NAB to require selfie for verification of all new Bank accounts

Opening up a bank account at NAB will now require a “selfie” as part of the account creation process as the bank aims to reduce fraud and identity theft across its business.

Stolen credentials can be used to open up accounts in your name, so instead of processing documents electronically and verifying just the authenticity of the documents, NAB will now authenticate the individual using facial recognition.

The way it works is to use advanced app technology to use your smartphone camera to scan your face and match it against the photo on your Identity document. This is similar to how the MyID app will scan your face when adding your passport into the app.

NAB Group Chief Operating Officer Les Matheson said this biometric addition is designed to make life more difficult for criminals “We still have more to do, but this is a simple and fast way we can help protect customers against fraud and scams,” Mr Matheson said. 

“This initiative will make it harder for criminals to open fraudulent accounts or apply for fraudulent credit cards using documents they’ve stolen from the dark web or from someone’s letter box.  

“This sort of technology is already used for other services, including things like passport applications and we’ve designed the experience to be simple for customers to follow.”