- Fraud Protection: Since 2015, DSPortal Has Reviewed Around 50 Million Applications and Detected Over 300,000 Fraud Attempts – Preventing €12.5 Billion in Losses
- Main Attack Vector: Manipulated income statements are the most common type of fraud, followed by false identities and forged bank statements.
- Broad Usage: Over 70% of all financed or leased vehicles in Germany are processed through DSPortal – making it a key tool for banks and financial service providers.
From credit, commission, and transfer fraud to insolvency offenses and vehicle embezzlement: The German Fraud Protection Portal (DSPortal) has reviewed nearly 50 million applications for loans, leasing contracts, and other financial services since 2015. More than 300,000 of these were identified as potential fraud attempts. Since its launch, the platform has prevented an estimated total loss of around €12.5 billion, based on an average loan amount roughly equivalent to the price of a new car at €41,800 – making a significant contribution to combating fraud in financial services. Now, DSPortal celebrates its tenth anniversary.
Manipulated Income Statements Are the Most Common Fraud Type
DSPortal is operated by the information services provider CRIF, which developed the platform on the initiative of the Association of German Banks. The idea: to pool expertise in detecting fraud attempts through a centralized platform. Using state-of-the-art technology, DSPortal continuously monitors suspicious activities and compares them against characteristic data patterns associated with fraud.
A recent analysis of fraud indicators from DSP shows that the most frequent type of fraud is manipulation of income statements. Accounting for more than one-third of cases, it is the dominant factor. In second place is the use of a non-existent person, followed by implausible or forged bank statements. The embezzlement of collateral is also among the most relevant fraud types, along with classic identity theft. Overall, the data reveals that fraud primarily focuses on manipulating documents and identities. Income and account statements, as well as false identities, are the main targets for criminal activity.
Since the platform’s launch in June 2015, numerous financial institutions have joined DSPortal, including banks, leasing companies, and the captive finance arms of major German car brands. More than 70% of all vehicles financed or leased in Germany are processed through DSPortal. The platform is also an effective tool for providers of mortgage financing, installment loans, investment accounts, credit and debit cards, and point-of-sale financing.
Fraud Prevention Is More Important Than Ever
“We are delighted that the German Fraud Protection Portal continues to thrive ten years after its launch by the Association of German Banks,” says Jens Loa, Managing Director of the Association. “Fraud prevention is more important than ever – and DSP is an established cornerstone in the fight against fraud.”
“Our DSPortal has proven to be a powerful tool for preventing fraud over the past decade,” adds Dr. Frank Schlein, Managing Director of CRIF Germany. “And its importance is likely to grow. Advances in artificial intelligence make it easier than ever for fraudsters to create highly convincing synthetic identities with just a few clicks. Fraud prevention is taking on new strategic significance in this context. With DSPortal, we have built a trusted platform that can reliably detect even sophisticated fraud schemes.”
