iDenfy, a global RegTech firm known for its expertise in identity verification and fraud prevention, has introduced a new phone number-based verification feature for Australia and New Zealand.
This update enhances iDenfy’s SMS Verification solution by adding a dual, real-time verification system where users must verify their phone numbers before capturing their ID document information. This process aims to reduce the likelihood of fraudulent activities, simplifying the procedure for users and potentially decreasing dropout rates for businesses.
Addressing Registration System Vulnerabilities
The newly launched SMS Verification feature for Australia and New Zealand works by sending a one-time passcode (OTP) to a user's mobile phone during the Know Your Customer (KYC) onboarding process. This additional layer of security aims to prevent fraud before reaching the login screen.
By implementing this OTP system, companies can filter out fraudulent activities in real-time. Given the scale of scams in the region, where Australians lost approximately $260 million to scams in 2025, the need for such advancements in registration systems is clear.
Efficiency Without Disruption
iDenfy’s CEO, Domantas Ciulde, emphasized that this verification method does not hinder the experience for legitimate users. According to Ciulde, "The SMS is sent in seconds, and the users are now able to efficiently continue the verification process on their mobile devices. You now no longer have to scan QR codes or change devices." The system ensures the phone number is genuine, linked to the user, active, and reachable, without necessitating compliance officer intervention, thus aligning well with Australia’s Digital ID Act 2024 and New Zealand’s Privacy Act 2020.
Enhancing Compliance for Financial Institutions
SMS Verification remains a straightforward yet powerful addition to existing KYC processes
In the context of compliance, especially for fintech and neobanking sectors, iDenfy's SMS verification aids in fulfilling AML and Counter-Terrorism Financing requirements.
These regulations stipulate that a verified phone number should serve as an authentication measure and an audit trail element. With stringent requirements under AUSTRAC in Australia, inadequate customer checks can lead to severe penalties for cryptocurrency exchanges. SMS Verification remains a straightforward yet powerful addition to existing KYC processes.
Seamless Integration and Availability
iDenfy’s solution is now available to all existing and new clients in Australia and New Zealand. Integration into the current API infrastructure is straightforward, requiring minimal setup, offering the feature as part of iDenfy’s standard KYC processes or as an additional layer in existing workflows.
Ciulde further stated, "We see too many platforms treat phone number verification as optional. In markets like Australia and New Zealand, where identity fraud is actively escalating, that approach carries real risk. Our SMS verification gives companies a fast, low-friction way to confirm that the person registering is who they say they are right from the first interaction."
iDenfy, an international RegTech provider specializing in identity verification and fraud prevention solutions, announced the launch of a phone number-based one-time verification feature for Australia and New Zealand.
The new update to iDenfy’s SMS Verification solution adds an important dual, real-time verification layer: users both verify their phone and then continue to capture their ID document’s information, minimizing chances of fraud. Since this flow is already familiar, the company claims to reduce manual effort from the end-user’s side, which, for businesses, will result in a lower drop-off rate.
Weaknesses of registration systems
iDenfy’s newly launched SMS Verification for Australia and New Zealand delivers a one-time passcode directly to a user’s mobile number during the KYC onboarding flow. This new verification layer stops fraudsters in their tracks before they even hit the login screen.
By checking phone numbers via an OTP code sent via SMS during signup, companies can finally filter out users in real-time. And there’s a demand for that. In 2025, Australians lost at least $260 million to scams. That’s not just a money problem; it shows how easy it is to notice the current weaknesses of registration systems.
Compliance officer intervention
According to iDenfy’s CEO, Domantas Ciulde, the SMS verification workflow doesn’t disrupt the verification experience for genuine users. The SMS is sent in seconds, and the users are now able to efficiently continue the verification process on their mobile devices. “You now no longer have to scan QR codes or change devices”, added Domantas Ciulde.
The system examines if the phone number is linked to the person who must complete the verification on time and is active and reachable. Companies are able to set up the SMS step as a singular security check or simply link it with iDenfy’s complete Know Your Customer (KYC) and Anti-Money Laundering (AML) suite solutions. iDenfy’s SMS verification capability is built to operate within Australia’s ID and New Zealand’s privacy acts to ensure that businesses and their clients can meet local regulatory expectations without any extra compliance officer intervention. This is vital, as Australia recently enacted the Digital ID Act 2024 and New Zealand’s Privacy Act 2020, in order to clarify expectations on how businesses must handle and verify personal data.
Most scalable solution
Moreover, fintech and neobanking institutions must comply with the latest AML and Counter-Terrorism Financing (AML/CTF) requirements, where a verified phone number has to serve as both an authentication factor and an audit trail element. Cryptocurrency exchanges that operate under AUSTRAC registration requirements in Australia face significant penalties for inadequate customer due diligence. For this reason, SMS verification adds a light but powerful verification step to existing KYC flows.
With support for over 200 countries and territories, an average user onboarding time of 15 seconds, and the potential for 4x costs saved up through automated KYC, iDenfy’s mixed ID verification workflow can be by far the fastest and most scalable solution on the market. Studies from Microsoft data have shown that SMS one-time password (OTP) verification can also reduce account takeover fraud by up to 99.9% when layered with other identity checks.
KYC onboarding procedure
It’s worth mentioning that iDenfy’s SMS verification for Australia and New Zealand is available now to all current and new clients. The feature integrates directly into iDenfy’s existing API infrastructure, which requires minimal effort to activate. New clients can access SMS Verification as part of iDenfy’s standard KYC onboarding procedure or as an add-on to existing verification workflows.
“We see too many platforms treat phone number verification as optional. In markets like Australia and New Zealand, where identity fraud is actively escalating, that approach carries real risk. Our SMS verification gives companies a fast, low-friction way to confirm that the person registering is who they say they are right from the first interaction,” added Domantas Ciulde, the CEO of iDenfy.
