Equifax has launched a product that uses artificial intelligence (AI) to detect and help prevent synthetic identity fraud.By completing this form, you agree to receive marketing communications from PYMNTS and to the sharing of your information with our sponsor, if applicable, in accordance with our Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions .Complete the form to unlock this article and enjoy unlimited free access to all PYMNTS content — no additional logins required.Synthetic identity fraud, in which fraudster ...

Core Insights - Equifax has launched a new product called Synthetic Identity Risk, which utilizes AI to combat synthetic identity fraud, a growing issue that leads to significant financial losses for lenders [1][4] - Synthetic identity fraud involves the creation of fictitious identities using real and fabricated elements, allowing fraudsters to open credit accounts and loans without detection [2] - The average loss per known synthetic identity is approximately $13,000, highlighting the financial impact on lenders [2] Product Features - Synthetic Identity Risk employs patent-pending technology to analyze identity data, credit history, and behavioral signals to assess the risk of synthetic identity activity [3] - The product can be used both at the account opening stage and as a continuous account management tool to identify hidden risks within a portfolio [3] - This holistic approach enables businesses to make informed, real-time decisions regarding identity verification and fraud prevention [3] Industry Impact - The rise of synthetic identity fraud poses a significant threat to the consumer lending ecosystem, prompting the need for enhanced fraud detection measures [4] - By implementing Synthetic Identity Risk, lenders can transition from reactive loss recovery to proactive fraud prevention, thereby reducing financial losses and fostering trust with legitimate customers [4]