Metro Bank has unveiled an AI-based scam detection service in collaboration with Ask Silver, aiming to assist customers in identifying fraudulent communications.
The tool, named the Metro Bank Scam Checker, enables personal and business clients to immediately determine if they are at risk of falling victim to scams.
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Customers of Metro Bank can now take a photograph or screenshot of any suspicious emails, websites, letters, or promotional material, and send the image via WhatsApp to the Metro Bank Scam Checker.
Ask Silver’s AI technology then analyses the content and informs the customer within moments whether it is fraudulent, offering guidance on how to proceed and stay secure.
This service is available free of charge to Metro Bank customers, enabling them to swiftly identify fraudulent activity and take necessary precautions.
The AI-driven tool offers results within “minutes”, providing customers with an effective means of avoiding impersonation scams and other types of fraudulent schemes.
Impersonation fraud has become a serious concern in the UK, with criminals increasingly posing as legitimate organisations to gain unauthorised access to personal accounts.
By partnering with Ask Silver, Metro Bank aims to reduce the impact of such fraud, empowering customers to identify deceptive communications and minimise the risk of falling prey to fraudsters.
UK Finance reports that more than £1bn ($1.28bn) was lost to fraud and scams in 2023 alone.
With the introduction of the Scam Checker, Metro Bank hopes to combat these losses by giving customers the means to recognise scams early and report them to the appropriate authorities.
The tool not only alerts customers to potential fraud but also automatically informs the relevant authorities, supporting both the financial sector and law enforcement in their efforts to combat crime.
Metro Bank reassures its customers that it will never ask for sensitive details, such as passwords, PINs, or security codes, via email or text message.
Ask Silver was established by Alex Somervell and Jonny Pryn, inspired by a personal tragedy when a close relative of Alex’s lost £150,000 in a scam.
This experience motivated the pair to develop technology that could protect others from similar financial harm.
Metro Bank Fraud head Baz Thompson said: “This new partnership with Ask Silver is a game changer in protecting customers from fraud and helping to stop crime.
“We take the security of our customers very seriously and constantly review how we can help them fight fraud. “Criminals often play on urgency and speed to trick people into parting ways with their hard-earned cash.
“Being able to offer a service where customers can know in minutes whether something is fraudulent provides an essential barrier to staying one step ahead of fraudsters.”
