All-in-one business and tax app for SMEs, ANNA, has become one of the first financial institutions in the U.K. to deploy biometric re-authentication strategies to fight financial crime. The new procedures are being used specifically to prevent fraudsters from using accounts they have accessed illegally.
“ANNA was one of the first in the industry to start pushing these changes live and we continue to make updates and improvements,” ANNA Chief Compliance Officer Leven Li said. “Our random biometric re-authentication programme went live this week and we expect that other financial institutions will likely follow our lead.”
The re-authentication process is initiated whenever someone attempts to access an ANNA account on a mobile device that is different from the one used to initially set up the account. When this occurs, a request for a selfie is issued. Insofar as the fraudster will not be able to produce an accurate facial match, the access attempt is stopped and the account is immediately suspended. Additionally, ANNA has introduced random biometric authentication checks that also leverage a customer selfie to re-verify identity.
The new procedures come as new laws designed to stop Authorized Push Payment (APP) fraud in the U.K. came online this week. APP fraud occurs when a person is tricked into sending money to a fraudster who is posing as a legitimate payee. The new regulations require payment services providers (PSPs) such as ANNA to reimburse eligible claims from APP victims when the fraud takes place via faster payments and CHAPs.
And while ANNA currently has a number of strategies to help prevent fraud, including the use of national databases like CIFAs and limiting ANNA accounts to U.K. residents and businesses, the new requirements are designed to help financial institutions, fintechs, and their customers stay one step ahead of continuously-evolving fraud threats – without compromising the customer experience.
“While these measures are mainly aimed at detecting accounts accessed and misused by criminals who have not been through our Know Your Customer process, there’s no friction at all for our regular customers,” Li said. “It’s just a quick selfie — which we are all used to doing — and it’s keeping our customers and their accounts much safer from day-to-day threats, like fraudsters trying to scam their way in or phone snatchers who try to access accounts by bypassing security protections.”
ANNA made its Finovate debut at FinovateEurope 2020 in Berlin. At the conference, the company demoed its automated tax calculation solution that manages self-assessment and VAT return. The technology automatically categorizes and reconciles expenses, and calculates VAT and tax in real time. The solution then completes and submits tax and VAT returns to the HMRC.
This spring, ANNA acquired business spend management platform GetCape for an undisclosed sum. The transaction enabled ANNA to enter the Australian market; GetCape is headquartered in Sydney. The goal of the acquisition was to provide a challenge to Australia’s Big Four banks when it comes to offering expense management and corporate cards to SMEs.
ANNA was founded in 2017 and is headquartered in the U.K. Boris Dyakonov and Eduard Panteleev are Co-CEOs.
Photo by Evgeniy Alyoshin on Unsplash
Views: 114
Related
All-in-one business and tax app for SMEs, ANNA, has implemented biometric re-authentication strategies to fight fraud.
The new re-authentication procedures are designed to help combat the threat of Authorized Push Payment (APP) fraud.
U.K.-based ANNA made its Finovate debut at FinovateEurope 2020 in Berlin. ANNA’s commitment to utilizing innovative methods to enhance security in small business banking and tax applications sets a precedent for other financial institutions to follow in implementing robust anti-fraud measures.
The implementation of biometric re-authentication strategies marks a significant milestone in the fight against financial crimes such as APP fraud. By incorporating advanced security features like facial recognition technology, ANNA aims to protect its users from unauthorized access and fraudulent activities.
One of the key aspects of ANNA’s re-authentication process is the requirement for a selfie verification when attempting to access an account from a new device. This multifactor authentication approach adds an extra layer of security, making it more challenging for fraudsters to gain unauthorized access to user accounts.
Furthermore, ANNA’s decision to introduce random biometric authentication checks underscores its proactive stance in enhancing security measures. By periodically requesting customers to verify their identity through selfies, ANNA ensures ongoing protection against potential threats.
The recent introduction of new regulations targeting APP fraud in the U.K. highlights the importance of swift and effective fraud prevention mechanisms. As payment services providers like ANNA adapt to these regulatory changes, customers stand to benefit from increased security and assurance in their financial transactions.
While ANNA’s existing security protocols, such as leveraging national databases and restricting accounts to U.K. residents, have been instrumental in combating fraud, the integration of biometric re-authentication strategies represents a forward-thinking approach to cybersecurity.
ANNA’s commitment to maintaining a seamless user experience while prioritizing security is exemplified by its implementation of biometric re-authentication measures. By incorporating innovative technologies, ANNA ensures that customers can securely access their accounts without compromising on convenience.
In conclusion, ANNA’s adoption of biometric re-authentication strategies indicates a proactive approach to combating financial crimes and safeguarding user accounts. With the implementation of stringent security measures and adherence to regulatory requirements, ANNA sets a new standard for small business banking applications.
For more trending news articles like this, visit DeFi Daily News.
