New research reveals a worrying trend in identity theft: the rise of selfie spoofing. This technique involves using stolen IDs to get through document verification systems by matching them with readily available photos from social media. Selfie spoofing refers to the use of manipulated images or photographs of IDs by individuals to bypass the verification process, which live capture requirements are supposed to prevent. Deceitful tactics also involve tampering with headshots on documents, where facial images are deliberately altered so as to deceive identity verification processes.
Additionally, there are many other practices that can be considered as belonging to selfie spoofing such as taking pictures using any camera or devices capturing screens or printed papers for pretending to be real ones. The method is used commonly among scammers aiming at stealing identities or unauthorised access to systems. Thus, this advanced fraud creates significant obstacles for businesses ranging from the online gambling sector to lending.
A recent report has revealed that selfie spoofing is a common phenomenon in sectors like online gaming, marketplaces, lending and credit cards. Also noted in the report was an alarming statistic stating that 49% of all selfie spoofing attacks target individuals aged 50 years and older. This section of the population, often with significant assets and showing a lack of technological savvy, is more likely to be targeted by scammers. Typically, scammers would take photos of stolen IDs (image-of-image document). However, spoofing through self-images goes one step further: here they use a well–made photo of someone else (mostly derived from social media) to pretend as if they are the holder of that ID. As selfie spoofing and document-based identity fraud threats continue to rise, organisations are resorting to rigorous identification verification methods.
In these cases, organisations take help from trustworthy identity verification providers. IDMERIT is a reputable provider of authentication services and it offers an all-inclusive solution for these concerns. Fortunately there are solutions that can help combat this growing menace. We have developed a solid Video KYC (Know Your Customer) platform that successfully prevents any possible selfie spoofing attempt at its initial stage. During the conversation, the user shows his or her ID and follows the guidance given by an expert so as to ensure whether the person matches the face given in the ID. With multiple levels involved, it becomes virtually impossible for fraudsters who have managed to get access into an account using somebody’ s official papers on different sites like social media or some other type of phone application. Every industry can reduce selfie spoofing related fraud risks through implementation of IDMERIT’s Video KYC solution which tackles document tampering too.
