What is Authorized Push Payment (APP) Fraud?

Authorized Push Payment (APP) fraud involves victims unknowingly authorizing payments to fraudsters. This type of fraud has surged as digital transactions become commonplace.

Types of APP Fraud

1. Invoice Scams: Fraudsters impersonate suppliers to trick victims into paying fake invoices.

2. CEO Fraud: Cybercriminals mimic executives to pressure employees into transferring funds.

3. Romance Scams: Emotional manipulation leads victims to send money to fraudsters posing as romantic interests.

4. Investment Scams: Fraudsters promise high returns to lure victims into transferring funds.

How APP Fraud Occurs

The Psychology of Deception

Fraudsters exploit trust, urgency and emotional vulnerability through tactics such as social engineering and spoofing. For instance, a scammer may create a sense of urgency by claiming an account breach to prompt immediate action.

The Role of Technology

Using spoofed phone numbers, fake websites and malware, fraudsters create convincing narratives that trick victims into authorizing transactions.

The Difficulty of Recovery

APP transactions are particularly challenging to reverse due to their authorized nature, complex legal frameworks and the rapid movement of funds.

Impact on Financial Services

Financial Losses: The industry incurs direct losses from fraud and indirect costs from investigations and customer compensation.
Reputational Damage: APP fraud undermines customer trust, leading to long-term business challenges like churn.
Regulatory Scrutiny: Non-compliance with standards like PSD2 can result in penalties and increased pressure to adopt fraud prevention measures.

How NICE Actimize Helps

A Multi-Layered Approach

NICE Actimize addresses APP fraud through advanced technologies and strategies, including:

IFM-X: Real-time detection with AI-powered analytics.
Entity-centric AML Solutions: Profiling customer behaviors for accurate risk assessments.
Fraud Investigation Solutions: Streamlined investigations for faster recovery.

Benefits for Financial Institutions

Reduced fraud losses
Enhanced detection rates
Stronger compliance and customer trust

Strengthen Your Defenses

APP fraud is a growing threat, but NICE Actimize offers the tools to stay ahead. Proactively protect your organization with cutting-edge solutions designed to detect, prevent and recover from fraud.

Learn more about preventing APP fraud with NICE Actimize.