AT&T's new mobile identity API toolkit helps prevent fraud

DALLAS, USA: AT&T announced the availability of a new application programming interface (API) toolkit that can help businesses make mobile transactions safer and easier for AT&T mobile subscribers.

The toolkit allows businesses to automate fraud avoidance queries and the completion of basic forms for subscribers during transactions.

Security is a major concern among people who want to use their phones for mobile banking and m-commerce. According to a Federal Reserve Bank survey, while nearly half of smartphone owners in the U.S. have used mobile banking in the past 12 months, concerns about the security of the technology were the second most common reason given for not using mobile banking.

When an AT&T mobile subscriber uses their mobile device to transact business with a merchant that is using the toolkit, the service automatically and almost instantly performs a fraud avoidance query to confirm that the device being used by the subscriber is authenticated to AT&T's mobile network.

If confirmed, the mobile user can opt-in to a feature that allows automatic population of electronic forms with basic information such as name, address, phone and email information. This feature simplifies the registration process and can reduce drop-off rates for new customers. The service completes these tasks in seconds.

Laura Merling, VP of Ecosystem Development and Platform Solutions, AT&T, SAID: "As consumers use their mobile devices for more and more aspects of daily life, including online banking and m-commerce, they want assurances that these services are as secure as possible.

"Tapping into the intelligence of the AT&T network as a trusted authenticator for mobile identity not only makes these services more secure, but also easier to use. We see this as the opportunity to realize one of the biggest promises of APIs for businesses."