Staying Ahead of Cyber Threats: Mastercard survey reveals emerging concerns among consumers in Latin America and the Caribbean
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deepfakestechnical
Deepfakes are audio, video or image content created or altered by artificial intelligence to make people appear to say, do, or be somewhere they did not. They matter to investors because a convincing fake can trigger sudden market moves, enable fraud, manipulate sentiment, or harm a company’s reputation—similar to a counterfeit document or forged signature sparking real financial consequences and regulatory scrutiny.
voice cloningtechnical
Voice cloning is technology that creates a synthetic copy of a person’s speaking voice from audio samples, allowing new words or sentences to be generated in that same voice. For investors, it matters because the capability can open revenue streams in media, advertising, customer service, and accessibility while also creating legal, privacy and regulatory risks that can affect a company’s costs, reputation and future liability—like a digital impersonator that can be used for good or harm.
real-time transfersfinancial
Real-time transfers are electronic movements of funds that are authorized, routed and made available to the recipient within seconds, rather than hours or days. For investors this matters because instant settlement improves a company’s cash flow visibility and lowers the risk that payments fail or are delayed—similar to having cash in hand instead of waiting for a check to clear—which affects liquidity, working capital and short-term financial planning.
digital walletsfinancial
A digital wallet is an app or online service that lets people store and use payment details, identification, loyalty cards, or cryptocurrency on a phone or computer—think of it as a virtual version of a physical wallet that can pay for things, prove identity, or hold digital assets. Investors care because widespread use changes how consumers pay, shifts revenue toward companies that control these payment flows, and introduces technology, security and regulatory risks that can affect profits and valuation.
biometricstechnical
Biometrics are measurable physical or behavioral traits—like fingerprints, facial features, voice patterns, heart rate or gait—that uniquely identify or monitor a person, similar to how a key or signature proves identity. Investors care because biometric technology drives products and services in security, payments and health monitoring, affecting revenue opportunities, adoption trends and regulatory or privacy risks that can influence a company’s value and future growth.
tokenizationtechnical
Tokenization is the process of converting real-world assets or rights into digital tokens stored on a computer network. This allows assets, such as property or investments, to be divided into smaller parts, making them easier to buy, sell, or transfer electronically. For investors, tokenization can increase access to a wider range of investments and make transactions faster and more efficient.
cybersecuritytechnical
Cybersecurity involves protecting computers, networks, and digital information from theft, damage, or unauthorized access. It is essential for safeguarding sensitive data and maintaining trust in digital systems, which matters to investors because strong cybersecurity reduces the risk of costly breaches and disruptions that can impact a company’s performance and reputation. Think of it as locking and safeguarding valuable information much like securing a safe to prevent theft.
threat intelligencetechnical
Threat intelligence is actionable information about cyber risks—who might attack, how they operate, and what systems or data are vulnerable—gathered from monitoring networks, software behavior, and public reports. For investors it matters because strong threat intelligence helps a company prevent disruptions, avoid costly breaches and fines, and protect reputation, much like a weather forecast and neighborhood watch help a community prepare for storms and deter crime.
AI-driven fraud, including deepfakes and voice cloning, are reshaping security concerns as consumers embrace modern forms of payments.
The good news: consumers trust their providers – especially financial institutions and networks like Mastercard – to keep their money and data safe and feel confident they can protect themselves in the digital spaces.
MIAMI--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
Today, Mastercard released the findings of its latest regional survey focused on cybersecurity sentiment across Latin America and the Caribbean. It reveals that as digital payments become mainstream, and convenience grows, a new paradox is emerging across the region: while consumers are becoming increasingly confident in their ability to navigate the digital world, fear of fraud and scams remains their most pressing concern.
According to a recent regional survey, eight in ten Latin Americans (80%) say they feel capable of protecting themselves online — a clear indicator of the region’s growing digital maturity. Yet, nearly half (47%) identify fraud and scams as their biggest frustration when making digital transactions, highlighting a critical tension between confidence and caution in an era of expanding financial inclusion.
