Fraud continued to challenge financial institutions in 2025, and technology was a deciding factor in the fight against it. Entering the New Year, we are in the midst of an era of change in fraud prevention, including rapid technology adoption and new fraud detection requirements.
The most important issues in 2025 will be even more urgent in 2026. Fraudsters are using new technologies to target your customers, avoid scrutiny, and accelerate their scams — facing fewer obstacles in doing so. In this year-end blog, we share 5 key insights for fraud prevention in the coming year, and why financial institutions will need the power of a consortium approach and technology to keep pace.
1. Business Email Compromise & Authorized Push Payment Fraud
Authorized Push Payment (APP) fraud losses grew in the U.S. in 2024, as fraudsters increasingly exploited new technologies to target vulnerable customers and bypass heightened Business Email Compromise (BEC) controls.
In 2026, the race will continue as more scammers use AI to scale into more convincing virtual kidnapping and family emergency scams, compelling financial institutions to respond with more robust, AI-enabled solutions. Institutions can further bolster their defense by using a consortium solution, in tandem with AI, to quickly identify high-risk payee accounts.
2. ACH Fraud & New Nacha Rules
As BEC and APP fraud grow, ACH payments are continually exploited in these scams. Nacha’s total ACH payment value is increasing by $1 trillion each year — and fraudsters are following the money. This is exacerbated by high BEC volumes. Since more companies are using ACH for payroll and supplier payments, fraudsters who gain access to their account will transfer funds using the same payment method. Institutions using consortium analytics will identify these criminal payees before the funds clear.
Nacha has issued new rules to strengthen their network against APP scams, promoting detection across an entire ACH payment — from origination to receipt. Institutions will be working to implement new processes in time to meet the March 20, 2026 deadline and engaging vendor solutions to ensure compliance.
3. Holistic Defense Against Check Fraud
Check fraud has been a challenge for centuries, but the scale of the problem remains immense. An estimated $21 billion, or 80%, of global check fraud, took place in the Americas in 2023. More recently, 62% of financial institutions reported increased check fraud losses last year. While point solutions exist, their fragmented and disparate nature leaves financial institutions vulnerable.
In 2026, financial institutions will need a holistic check fraud solution to keep pace with evolving risk. An approach that combines real-time analysis, machine learning, and consortium analytics into one holistic solution will be necessary to ensure your institution can detect check fraud accurately while making funds available to customers quickly.
4. Fraud Detection Efficiency & AI
Financial institutions must embrace AI-powered solutions in 2026. Fraudsters are using AI to scale their typologies and deploy increasingly convincing social engineering tactics. This means institutions must also use AI to their advantage. In 2025, over 85% of financial firms were actively applying AI in areas such as fraud detection. AI can improve fraud detection by identifying uncharacteristic customer behavior while reducing false positive alerts — allowing investigators to focus on truly high-risk activity.
5. Using Consortium Analytics to Your Advantage
With high fraud risk across wire, check, ACH and instant payments, it was imperative in 2025 that institutions use consortium analytics to improve fraud detection. Consortium analytics review hundreds of millions of counterparties across thousands of financial institutions and identify when a payment is destined for a high-risk recipient or account. In 2026, more institutions will need to harness this approach as a difference-maker in fraud prevention.
2026 is a Year for Action
2026 will not be a year of incremental change; it will be a year of acceleration. Fraudsters will continue to innovate, but so will the financial industry. Institutions that combine advanced technology and AI with the collective strength of consortium analytics will be best positioned to protect customers and maintain trust. The time to act is now — because hesitation helps fraud thrive.
View our year-end webinar, Fraud Trends & Tech: Bridging an Era of Change to learn more about how to take action in 2026.
About the Expert
Corey Lynch
Director of Sales Communications and Product Liaison
Corey Lynch (CAMS) has been with Nasdaq Verafin since 2014, where he has dedicated his career to collaborating closely with financial institutions to understand their specific product requirements, identify opportunities for innovation and understand industry challenges. As a key contributor to the Sales, Product and Marketing teams, Corey leverages his extensive product expertise to guide prospective customer partners toward optimal solutions tailored for their institutions. In his current role as Director of Sales Engagement and Product Liaison, Corey serves as the critical connection point between industry needs and Nasdaq Verafin’s product capabilities. He remains deeply committed to empowering Nasdaq Verafin customers to reach their objectives while contributing to the broader mission of combating financial crime.
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