New customers at National Australia Bank (NAB) will soon be required to take a selfie as part of an updated process for opening accounts or products online. This measure is intended to reduce incidents of identity theft and other forms of fraud, according to the bank.
The new procedure will also require customers to scan an identification document, such as a driver’s license or passport, and use their mobile phone to match their face with the image on the ID. The rollout is scheduled to begin in September for select products, with plans for expansion across more account types in the following months.
This initiative builds on NAB’s existing efforts to strengthen digital banking security. Recent actions include implementing confirmation of payee features in digital channels, removing links from text messages, introducing payment alerts within digital banking platforms, and making it more difficult for criminals to compromise bank phone numbers and message threads.
Les Matheson, NAB Group Chief Operating Officer, said that facial biometrics would add another layer of protection for customers. “We still have more to do, but this is a simple and fast way we can help protect customers against fraud and scams,” Mr Matheson said.
“This initiative will make it harder for criminals to open fraudulent accounts or apply for fraudulent credit cards using documents they’ve stolen from the dark web or from someone’s letter box.
“This sort of technology is already used for other services, including things like passport applications and we’ve designed the experience to be simple for customers to follow.”
Currently, around 2 million NAB customers each month use biometric authentication methods such as FaceID or fingerprints when logging into the NAB App or Internet Banking. The bank also employs behavioral biometrics as part of its strategy to detect suspicious transactions.
The introduction of facial biometric identification aligns with NAB’s broader scam prevention strategy and supports the banking industry’s Scam Safe Accord launched in 2023. The Accord outlines priority areas where banks are working together on anti-scam measures.
“While we must do more and we will, criminals operate beyond laws and regulations,” Mr Matheson said.
“That’s why every part of the scam ecosystem needs to remain focused on stopping the crime before it happens.”