Stop Identity-Driven Fraud Before It Spreads: A Lifecycle Playbook for Government Programs

Access the guide to learn how agencies can identify fraud signals earlier

Public sector agencies are under pressure to deliver services faster, make them easier to access and keep them secure. At the same time, fraudsters are using compromised identity data, spoofed phone numbers, automated attacks and AI-enabled tactics to exploit authentication gaps across digital and call center channels.

Agencies that have yet to adopt NIST identity verification and authentication guidelines can create unnecessary friction for legitimate constituents while leaving public sector organizations exposed to account takeover, synthetic identity fraud and improper access. This guide explains how risk-based identity verification and authentication strategies can help agencies detect fraud signals earlier, strengthen program integrity and support more efficient constituent interactions.

Featuring insights from TransUnion® fraud and identity experts, this resource explores how public sector organizations can leverage identity, device, phone, network and caller intelligence to apply the right level of verification based on risk.

Why an adaptive public sector fraud defense model matters now

Fraudsters increasingly rely on compromised constituent data to bypass identity verification and authentication controls across digital and call center service channels. Public sector agencies need a smarter way to identify risk earlier without adding friction for every interaction.

Who should read this fraud guide

Built for individuals and teams responsible for fraud prevention, operational efficiency and secure access to public services, including:

• Fraud leaders and practitioners
• Identity and authentication leaders
• Call center leaders
• Digital service and constituent experience teams
• Security and risk decision-makers

What you’ll discover in this public sector fraud guide

• Why traditional identity verification and eligibility authentication methods are becoming less effective against account takeover, spoofing, synthetic identity fraud and AI-enabled fraud
• How identity, device, phone, network and caller signals can help agencies assess risk before fraud spreads across channels
• Where risk-based authentication can help reduce operational burden while improving fraud prevention and constituent experiences
• What public sector teams should consider when modernizing fraud prevention, identity verification and constituent authentication strategies

Key takeaways

• Traditional verification and authentication methods can create vulnerabilities to account takeover while increasing friction and operational burden across digital and call center channels
• Risk-based authentication uses caller, device and network intelligence to apply the right level of verification before calls are answered
• Smarter authentication can help reduce fraud, improve agent efficiency, lower costs and deliver more seamless customer experiences