitigate financial crime, their approaches are distinct. Screening is a preventative measure, stopping risky transactions before they occur, whereas monitoring is detective, identifying risks within ongoing transactional activities. The recent case of Revolut, a leading fintech player, highlights this difference. Revolut enhanced its transaction monitoring system using machine learning algorithms, resulting in a significant reduction in false positives compared to traditional rule-based systems.

The Role of Technology

Technology is the linchpin in both screening and monitoring. Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) have revolutionized these processes. Advanced algorithms can now analyze vast amounts of data for potential risks, improving accuracy and efficiency. A report by McKinsey & Company emphasizes the growing reliance on AI in transaction monitoring, noting a substantial improvement in detection rates and operational efficiency.

Regulatory Compliance and Legal Implications

The legal landscape in financial compliance is complex and ever-changing. Fintechs must navigate regulations such as the Anti-Money Laundering Directive in the EU or the Bank Secrecy Act in the USA. Non-compliance can result in hefty fines. For example, in 2020, the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) imposed fines exceeding $10 billion globally for non-compliance issues.

Challenges in Implementation

Implementing effective screening and monitoring systems poses several challenges. The foremost is balancing sensitivity and specificity—too strict, and the system generates excessive false positives; too lenient, and genuine risks might slip through. Integrating these systems into existing infrastructures and ensuring they are adaptable to changing regulations is another significant challenge.

Best Practices for Financial Institutions

To optimize transaction screening and monitoring, financial institutions should:

  • Employ a layered approach, combining various types of screening and monitoring tools.
  • Regularly update their systems to align with the latest regulatory requirements.
  • Invest in training for staff to recognize and respond to flagged transactions appropriately.
  • Utilize data analytics to continuously refine and improve their compliance processes.

Future Trends in Transaction Compliance

Looking ahead, we can expect several trends in transaction compliance:

  • Increased use of AI and ML for real-time analysis and decision-making.
  • Greater emphasis on cross-border collaboration for global compliance.
  • Development of blockchain technology for enhanced transparency and traceability in transactions.
  • Rising importance of privacy-preserving analytics in compliance, balancing data utility and privacy.

Transaction Screening and Transaction Monitoring are not just regulatory requirements but essential tools in the fight against financial crime in the fintech sector. Their effective implementation ensures the integrity of financial systems and protects institutions from legal repercussions. 

About Signzy

Signzy is a market-leading platform redefining the speed, accuracy, and experience of how financial institutions are onboarding customers and businesses – using the digital medium. The company’s award-winning no-code GO platform delivers seamless, end-to-end, and multi-channel onboarding journeys while offering customizable workflows. In addition, it gives these players access to an aggregated marketplace of 240+ bespoke APIs, easily added to any workflow with simple widgets.

Signzy is enabling ten million+ end customer and business onboarding every month at a success rate of 99% while reducing the speed to market from 6 months to 3-4 weeks. It works with over 240+ FIs globally, including the 4 largest banks in India, a Top 3 acquiring Bank in the US, and has a robust global partnership with Mastercard and Microsoft. The company’s product team is based out of Bengaluru and has a strong presence in Mumbai, New York, and Dubai.

Visit www.signzy.com for more information about us.
Contact us directly!

 

Data Privacy

Addressing Data Privacy Concerns with Face Match API

Financial institutions and organizations worldwide face an uphill battle regarding fraud prevention. With fraudsters’ ever-evolving tactics, traditional identification verification methods aren’t sufficient. The consequences of falling victim to fraud can be devastating for the institutions and their customers, who entrust them with sensitive personal information.

This is where Signzy’s Face-Match API steps in as a game-changer. By harnessing the power of facial recognition technology, we offer a robust solution to combat fraud effectively.

With our solution, financial institutions can perform identity verification effortlessly and accurately. By comparing a user’s live image with their stored reference image, any discrepancies or signs of fraudulent activity can be swiftly detected. This revolutionary tool provides an added layer of security that significantly reduces the risk associated with fraudulent transactions.

