Unmasking Deepfake: The New Frontier in Payments Fraud

In the digital age, businesses are constantly on the lookout for new threats that could compromise their operations. One such emerging threat is deepfake technology, a sophisticated form of artificial intelligence that can create hyper-realistic but entirely fake audio and video content. This technology has significant implications for identity theft, particularly in the Accounts Payable (AP) space, where the authenticity of suppliers is crucial.

Deepfake and Identity Theft: A Growing Threat

Deepfake technology can be exploited to commit identity theft, posing a significant risk to businesses. In the AP space, deepfake technology can be used to impersonate suppliers, leading to fraudulent transactions. A fraudster could potentially use deepfake technology to mimic a supplier's voice, video, or even email style, tricking businesses into making payments to fraudulent accounts.

The 2023 AFP® Payments Fraud and Control Survey Report, underwritten by J.P. Morgan, provides a comprehensive overview of the current state of payments fraud and control measures in the financial services sector. According to the report, 53% of organizations validate payments verbally, while 17% rely on their financial vendor or bank for validation. However, as deepfake technology becomes more sophisticated, these traditional methods of validation may no longer be sufficient.

The Rise of Synthetic Identity Fraud

The AFP report also highlights the rise of synthetic identity fraud, a type of scam where criminals combine real and fake ID information to create new and artificial identities. This type of fraud is particularly concerning as it can be difficult to detect and can lead to significant financial losses.

In this context, businesses must be vigilant and implement robust verification processes to ensure the authenticity of their suppliers. This could involve thorough ID verification, biometric verification, and cross-validation of supplier information.

Navigating the New Frontier

As technology continues to evolve, so too must our strategies for combating fraud. The rise of deepfake technology and synthetic identity fraud represents a new frontier in payments fraud. Businesses must be proactive in understanding these threats and implementing robust controls to protect their operations.

In the face of these challenges, the key takeaway is clear: knowing your suppliers is more important than ever. By truly understanding their suppliers and implementing robust verification processes, businesses can navigate this new frontier and ensure the integrity of their AP operations.

As we move forward, businesses, financial institutions, and regulatory bodies must work together to develop new strategies and technologies to combat these emerging threats. The future may be uncertain, but with vigilance, innovation, and collaboration, we can ensure that it is also secure.

‍

Interested in learning how organizations are leveraging AP Payments as a Service to proactively manage supplier verification, and prevent payments fraud? Click here to request time with one of Finexio's payments experts.