In the latest instalment of our anti-fraud industry executive interview series spoke to Nathalie Newman (pictured), VP of Global Partnerships at TMT ID about the threats posed by social engineering and synthetic identities, the opportunities and issues presented by mobile push payments, advancements in AI and the road ahead for decentralised identity solutions…
Tell us about your company, products and services.
At TMT ID, we specialise in leveraging mobile network operator data to provide next-generation mobile identity and number intelligence. By tapping into rich live data behind mobile numbers, we enable businesses to verify identities, detect and mitigate fraud, accurately route SMS and voice calls, and comply with regulatory requirements. We empower organisations across industries – from e-commerce to financial services – to make safer, smarter verification & authentication decisions throughout a customer’s lifecycle.
What have been the biggest challenges the Fraud industry has faced over the past 12 months?
One of the most significant challenges has been the increasing sophistication of tools available, particularly in areas like social engineering and synthetic identity fraud. Scammers are leveraging tools like AI to learn, write, and fabricate highly convincing documents, making detection trickier. Additionally, navigating the patchwork of global regulations and ensuring compliance across multiple jurisdictions has added another layer of difficulty for businesses, for example, more than half of businesses surveyed about age restrictions had no idea what level of verification constituted compliance.
And what have been the biggest opportunities?
The rise of mobile-centered push payments has created immense opportunities (and issues) for fraud prevention. Businesses are more willing than ever to adopt advanced, data-driven solutions to protect themselves and their customers, and the options available are immense. At TMT ID, we’ve seen growing interest in mobile network data as a trusted source of real-time identity verification, particularly in combating SIM swap fraud and account takeover attempts, places like Brazil and India have seen immense growth, and we’re proud to be helping secure their online environments.
What is the biggest priority for the Fraud industry in 2025?
The priority for 2025 will be collaboration – within the mobile identity space, across industries, borders, and technologies. Fraud prevention cannot exist in silos; it requires partnerships between financial institutions, telecoms, governments, and technology providers.
What are the main trends you are expecting to see in the market in 2025?
More AI. We’ve had a lot already, but continued advancements in machine learning to spot anomalies better than before.
More biometric adoption, though biometric solutions need to stay ahead of voice and video deepfakes.
Global standardisation – we’ll see efforts to homogenise regulations and best practices across borders, particularly in response to cross-border fraud. Countries leading the charge will give the world blueprints for how regulations should and shouldn’t be carried out.
Another big thing is age-restricted products and content. Regulations surrounding age restrictions are tightening rapidly, so I think solutions able to accurately verify the age of users or buyers are going to be in high demand.
What technology is going to have the biggest impact on the market this coming year?
Decentralised identity solutions. As privacy concerns grow, decentralised systems that empower users to control their data – like self-sovereign identity platforms – are set to reshape how identity verification is done.
In 2025 we’ll all be talking about…?
Again, I’ve got to say decentralised identity solutions. This technology – paired with digital identity tokens and identity wallets – is set to revolutionise how individuals manage and share their credentials securely.
Which person in, or associated with, the Fraud industry would you most like to meet?
It would be fascinating to meet someone like Frank Abagnale (the real-life inspiration for Catch Me If You Can). His insights into the mindset of fraudsters and his transition to preventing fraud would make for a fantastic conversation.
What’s the most surprising thing you’ve learnt about the Fraud sector?
How often fraud prevention efforts can unintentionally hinder a legitimate customer experience. Balancing security with user convenience is a delicate act, and sometimes, measures designed to stop fraud can make processes more cumbersome or alienate customers. It’s a surprising challenge to find that balance, especially when the intention is to protect rather than complicate.
You go to the bar at the Fraud Prevention Summit – what’s your tipple of choice?
A classic Old Fashioned – simple, effective, and timeless.
What’s the most exciting thing about your job?
Our goal is to give every end user a safe, trustworthy and enjoyable mobile experience – so seeing the direct impact of our technology in real-world scenarios is incredibly rewarding. It’s definitely the most exciting when our customers tell us we’ve helped them save millions, reduced their stressful fraud problem, or shaved 3 steps off their onboarding process. It makes the hard work worth it.
And what’s the most challenging?
Balancing innovation with compliance. We want to push boundaries and deliver the best solutions, but we must also navigate complex regulatory landscapes and prioritise the most important part of identity – privacy. We don’t store or hand out any PII and we never will, it just means we need to be especially innovative.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
“Never copy the market, listen to your customers.” Listening applies to everything – team dynamics, leaders in tech, even fraudsters. But this is especially relevant to understanding customer needs, your customer will tell you exactly where to go next, you just need to listen.
Succession or Stranger Things?
Stranger Things – how can you not love Sean Astin, Winona Ryder, and David Harbour? Team Steve all the way.
