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Account Takeover (ATO) fraud

Account Takeover (ATO) is a type of fraud where a malicious actor gains unauthorized access to a legitimate user's online account—such as banking, email, e-commerce, or social media—and uses it to commit fraud. This can involve making purchases, stealing funds, or gathering personal data, often locking the real user out in the process.

About Account Takeover (ATO) fraud

How is Account Takeover (ATO) different from identity theft?

Account Takeover targets existing accounts—someone breaks into your real bank, email, or shopping account and uses it as if they were you. Identity theft, on the other hand, involves creating new accounts or identities using your personal data. Think of ATO as someone stealing your house keys; identity theft is them building a fake house using your name.

What are early signs that my account has been taken over?

Watch for unexpected password reset emails, logins from unfamiliar devices or locations, unauthorized purchases, or changes in your contact info. If something seems off—like you're locked out or see transactions you didn’t make—it's time to act fast.

What can I do to protect myself from ATO attacks?

Use strong, unique passwords for each account and enable multi-factor authentication (preferably app-based, not SMS). Avoid public Wi-Fi for sensitive transactions, monitor your accounts regularly, and stay alert to phishing attempts. Most breaches happen due to human error—so education is your first line of defense.

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We provide templated identity verification workflows for common industries and can further design tailored workflows for your specific business.

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