Latest cybersecurity reporting from selected sources.

Report Reveals Growing Trend of Fraudsters Intercepting SMS-Based VerificationFinancial institutions have historically relied on one-time passcodes as a primary authentication control for their accountholders. But OTP verification is less reliable as fraudsters increasingly exploit SMS-based verification weaknesses to carry out account takeover and payment fraud schemes.

Also: the Pentagon-Anthropic AI Legal Showdown, the New Reality of Document FraudIn this week's panel, four ISMG editors discuss the cyber activity tied to the U.S.-Israel-Iran conflict, the Pentagon's standoff with AI firm Anthropic and a new report that reveals how document fraud reflects deeper weaknesses in verification systems.

Findings From WEF's 2026 Report Show Shifting Cyber Priorities as AI Reshapes RiskCyber-enabled fraud has overtaken ransomware as the top cybersecurity concern for CEOs heading into 2026, according to the World Economic Forum's Global Cybersecurity Outlook 2026, released ahead of the Davos meeting. AI is a top emerging technology affecting both cyber risk and cyber defense.

Auto Lending Sector Is Hardest Hit by Scammers Using Synthetic IdentitiesSynthetic identity and credit washing fraud have hit another record high and are showing no signs of slowing down, according to a new report by TransUnion. Unscrupulous credit repair companies are adding to the problem by convincing people in debt to create new identities.

At-Bay Cyber Insurance Claims Report Finds 83% of Financial Fraud Starts With EmailFinancial fraud remains the leading driver of cyberinsurance claims, with 83% of cases traced back to email-based attacks. Common tactics used to deceive employees include wiring funds to fraudulent accounts, generative AI-crafted emails, executive and vendor impersonation and BEC scams.

Experts Weigh the Pros and Cons of Work Culture and Merging AML and Fraud TeamsA recent report found that more than 57,000 Americans fall victim to scams every day. Financial fraud is rising globally. In response, the National Automated Clearinghouse Association is pushing for real-time fraud monitoring by 2026, requiring closer collaboration between fraud and AML teams.

GAO: SSA Fails to Meet Industry and Federal Electronic Verification System GoalsThe Social Security Administration is facing criticism for failing to update its fraud prevention technology, leaving financial institutions and federal authorities at risk of missing synthetic identity scams, according to a new Government Accountability Office report.

Victims Reported $5.6 Billion in Financial Losses Associated With Crypto SchemesThe FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center on Monday issued a report revealing victims filed more than 69,000 public complaints related to cryptocurrency fraud and $5.6 billion in financial losses in 2023, while investment scams made up the bulk of losses throughout the year.

It's Time for Big Tech to Be Held Accountable for Rampant Online FraudFrom account takeover threats to fake investment schemes, it doesn't take much time on social media to stumble upon a scam. But if you try to report these bad actors to social platforms such as Facebook, you may have a hard time doing so. On Facebook, "scam" or "fraud" aren't reporting options.

BioCatch Survey Report Focuses on New AI-Based Risks and Fraud-Fighting SolutionsBanks are concerned about advancements in voice-cloning technology and the threat it poses to authentication. The failure of identity-centric solutions to combat synthetic identity fraud has convinced 91% of U.S. banks to reconsider their use of voice verification for major customers.

Kansas Bank Forced to Close After CEO Allegedly Embezzled Nearly $50 MillionA watchdog report reveals how Heartland Tri-State Bank CEO Shan Hanes allegedly defrauded a local church and investment club in Kansas out of $47.1 million through a "pig-butchering" cryptocurrency scam that ultimately caused the bank to fail in 2023.