NAB Launches Selfie Biometrics for Better Fraud Protection

Published Date : 8/27/2025 

National Australia Bank (NAB) is set to implement facial matching technology for identity verification starting September 2025, aiming to combat identity fraud and scams. 

National Australia Bank (NAB), one of the country’s largest financial institutions, is taking a significant step towards enhancing security and fraud prevention with the introduction of selfie biometrics. Starting September 2025, new customers will be required to verify their identity through facial matching technology. According to 9 News, this move is intended to curb identity fraud, which impacts over 255,000 Australians annually.

An explainer on the NAB website states, “providing a selfie is now central to how new customers will join NAB when they open a product or account. It’s part of our ongoing commitment to tackle fraud and scams and designed to help reduce the impact of crime stemming from identity theft.” The bank highlights that opening fraudulent accounts and applying for fraudulent credit cards are common crimes resulting from identity theft.

The selfie system will match face biometrics to a scanned identity document, such as a driver’s license or passport. NAB Executive, Group Investigations Chris Sheehan, emphasizes that the introduction of selfie-based identity verification is crucial for ensuring the authenticity of new account holders. “It’s about making sure the person opening the account is who they say they are – and stopping fraud at the front door,” Sheehan said.

While the system is not mandatory, NAB assures customers that alternative options will be available for those who cannot or do not wish to use the digital process. The bank is also implementing additional measures to combat fraud and scams. These include eliminating links from text messages, introducing payment alerts to digital banking, and blocking transactions to some cryptocurrency platforms where higher prevalence of scams has been detected.

Stopping scams requires a comprehensive approach, and NAB is actively collaborating with other banks, telecommunications companies, digital platforms, and the government to enhance security. “Stopping scams takes a whole-of-ecosystem response,” Sheehan noted. “We’re helping Australians understand the red flags they need to look out for and working closely with other banks, telcos, digital platforms, and government to stop the crime in the first place.”

Australia has been grappling with fraud for several years. In 2023, the country’s banks collaborated on the Scam Safe Accord, a “new offensive in the war on scams,” which aimed to introduce obligatory biometric checks for the opening of new accounts. NAB’s recent move aligns with this initiative.

In 2024, five of Australia’s largest banks—NAB, ANZ, CBA, Suncorp Bank, and Westpac—launched the BioCatch Trust Network, “the world’s first inter-bank, behavior-based, financial crime intelligence-sharing network.” This network enables real-time assessment of the trustworthiness of transactions and accounts, allowing transfers to be halted before any money changes hands.

This week, Macquarie Bank joined the network. David Sheehan, Head of Client Protection at Macquarie Bank, stated that “joining the Trust network was a natural next step in our broader scam prevention initiatives, including real-time payment controls, behavioral biometrics, and our standalone two-factor authentication app, Macquarie Authenticator.”

NAB’s introduction of selfie biometrics is a significant step towards enhancing security and protecting customers from identity fraud and scams. By leveraging advanced biometric technology, the bank aims to create a safer and more secure banking environment for all Australians. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS): 

Q: What is NAB's new identity verification method?

A: NAB is implementing facial matching technology for identity verification, requiring new customers to provide a selfie starting September 2025.

Q: Why is NAB introducing this technology?

A: The primary goal is to combat identity fraud and scams, which impact over 255,000 Australians annually.

Q: Is the selfie system mandatory for all customers?

A: No, the system is not mandatory. Alternative options will be available for those who cannot or do not want to use the digital process.

Q: What other measures is NAB taking to prevent fraud?

A: NAB is eliminating links from text messages, introducing payment alerts to digital banking, and blocking transactions to some cryptocurrency platforms with a higher prevalence of scams.

Q: How is NAB collaborating with other entities to combat fraud?

A: NAB is working closely with other banks, telecommunications companies, digital platforms, and the government to enhance security and stop scams. 

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