Our face-match technology goes beyond verifying identities; it also helps streamline customer onboarding processes by eliminating manual interventions and reducing human error. This enables organizations to enhance operational efficiency while maintaining stringent compliance standards.

However, it is understandable that users and businesses would be wary of how their data is handled. In this article, learn more about how Signzy protects data from falling into the wrong hands.

The ongoing concerns around data privacy

Data privacy is a pressing concern in today’s digital age, where personal information is constantly shared and stored online. Addressing these concerns becomes even more crucial with the increasing use of facial recognition technology and identity verification systems.

One major worry is the potential misuse or unauthorized access to sensitive data. As financial institutions and organizations collect vast amounts of personal information for fraud detection and compliance purposes, individuals are rightfully concerned about how their data will be protected.

Another concern revolves around consent management. Individuals want assurance that their consent is sought before their data is used. They also expect transparency regarding what type of data will be collected, how long it will be retained, and who will have access to it.

Signzy takes data privacy and compliance seriously. Addressing concerns around data privacy requires a comprehensive approach involving transparency in consent management practices and stringent security protocols. Only then can individuals feel confident in entrusting their personal information to organizations.

Is Signzy’s Face-Match API Secure?

Yes. Signzy takes data privacy and compliance seriously, ensuring our facial recognition technology is secure. We have implemented advanced security protocols to protect user data from unauthorized access and hacking. Our face-match technology is also verified and certified by leading security agencies.

Regarding the security of personal data, organizations and individuals alike have valid concerns. With the rise in fraudulent activities, financial institutions and organizations must implement robust measures to combat fraud effectively. Signzy’s Face-Match API offers a secure solution for identity verification through facial recognition technology. But what sets it apart from other solutions? The answer lies in its commitment to data privacy and compliance.

One primary concern surrounding facial recognition technology is the potential misuse of personal data. However, we address this concern by implementing stringent security protocols that ensure data protection at all process stages.

From capturing and storing images securely to encrypting sensitive information, Signzy goes above and beyond industry standards to safeguard user data. Additionally, our face-match algorithm uses advanced machine-learning techniques that are continually updated to stay ahead of evolving threats.

The need for transparency when it comes to data privacy

The need for transparency regarding data privacy is of utmost importance in today’s digital age. With the increasing amount of personal information being shared online, individuals and organizations are rightfully concerned about who has access to their data and how it is used.

In the context of facial recognition technology and identity verification, transparency becomes even more crucial. Users want to know that their biometric data is handled securely and responsibly. They want assurance that their face images are not stored or shared without consent.

At Signzy, we understand these concerns and prioritize data privacy above all else. We strive to be transparent with our users by clearly explaining how our Face-Match API works and what measures we have to protect their data.

We ensure transparency through clear communication about the purpose for which users’ facial images are collected. We always obtain explicit user consent before storing or processing any biometric data.

Additionally, we use advanced security protocols to safeguard the confidentiality and integrity of user data.

Security protocols used along with data and consent management

To safeguard user information, our Face-Match API employs industry-leading encryption algorithms. This ensures that all data transmitted between users and our platform is securely encrypted, making it nearly impossible for unauthorized individuals to access or manipulate it.

In addition to encryption, we also implement strict access controls. Only authorized personnel are granted access to user data; even then, they only have permission for specific purposes within their job responsibilities. This helps prevent any potential misuse or mishandling of sensitive information.

Furthermore, we regularly update and monitor our systems for any vulnerabilities or threats. Our dedicated team monitors and promptly addresses emerging security risks with necessary patches or updates.

By implementing these rigorous security protocols and comprehensive data and consent management practices, Signzy prioritizes safeguarding customer privacy throughout identity verification.

Signzy supports data protection and digital privacy

Data privacy is a fundamental right that every individual deserves. With increasing instances of online breaches and unauthorized access to personal information, it has become imperative for organizations to prioritize protecting sensitive data. Signzy recognizes this need and proactively safeguards user confidentiality through encryption techniques and strict access controls.

With technological advancements like Signzy’s Face-Match API and our unwavering commitment towards transparency and protection of user data privacy rights, financial institutions can rest easy knowing that client information remains safe.

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