iDenfy, a global provider of RegTech solutions with expertise in identity verification and fraud prevention, has unveiled a new phone number-based one-time verification feature tailored for the markets in Australia and New Zealand.
This latest addition to iDenfy's SMS Verification service introduces an essential dual, real-time verification layer. Users must first verify their phone number before proceeding to capture their ID document information, effectively reducing the risk of fraudulent activity. This familiar verification process aims to diminish the manual efforts required by users, subsequently lowering the drop-off rate for businesses.
Addressing registration system vulnerabilities
The new SMS Verification feature in Australia and New Zealand integrates a one-time passcode sent directly to the user's mobile number during the KYC onboarding process.
This extra layer of verification acts as a pre-emptive measure to block fraudsters
This extra layer of verification acts as a pre-emptive measure to block fraudsters from accessing the system before reaching the login stage. The need for such systems is evident as Australians were reported to have lost approximately $260 million to scams in 2025, highlighting systemic vulnerabilities in registration processes.
Simplifying compliance
iDenfy's CEO, Domantas Ciulde, emphasises that the SMS verification workflow remains user-friendly despite its additional security measures. Ciulde states, “You now no longer have to scan QR codes or change devices.” The system verifies whether the phone number is associated with the individual completing the verification and ensures the number is active and reachable.
Companies can adopt the SMS step as a standalone security measure or integrate it with iDenfy's comprehensive KYC and AML solutions. The SMS verification tool adheres to Australia's ID and New Zealand's privacy regulations, facilitating compliance with local data handling and verification standards introduced by the Digital ID Act 2024 and New Zealand's Privacy Act 2020.
Enhancing financial security
Cryptocurrency exchanges in Australia are notably subject to AUSTRAC registration requirements
For fintech and neobanking institutions, compliance with the latest AML and CTF requirements demands that a verified phone number serves as both a factor of authentication and an audit trail component.
Cryptocurrency exchanges in Australia are notably subject to AUSTRAC registration requirements, which impose substantial penalties for lapses in customer due diligence. Thus, the SMS verification feature offers a lightweight yet powerful addition to existing KYC procedures.
Rapid and scalable integration
iDenfy boasts support for over 200 countries and territories, claiming an average user onboarding time of just 15 seconds, along with potential for significant cost savings through automated KYC. Research indicates that integrating SMS OTP verification with other identity checks can reduce account takeover fraud by up to 99.9%. The SMS verification service is now accessible to all existing and new clients in Australia and New Zealand, integrated seamlessly into iDenfy's API infrastructure with minimal activation effort. New clients have the option to include SMS Verification within the standard KYC onboarding protocol or as an enhancement to current verification workflows.
Domantas Ciulde, CEO of iDenfy, remarked, “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 specialising 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, minimising 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.
