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How Step-Up Authentication Enhances Fraud Detection

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Fraud threats are becoming more complex, and community banks and credit unions must protect customers without adding unnecessary friction. Within the Abrigo Fraud Detection solution, Step-Up Authentication gives your team the ability to verify high-risk transactions directly with customers in real time.

Fraud Analysts can send a text message to customers when a transaction appears suspicious, allowing them to confirm or deny the activity instantly. This process speeds up alert resolution, reduces false positives, and improves the overall customer experience—all while strengthening your fraud prevention efforts.

What is Step-Up Authentication?

Step-Up Authentication is a targeted security measure that triggers an extra layer of verification only when a transaction is considered high risk. Rather than applying multi-factor authentication to every action, it activates when something out of the ordinary is detected. Fraud Analysts can send a verification request via text message. The customer responds to confirm or deny the transaction, and the Fraud Analyst makes an informed decision based on the response. This approach keeps legitimate transactions moving while providing a stronger defense against fraud.

Customer collaboration

Text message verification allows Fraud Analysts to involve customers directly in the fraud review process.

Improves speed and accuracy of alert resolution

Minimizes disruption

Builds trust between the institution and its account holders

How it works

Step-Up Authentication provides an extra layer of security by verifying high-risk transactions before they are processed. It helps detect fraud while maintaining a smooth customer experience.

1. Suspicious activity detected

The solution identifies a potentially fraudulent transaction using Abrigo Fraud Detection and its multi-layered approach to fraud detection.

2. Customer verification request sent via text message

Fraud Analysts send a text message to the customer with a verification request.

3. Customer confirms or denies the transaction

The customer responds by confirming the transaction as valid or flagging it as fraud.

4. Transaction approved or blocked

Fraud Analysts review the customer's response and choose whether to approve or decline the transaction.

5. Final decision logged for future fraud prevention

All authentication attempts and customer responses are securely recorded for audit and ongoing fraud analysis. This data helps improve fraud detection strategies and supports stronger decision-making.

Proactive, real-time protection

By involving customers through quick text message verification, Step-Up Authentication helps your institution prevent fraud while ensuring legitimate transactions continue without delay.

Ready to strengthen your fraud prevention strategy?

See how Step-Up Authentication and Abrigo Fraud Detection work together to protect your institution and your customers.