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How the fraud protection system is wrongly brandishing thousands of innocent banking customers

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How the fraud protection system is wrongly brandishing thousands of innocent banking customers


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Hundreds of thousands of unsuspecting banking customers could be unknowingly slapped with a fraud marker without even knowing about it.

Financial crime expert Jeremy Asher reveals in his new comprehensive book about the devastating toll that ordinary and, crucially, innocent, people can suffer when wrongly labeled as being linked with .

With returning to campuses this week, Asher warns that they are particularly vulnerable to fraud due to financial inexperience.

The rampant growth in fraud-related crime means that two in five criminal offenses are fraud-related, costing the UK economy billions each year.

In response, a public-private defense system has been developed, but a vital part of it involves issuing so-called fraud markers onto individuals and their accounts where a potentially fraudulent transaction or application has been made.

But ordinary banking customers risk being incorrectly labeled with fraud markers, and often only find out when problems with their accounts emerge or requests for loans or credit fail.

This punishment can occur even if a third-party makes an error on an individual’s behalf, or even if a criminal sets up a fake business using someone else’s real identity.

What’s more, trying to get fraud markers removed can push people to the brink, with some even considering ending their own lives.

Huge problem

Around 2 million fraud markers were in effect in 2022 via Cifas, the Credit Industry Fraud Avoidance System, one of the main systems through which fraud markers are delivered.

In-depth research by Asher reveals that in 2022 Cifas itself upheld nearly 17% of the 868 requests to remove its markers, which he believes could mean several hundred thousand markers have been “incorrectly loaded and are unfair.”

The impact on individuals can be significant, with Asher stating that many of his clients seldom discuss the issue publicly even if they have successfully had fraud markers removed.

That’s because of the they fear due to being the subject of a fraud marker.

Several in Asher’s book bring to life the stress and hardship caused when fraud markers are incorrectly loaded against people.

Issues range from difficulties securing finance through to a heart-wrenching example of a female victim of domestic abuse, whose repeated efforts to prove her innocence continually fell on deaf ears.

“Her declined and following a desperate call from her in which I was left in no doubt that she was about to attempt suicide I called the police who thankfully went to her immediate assistance,” Asher says.

“She did not have the stomach to take her appeal further.”

Easy come, difficult go

A significant issue with fraud markers is how easily they can be applied but how difficult, or sometimes even impossible, they are to have removed.

Asher states that many of the cases he takes on for people wrongly given fraud markers “would not have come to my attention had a criminal standard of proof been applied and thorough investigations taken place.”

He criticizes the move to lower the standard of proof that organizations need to jump, likening it to reducing it to a civil level even though the victim is essentially being accused of a criminal offense.

“[Fraud markers] are akin to the type of fixed penalty notices that are imposed in the criminal justice system, such as by the police in relation to minor motoring offenses,” Asher said.

“However, there are important distinctions, not least that fraud markers are issued without notice, they are secretive, and there is no right to judicial oversight at the time a marker is loaded.”

Asher notes that while a speeding driver can challenge the evidence, accept the proposed penalty, seek an alternative penalty (like a speed awareness course) or ask a court to decide their guilt, the recipient of a fraud marker is offered no such routes.

“The punishment aspect of fraud markers is through the subject being barred from obtaining mainstream credit and banking facilities or by having to pay a premium should they be lucky enough to find an organization willing to accept the higher risk posed,” Asher added.

Post Office parallels

Trying to appeal a fraud marker is ‘anything but straightforward,” according to Asher, who notes the injustices against ‘genuinely innocent’ people is likely to be wider than that caused by the Post Office Horizon scandal.

In an echo of the Post Office saga, organizations that load fraud markers are essentially the notional judge, jury and executioner.

“The concept of fair banking is more concerned with ensuring that the products and services offered by financial organizations are fair,” Asher states.

“As demonstrated, fraud markers are loaded and policed by private organizations, with some organizations paying little regard to common notions of justice and fairness.

“Their decisions can be unfair, cruel even. I am concerned at the level of injustice I see every day.”

The book contains information about how the various databases operate, and explains how and why they were developed to help combat the rise of fraud and money laundering in the UK.

