Starling Bank has unveiled a pioneering new tool, Scam Intelligence, designed to help customers identify and avoid online purchase scams by analysing images and text for warning signs of fraud. This marks the first time a UK bank has offered an AI-powered scam-detection feature directly within its mobile app.
Addressing the Rising Threat of Fraud
With fraud losses in the UK reaching £1.17 billion in 2024, including £450 million attributed to authorised push payment (APP) fraud, Starling has introduced Scam Intelligence to help reduce instances of such abuse by providing rapid, personalised alerts based on marketplace listings and seller communication.
Customers – whether personal, joint, or business account holders – may now upload images of listings, seller messages or screenshots of conversations to the tool. Within seconds, the system analyses the uploaded content and flags risk indicators such as unrealistic pricing, image inconsistencies or pressure to transfer funds early. The app then delivers tailored guidance on whether to proceed with a transaction or reconsider.
Strategic Use of AI and Privacy Safeguards
Built in collaboration with Google Cloud and powered by Google’s Gemini models, Scam Intelligence runs on a secure, scalable cloud platform. The system interprets both images and text context, and then Starling’s proprietary risk assessment engine provides actionable results.
Customers must opt-in to use the feature; the tool is optional and designed to respect privacy. All data remains within Starling’s secure cloud environment, and is not leveraged for training external AI models.
Also Read: Terzo Launches NirvanAI, a Platform to Save Enterprises Billions
Leadership Commentary
“With Scam Intelligence, Starling customers can better protect themselves from scams, and learn more about the warning signs too,” said Harriet Rees, CIO at Starling. “Knowledge is power when it comes to managing and protecting your money, and we believe AI is giving our customers exactly that.”
“Fraud is ruthless, and it’s vital that every organisation supports people to avoid scams. I welcome Starling’s new tool, which is a great example of how AI can be used in the battle against fraud,” said Lord Hanson, Minister for Fraud. “This government is stepping up our response, bringing forward an expanded Fraud Strategy to disrupt criminal networks and protect the public. I continue to urge everyone to follow Stop! Think Fraud advice.”
“We’re on a mission to help our customers be ‘Good with money’, from how they spend it to how they save and protect it. While we work with social media platforms and mobile networks to combat fraud at source, Scam Intelligence is a tool people can use to help protect themselves,” said Catherine Britton, Head of Fraud Risk at Starling Bank.
Graham Dury, Director, FSI, Google Cloud UK & Ireland, added: “Fraud is a huge problem for UK consumers, and we believe AI can be a powerful tool to help tackle it. By working together with Starling and using our Gemini models on a secure cloud platform, we’re giving customers a new way to spot the signs of a scam. It’s a brilliant example of using AI to help protect millions of people.”