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Sofi Summers

Sofi Summers is the Web Editor at Yoti and spends her days crafting digital experiences and curating content that informs and engages.

Synthetic identity fraud is committed by the theft of a real piece of persoanl information such as an SSN, and combined with false information to make up an entirely synthetic identity that often bypasses traditional checks

What is synthetic identity fraud? How it works and how to prevent it

What is synthetic identity fraud? Synthetic identities are fake identities, built by combining real and made-up information, earning them the nickname “Frankenstein IDs” due to their pieced-together nature. Synthetic identity fraud is different to traditional identity fraud as it doesn’t involve an obvious, immediate consumer victim. These fake profiles are designed to mimic real customers, often slipping past traditional fraud detection systems because they don’t raise typical red flags. As a result, the primary victims of synthetic identity fraud are businesses and lenders, who bear the financial losses.   How synthetic identities are created and used

8 min read
Graphic depicting the balance security and user experience with robust authentication methods such as MFA, biometrics and passwordless, versus a traditional username and password

Beyond passwords: exploring modern authentication methods for secure login

As online threats grow more sophisticated, the way we authenticate users needs to evolve. This blog explores the modern authentication methods which can support or replace passwords, such as biometrics and verified digital IDs, and how businesses can use them to protect accounts, reduce fraud and build trust with users.   What is authentication? Authentication is the process of verifying that someone is who they say they are, typically before granting them access to a service or system. Traditionally, this has involved entering a username and password, something only the user should know.   Are passwords enough to keep

6 min read
Illustration of email based age estimation to determine if user is over 18

Verifying age with email address age estimation

As legislation increasingly serves to protect children online, businesses and platform operators require efficient and privacy-conscious methods to verify user ages. Email address verification is just one of these methods, leveraging email metadata to estimate a user’s age without collecting further personal information. This guide explores how email age estimation works, its reliability, regulatory compliance, and how it performs as a tool for businesses that wish to balance user experience and risk.   What is email address age verification? Email address age verification is a method of age assurance used by websites and online operators to determine

5 min read