Metro Bank Holdings PLC (MTRO)

(Alliance News) - Metro Bank Holdings PLC has launched an AI-powered scam detection service which will let customers send a WhatsApp message to check whether they are at risk from fraud.

It says it has become the first UK bank to partner with award-winning AI scam detector Ask Silver.

The Metro Bank Scam Checker will be available on WhatsApp and will enable users to take a screenshot or photo of any email, webpage, letter or leaflet that they believe to be suspicious and send it to scam checker.

Using AI, the checker will then identify if the communication is fraudulent and provide suggestions and guidance on the next steps to take in order to stay safe.

The bank said it had launched the tool because of the increasing threat of fraud and scams, highlighting data from UK Finance which shows that more than GBP1 billion was lost to fraud, including scams, in 2023, with this type of offence accounting for more than four in 10 of all crimes in the UK.

Baz Thompson, head of fraud at Metro Bank, 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."

Ask Silver was founded by Alex Somervell and Jonny Pryn after Somervell's relative was scammed out of GBP150,000 – most of their life savings.

"We're thrilled to join forces with Metro Bank to empower its customers in the fight against fraud and scams," he said.

"This partnership marks a pivotal step in safeguarding financial security and we hope it's just the beginning.

"We're building the most human-focused anti-scam company, and partnering with customer-focused financial institutions like Metro Bank is core to that.

"We want to work together with banks, public institutions and the public to keep our loved ones safe, as well as their hard-earned money."

Metro Bank shares were 7.1% lower at 78.50 pence each on Monday morning in London.

By Martyn Landi, PA Technology Correspondent

Press Association: Finance

source: PA

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