10/06/2026

In a Faster World, Identity Protection Hinges on Predicting Scams

Payments Journal

For years, identity protection has largely operated on a simple premise: alert consumers when their identity is being misused. If a new account is opened in a customer’s name, for example, identity protection services (IDPS) may notify them. But as cybercriminals move faster and deploy increasingly precise tactics, warning consumers after the fact is no longer enough.

This is driving a shift toward solutions that can provide scam predictability—platforms that analyze data and behavioral patterns in real time to determine whether consumers are at risk before a loss occurs.

As Tracy Goldberg, Director of Cybersecurity at Javelin Strategy & Research, discussed in the2026 Direct-to-Consumer Identity Protection Services Overview: Gains, Gaps, and Opportunities for Industry Growth report, strengthening scam predictability capabilities is crucial, but it is just one area of opportunity for IDPS providers.