AMP Bank introduces numberless debit cards to combat fraud and scams

An Aussie bank has just dropped a huge update to its debit cards.

AMP Bank is introducing numberless debit cards for its small business and personal banking customers in a radical makeover designed to combat fraud and scams.

The retail bank partnered with US payments giant Mastercard to deliver the striking new-look cards, which don’t present any front-facing numbers like standard issue bank cards.

The back of the card presents a four-digit number.

The bank claims by removing visible card numbers, small businesses will be “less susceptible” to fraud and scams.

The cards are linked to the bank’s push for a new app-only service, meaning only customers operating through AMP’s mobile app-based bank can access the cards.

AMP, unlike Commonwealth Bank or NAB, does not host any brick-and-mortar branches, and operates as a “digital bank”.

The cards remove any front-facing digits. Picture: Supplied

The cards are linked to the bank’s new app-only banking service. Picture: Supplied

Customers would access their 16-digit number online through the app, the bank said.

The app will include other security features such as advanced fraud and scam protection systems to protect customers and multimodal biometric authentication, the bank said.

Customers will be encouraged to use face ID and fingerprint ID to enter the app and then to record a video selfie when they first sign up to prevent identity theft.

Mastercard Australasia division president Richard Wormald said the numberless cards represented a “significant step forward in payment security”.

“Numberless cards represent a significant step forward in payment security, offering cardholders additional protection against fraud and account compromise,” he said.

“Mastercard is proud to partner with AMP Bank to deliver these new safeguards to Australian entrepreneurs, empowering them to spend less time worrying about fraud and scams, and more time focusing on what they do best.”

AMP does not offer any in-person branches. Picture: NewsWire / Steven Saphore

The bank, part of ASX-listed AMP Limited, boasts more than one million customers across Australia and New Zealand.

Sean O’Malley, AMP Bank Group Executive Sean O’Malley said the innovation would be “one of many firsts” for the digital first bank.

“We all know that banks simply have to do a better job of supporting the millions of small businesses operating across Australia,” he said.

“That’s why we’ve developed a new mobile banking platform with leading tech that is proven to make it easier and safer for business owners to operate and administer their businesses.

“Mastercard’s numberless bank cards are one of many firsts for micro and small businesses that we expect to deliver with the digital-first AMP Bank.”