How to Identify Synthetic Identity TheftSynthetic Identity Fraud Red Flags to Watch for
How to Spot Synthetic Identity Theft Before It’s Too Late
There are more than a few tools and techniques merchants can use to uncover and block your typical fraudulent transaction. Synthetic identities, however, are an amalgam of real and fabricated data; standard rules-based verification procedures may fail to detect them prior to purchases.
That leaves the job to more sophisticated tools, like software that leverages AI and machine learning, for example. Or, manual reviews to weed out non-existent customers. A combination of both is ideal, where software flags suspicious buyers and your team follows up.
Synthetic Identity Fraud Red Flags
With or without specialized software, you need to be aware of some common warning signs that may signal synthetic identities:
New Accounts
New customers are great… as long as they’re actually customers and not fake identities. Pay attention to first-time buyers, especially any who are making large or unusual purchases in their first order.
Mismatched Specifics
A 45-year-old customer with a 5-year credit history seems unlikely, doesn’t it? Something fishy like that could point to a synthetic identity. A 20-year-old with a 10-year job history? Same thing. It’s not that these situations couldn’t exist, but it would smell a little iffy. Check to make sure the personal details make sense.
Limited Online Presence
Along the same lines, a synthetic identity’s alleged age often won’t match its digital footprint. On average, people in the US have six or seven social media accounts; nearly everyone has at least one. A limited or nonexistent online presence is worth checking. New accounts with few posts are also suspicious.
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Several Accounts With Minor Variations
Once they’ve verified stolen information, fraudsters will milk it by opening multiple accounts with slight changes to some of the made-up details. Be leery of too many orders addressed to “almost” the same buyer, particularly if the orders are similar.
Shipping to Forwarding Agents
Fraudsters can’t have multiple orders from different cards shipping to the same physical address. It would raise too many eyebrows. Instead, they’ll frequently rely on freight forwarding services to hide their actual locations (which could even be outside the country).
Odd or Unusual Shopping Patterns
Customers — even synthetic ones — tend to establish patterns. For example, buyers who make consistent purchases of the same easy-to-resell merchandise may not be who they seem. Also be aware of transactions that deviate considerably from previous buying behavior.
Rapid Rise in Average Ticket Value
A sudden jump in the size and value of orders could be the tell-tale sign of an impending bust-out. This is where the fraudster maxes out all available credit resources, then ditches the persona. Beware if a customer suddenly makes an unexpected, atypical big-ticket purchase.
Using a Temporary Email Address
Pretty much anyone can obtain an anonymous, disposable email address, or create an account using a Voiceover Internet Protocol (VoIP) phone number. There’s little valid reason to use a temporary email address for an online purchase. So, if the buyer can’t be contacted directly, then watch out.
Overall, what you’re looking for is any personal information or account activity that seems odd or differs from established norms. It’s also important to make sure your staff is likewise trained to recognize red flags of synthetic identities, and be on the lookout as they go about their daily work.
