Small and Midsize Business Lending Fraud Rises Over the Past Year, with Lenders Anticipating Further Increases in the Year Ahead

Rhea-AI Summary

LexisNexis Risk Solutions' latest study reveals a significant increase in small and medium-sized business (SMB) lending fraud, with over 80% of respondents reporting a nearly 14% rise over the past year. Key findings include:

1. Stolen legitimate business and consumer/owner identities are the most common fraud types.
2. 70% of organizations have adjusted their fraud detection strategies.
3. Companies anticipate overall losses between 6% and 10%, with 17% due to reduced friction in approval processes.
4. There's a shift towards tech-driven fraud prevention, including advanced identity solutions.

The study recommends enhancing identity proofing, adopting a multi-layered approach, focusing on early-stage fraud detection, and sharing intelligence through consortiums to combat SMB lending fraud effectively.

Positive

• 70% of organizations have adjusted their strategies for detecting and mitigating fraud
• Companies are enhancing fraud prevention efforts by integrating advanced identity solutions
• Fintech/digital lenders have shown remarkable improvement in fraud prevention

Negative

• SMB lending fraud has increased by nearly 14% over the last year
• Most lenders expect fraud levels to continue to increase in the coming months
• Companies anticipate overall losses between 6% and 10% due to fraud
• 17% of fraud losses are due to efforts to reduce friction in approval processes

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According to a LexisNexis Risk Solutions Study, Digital Channels See Biggest Increase in SMB Lending Fraud 

ATLANTA, Sept. 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Small and medium-sized business (SMB) lending fraud has increased by a double-digit percentage year over year, with most lenders expecting fraud levels to continue to increase in the coming months, as revealed by the latest edition of the LexisNexis® Risk Solutions Small and Midsize Business Lending Fraud Study. Overall, more than 80% of respondents said that SMB lending fraud has risen by nearly 14% over the last year, even as lenders are less willing to issue new credit.

SMB lending fraud is increasing at consistent rates but is gradually moving away from the influence of the pandemic. Notably, SMB lending fraud is typically caught within the first month of a new customer relationship.

Organizations recognize that reducing SMB lending fraud can lead to increased revenues and improved customer loyalty. With most fraud losses attributed to digital channels, 70% of organizations have adjusted their strategies for detecting and mitigating fraud. This shift highlights a proactive approach within the industry, with many lenders tightening their mobile and online transaction policies. While smaller banks and credit unions are balancing their policies, larger institutions are adopting stricter measures.

Key Findings on SMB Lending Fraud

• Top Methods of Fraudsters: In the period surveyed, stolen legitimate business identity and stolen consumer/owner identity have emerged as the most common type of SMB lending fraud, making detection particularly challenging. Recognizing that reducing SMB lending fraud can lead to increased revenues and improved customer loyalty, organizations are enhancing their detection capabilities. However, balancing fraud detection with minimizing customer friction remains a key concern.
• Shift to Tech-Driven Fraud Prevention: There is an anticipated shift from labor-centric to tech-driven fraud prevention as companies face a recurring challenge in managing and mitigating fraud risks. SMB lending fraud is a shared concern across industries, with most companies anticipating overall losses between 6% and 10%. About 17% of these losses are due to efforts to reduce friction in approval processes.
• Increase in Proactive Fraud Prevention: Businesses are enhancing their fraud prevention efforts by integrating advanced identity solutions like behavioral biometrics, geolocation and real-time transaction scoring to bolster their anti-fraud initiatives. Fintech/digital Lenders have shown remarkable improvement in this area.

"Though the perception exists that SMBs have complex structures, our annual study shows that lenders employing a multi-layered solutions approach, integrated with cybersecurity and digital channel operations, experience more positive outcomes when lending to small businesses," said Tom Hunt, director, business risk strategy, LexisNexis Risk Solutions. "These include reduced fraud losses as a percentage of annual revenue and a slower rate of increase in SMB lending fraud."

Top Four Recommendations for Preventing SMB Lending Fraud

• Enhance Identity Proofing: Identity proofing encompasses both verification and authentication processes. While verification is a critical step, it may not be sufficient on its own to detect sophisticated fraud attempts. Authentication solutions offer a more dynamic and advanced approach to fraud detection and prevention, especially in remote channel applications where the risk of fraud is higher. Additionally, businesses need advanced fraud detection systems beyond manual methods. Utilizing technology is essential for effectively identifying and addressing fraud while minimizing inconvenience to customers.
• Adopt a Multi-Layered Approach: Businesses should implement a multi-layered approach to authentication by combining different solutions to address unique risks from different channels, payment methods and products. This approach should integrate cybersecurity with fraud prevention efforts and employ advanced solutions like OTP/two-factor authentication, biometrics and behavioral biometrics. 
• Focus on Early-Stage Fraud Detection: New account opening is a crucial stage in the customer journey as well as fraud assessment at the point of origination. Maintaining robust screening solutions while managing the right amount of friction is key. This includes checks for fake or suspicious identification numbers, such as Social Security Numbers (SSN) and Tax Identification Numbers (TIN). A significant portion of fraud cases are identifiable and then prevented by enhancing the screening process.
• Share Intelligence: Businesses should leverage the power of collective intelligence through consortiums and digital identity networks. By participating in a consortium, companies can share valuable data, creating a peer-based intelligence layer that allows them to gain greater context, secure their digital channels against cybercriminal networks and make smarter, real-time risk decisions.

Methodology
The study surveyed 135 individuals working at banks, credit unions, fintech/digital lenders and payment processors with responsibility for risk and fraud assessments or decisions for SMB customers. SMBs are businesses earning up to $10 million annually. The study set out to better understand SMB lending fraud, specifically its volume, how institutions identify and track fraud, the types of fraud experienced, what institutions are doing to combat fraud and whether there are differences in SMB lending fraud based on the size or type of organization.

Download the latest LexisNexis Risk Solutions Small and Mid-Sized Business (SMB) Lending Fraud Study.

About LexisNexis Risk Solutions
LexisNexis® Risk Solutions harnesses the power of data, sophisticated analytics platforms and technology solutions to provide insights that help businesses across multiple industries and governmental entities reduce risk and improve decisions to benefit people around the globe. Headquartered in metro Atlanta, Georgia, we have offices throughout the world and are part of RELX (LSE: REL/NYSE: RELX), a global provider of information-based analytics and decision tools for professional and business customers. For more information, please visit LexisNexis Risk Solutions and RELX.

Media Contact:
Marcy Theobald
678.860.3639
marcy.theobald@lexisnexisrisk.com             

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SOURCE LexisNexis Risk Solutions

FAQ

What is the percentage increase in SMB lending fraud according to the LexisNexis Risk Solutions study?

According to the study, SMB lending fraud has increased by nearly 14% over the last year.

What are the most common types of SMB lending fraud identified in the study?

The most common types of SMB lending fraud identified are stolen legitimate business identity and stolen consumer/owner identity.

What percentage of organizations have adjusted their fraud detection strategies for SMB lending?

70% of organizations have adjusted their strategies for detecting and mitigating SMB lending fraud.

What is the anticipated range of overall losses due to SMB lending fraud?

Companies anticipate overall losses between 6% and 10% due to SMB lending fraud.

What are the top recommendations for preventing SMB lending fraud according to the study?

The top recommendations are: enhance identity proofing, adopt a multi-layered approach, focus on early-stage fraud detection, and share intelligence through consortiums and digital identity networks.