Use your voice and access your account

A new British company recently launched a service using that most basic human trait - a recognisable and distinctive (unique) voice to combat credit card and online banking fraud (deception/cheating).

Under this service, when a consumer uses a credit card or tries to access an online bank account, for instance, besides the security checks such as passwords or PIN codes, the service automatically phones the user to verify (check) their identity.

It uses voice recognition technology to check that the person is exactly who they say they are. The technology is already in use with a leading bank, allowing customers to get easy access to their accounts and even trade shares over the phone.

It is also used by the American prison service to keep track of offenders (wrong-doers) released on parole (early release). The service has merged the technology with its own secure (safe) communications capability to create the ring-back service which gives consumers an extra level of security.

It is already in talks with a number of banks and hopes to have its first installations towards the end of the year.

Rising credit card fraud, especially online, has led financial institutions to introduce extra security.

While chip and PIN cards have made physical transactions with credit cards more secure, this is of little use on the web. The new service works over any phone it has been instructed to call. Users do not have to remember any new passwords or PIN codes, just their voice.

The Guardian