“As the region continues its digital transformation journey, people live in a dual reality — they are confident, digitally savvy, and open to innovation, but also aware that scams are becoming more sophisticated,” said Ana Lucia Magliano, Executive Vice President, Services, Mastercard Latin America and the Caribbean. “This data reinforces the collective opportunity to close the trust gap with solutions that help organizations and consumers stay ahead of threats.”
To protect people in the digital space, Mastercard goes beyond securing transactions to safeguarding every digital interaction. The company leverages artificial intelligence, advanced analytics, and behavioral modeling to anticipate and prevent cyber threats before they occur — backed by a $11 billion investment in cybersecurity over the past five years. Mastercard recently launched Mastercard Threat Intelligence – the first solution of its kind to apply threat intelligence at scale across the payments ecosystem, enabling banks to detect and respond to emerging threats before fraud occurs.
Digital Confidence Meets Caution
Consumers’ engagement with digital finance has surged across the region, with debit cards (89%) and credit cards (84%) now dominating daily transactions. Newer payment technologies are also on the rise — real-time transfers (79%) and digital wallets (74%) are quickly gaining traction as consumers embrace speed and convenience.
But this same momentum has brought new anxieties. Beyond fraud and scams, privacy concerns (32%) related to how personal or financial data is used or shared, continue to unsettle users. The emergence of AI-driven fraud, including deepfakes and voice cloning, is particularly alarming — cited by 43% of respondents as an emerging threat that is reshaping perceptions of safety in digital spaces.
The New Face of Fraud
Traditional schemes are evolving fast. Phone and voice scams remain the most common type of fraud in Latin America (32%), followed closely by social media and phishing attacks. These tactics, increasingly powered by advanced technologies, have made it harder for even the most tech-savvy consumers to distinguish what is real from what is fake, fueling both vigilance and frustration.
Trust and Transparency are keys to Digital Growth
The data also underscores the importance of trust in sustaining digital adoption. Banks (89%) and payment networks such as Mastercard (82%) emerged as the most trusted institutions for keeping money and data safe. This trust forms a crucial foundation for continued digital growth in a region where inclusion and innovation are reshaping how people pay and get paid.
Consumers also voiced clear preferences for features that enhance their sense of security:
Proactive alerts and monitoring tools (59%)
Clear fraud protection and reimbursement policies (57%)
Stronger authentication methods such as biometrics or passkeys (53%)
These expectations reveal an industry opportunity: to combine education, transparency, and intuitive security design that empower consumers while maintaining the region’s digital momentum.
Linking Innovation and Safety
Even as threats evolve, optimism remains high. More than half of consumers say they’re most excited about faster, simpler payments (51%) and safer online checkout enabled by biometrics and tokenization (31%), innovations that blend convenience with trust.
“These findings show that the digital economy will continue to accelerate when we make trust and security inseparable from innovation,” added Magliano. “People want safety they can see — like alerts or biometrics — backed by strong, invisible protections that work behind the scenes.”
At the annual Mastercard Innovation Forum this December, Mastercard explores how it is securing the digital ecosystem with Mastercard Threat Intelligence as well as other solutions helping businesses grow, digitize, and protect their business. Read about Mastercard's full line-up of activity at the conference here.
Scope and methodology of research
The study was led by Mastercard and conducted by the independent research agency Many Minds Group. In October 2025, a quantitative online survey was carried out among 3,577 adults across 12 Latin American and Caribbean countries: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Guatemala, Mexico, Panama, Peru, and Puerto Rico. The sample included banked consumers who had made e-commerce purchases or used online banking in the past six months, representing the general online population aged 18 to 65.
About Mastercard
Mastercard powers economies and empowers people in 200+ countries and territories worldwide. Together with our customers, we’re building a resilient economy where everyone can prosper. We support a wide range of digital payments choices, making transactions secure, simple, smart and accessible. Our technology and innovation, partnerships and networks combine to deliver a unique set of products and services that help people, businesses and governments realize their greatest potential.
http://www.mastercard.com/
