How do I protect my organization against online fraud?
Fraud remains a stealthy danger for companies in the Netherlands. Although many organizations have confidence in their own measures, research points to a hard reality: fraud affects an overwhelming majority of businesses and causes serious financial damage.
Fraud Statistics in 2023/2024
The annual fraud research shows that no less than 69% of companies in 2023/2024 faced fraud attempts. In 91% of the cases, this led to actual harm. These figures make clear that fraud is not a marginal issue but a widespread risk. Moreover, the financial consequences are significant:
55% of the damage cases resulted in a loss of more than €50,000.
16% of the damage cases exceeded €200,000.
In cases of internal fraud, 2% of companies suffered more than €1 million in damage, while for external fraud, this rose to 5%.
These figures underline that the impact of fraud is not only widespread but also poses a serious threat to the financial health of organizations.
Source: Allianz Trade.
The Dangerous Gap between Perception and Reality
A notable conclusion from the research is the difference between how companies perceive fraud and its actual impact. 95% of companies are satisfied with their existing measures and security protocols. Yet, a majority indicates that fraud as a threat is growing. However, many organizations continue to believe they are not at great risk themselves.
This sense of security is often unjustified. The figures show that the chance of becoming a victim is significant, with potentially devastating consequences. This contrast between confidence in self-measures and the real risks points to a false sense of security.
Uninsured against Fraud: A Risk Many Companies Take
Another concerning aspect is that less than half of the companies have insurance against fraud. As a result, organizations often rely entirely on their own reserves when affected. This can be especially disastrous for small and medium-sized businesses, as they often have fewer resources to absorb such losses.
Tools to Prevent Fraud
While fraud can be difficult to detect due to sophisticated methods, there are various measures companies can take to reduce their risk:
IBAN-Name Check: The IBAN-Name Check compares the beneficiary's name with the name known by the bank for the specified IBAN number. This helps prevent payments to incorrect accounts and minimizes the risk of fraud and errors when transferring money.
Identity Verification: Identity verification ensures that a customer's identity is checked securely and reliably. This can be done through a combination of documents, biometric data, and other verification methods. This way, you know who you are dealing with, and the chance of fraud is reduced because you can verify the customer's authenticity and prevent unauthorized access.
Digital Authorization: Digital authorization offers extra assurance when granting authorization, preventing unauthorized debits. By using legally valid digital authorization through the beneficiary's bank, you reduce the chance of fraud. This adds an extra layer of control because only verified authorizations are accepted.
Conclusion
Fraud is a growing danger that companies should not underestimate. Trust in existing measures often proves unjustified, and the financial damage can be substantial. Companies that invest in prevention and protection now can better equip themselves against this threat and avoid becoming one of the victims losing millions annually. Bluem offers a comprehensive package of services, such as IBAN-Name check, IDIN, ID-scanning, and direct debit authorization, which reduce organizations' risk of fraud.