Synthetic identity fraud, an increasingly prevalent financial crime, presents a significant risk to financial institutions (FIs), businesses, and individuals. Unlike traditional identity theft, which involves using another person’s identity, synthetic identity fraud entails creating a new, fictitious identity by combining real and fake information.
How Synthetic Identity Fraud Operates:
In synthetic identity fraud, criminals blend real and fabricated information to construct new identities. This involves using authentic Social Security numbers, often from vulnerable demographics, alongside fictitious names, addresses, and other personal details. Once created, these synthetic identities are used to open bank accounts, apply for credit, and execute fraudulent transactions. Over time, criminals build up the identity’s creditworthiness before exploiting it for financial gain, leaving creditors at a loss.
Distinguishing Synthetic from Traditional Identity Fraud:
While both involve identity theft, synthetic identity fraud differs from traditional fraud in several ways:
- Victim Impact: Traditional fraud directly harms individuals whose information is stolen, while synthetic identity fraud initially impacts financial institutions, leaving them with fraudulent accounts.
- Detection Difficulty: Synthetic identity fraud is harder to detect as it creates a separate, seemingly legitimate financial profile, unlike traditional fraud, which triggers immediate alerts.
- Method of Operation: Traditional fraudsters hack into existing accounts, while synthetic identity fraudsters build new identities from scratch, avoiding security measures.
Types of Synthetic Identities:
Synthetic identities can be categorized into pure and manipulated types:
- Pure Synthetic Identities: Created entirely with fictitious information, these identities lack a traceable history but may face skepticism from FIs.
- Manipulated Synthetic Identities: Utilize altered real identities, making them appear more authentic but risking quicker detection if discrepancies are noticed.
Creating a Synthetic Identity:
The process involves meticulous stages:
- Data Collection: Criminals gather personal information, combining real Social Security numbers with fabricated details.
- Identity Assembly: Real and fake information is amalgamated to form a synthetic identity.
- Initial Account Creation: Fraudsters initiate financial activity to establish a credit file for the synthetic identity.
- Building a Credit File: Consistent financial behavior is exhibited to enhance the identity’s creditworthiness.
- Expanding Credit: Additional credit lines are acquired, leveraging the synthetic identity’s improved credit history.
- The Bust-Out: The synthetic identity is exploited for maximum financial gain before disappearing.
Identity Verification Challenges:
Synthetic identities pass verification checks through:
- Establishing a Credit File: Creating a legitimate credit history through consistent transactions.
- Using “Mules”: Employing individuals to impersonate synthetic identities.
- Document Forgery: Producing high-quality fake documents.
- Exploiting System Weaknesses: Leveraging loopholes in identity verification systems.
Preventing Synthetic Identity Fraud:
Early detection is key, requiring robust identity verification and KYC solutions. Institutions must verify biometric and government-issued identification, cross-referencing against public records and proprietary databases. Solutions like Ahrvo Comply’s 360° View of Client Risk analyze diverse data sources to detect fraudulent accounts.
Conclusion:
Synthetic identity fraud is a multifaceted threat demanding sophisticated detection and prevention methods. Understanding its intricacies and employing advanced technologies can mitigate risks effectively. Ahrvo Comply offers fraud management solutions, including Account Takeover Fraud Prevention and Continuous Controls Monitoring, to help businesses combat fraud effectively. Contact Us to learn more about Ahrvo Comply.