More information:
Jeremy Asher, Fraud Markers, De-banking, and Financial Crime, (2025). DOI: 10.4324/9781003588542

Provided by
Taylor & Francis


Citation:
How the fraud protection system is wrongly brandishing thousands of innocent banking customers (2025, September 25)
retrieved 25 September 2025
from https://techxplore.com/news/2025-09-fraud-wrongly-brandishing-thousands-innocent.html

This document is subject to copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study or research, no
part may be reproduced without the written permission. The content is provided for information purposes only.





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Top HBO Max Promo Codes for November 2025

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November 12, 2025

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Top HBO Max Promo Codes for November 2025


HBO Max is not just for The Sopranos anymore (but it is the only place to stream The Sopranos). Subscription video service HBO Max not only has The Sopranos, but other content from the best entertainment libraries, including: Warner Bros., Discovery Channel, CNN, Cartoon Network, Adult Swim, Animal Planet, and other brands.

We at WIRED also watch a lot of content—obviously, because we are always testing TVs, soundbars, and streaming devices—and regularly round up our newest favorites from HBO Max so that you’ll know what to watch once you nab an HBO Max promo code. Whether you’re wanting to watch an HBO original series like Succession or a smash hit movie like Barbie, HBO Max has the content you’re looking for, and WIRED has the perfect promo codes to help you save on these sometimes-pricey subscription plans.

50% Off HBO Max Promo Code for Students

Students rejoice, you don’t have to try to mooch off your friends’ parents’ HBO Max subscriptions anymore when you want to rewatch Euphoria for the 15th time (…not speaking from personal experience or anything). HBO Max is offering a Student Discount, where you can save and get 50% off subscriptions with a promo code. This means the price is only $5 a month. This discounted plan is eligible for The HBO Max Basic With Ads monthly plan, so you’ll get unlimited access to all of HBO, hit series, movies, news, sports, and more on up to two devices at once.

Save 35% by Bundling HBO Max, Disney+ and Hulu

This deal is honestly one of the best I’ve ever seen, and I’ve been thinking of switching as well, because with this Magic Bundle, you can get HBO Max, Disney+, and Hulu for just $17 a month. (which is crazy because I pay that much alone for my Hulu! Again, I’m convincing myself while writing this that I should switch to this plan.) This crazy good deal is for those three streaming services with ads, but you’ll be saving 35% on the original price. If you’re impatient like me, you can get the same deal without ads for $30 a month, which is definitely higher than with ads but you’re still saving almost $19 a month with this Evergreen deal.

HBO Max Deals: Save up to $41

Like other streaming services, HBO Max has different tiers at different prices for streaming, so you can choose which one fits you (or your “household;” wink) best. Basic with ads allows you to stream on two devices at once in full HD for $10 a month. Standard is midrange, where you get everything from the previous basic plus 30 available downloads so you can watch on the go, for $17 a month. If you are impatient and a movie/TV buff, you might want to choose the premium, where you can stream on four devices at once, have 4k Ultra HD video quality, Dolby Atmos immersive audio, and 100 downloads to watch on the go for $21 a month.

HBO Max November 2025 New Shows and Films

HBO Max is known for being one of the most heralded platforms in entertainment. These new shows and films on HBO Max are sure to be a hit too. We’re most excited for Task, a new series set in the working-class suburbs of Philadelphia, where an FBI agent heads a task force aiming to end the violent robberies led by an unsuspecting family man. There’s also a new GOT-spin off series, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, premiering January 18. Taking place a century before the events of Game of Thrones, set in an age when the Targaryen line still holds the Iron Throne and the last dragon has not yet passed from living memory. There’s also Chair Company from the oddball mind of Tim Robinson, and IT: Welcome to Derry, a spin off set in the IT universe for fans of horror.

Stream Sports Games for Free With Your HBO Max Subscription

As an added bonus, you can also stream live sports through the B/R Sports add-on at no extra cost. This includes super popular events from the NBA, NHL, March Madness, MLB, U.S. Soccer, Bellator, and premier cycling events. Act soon though, because after the promo period, the add-on will be available for $10 a month.

Watch Your Favorite Shows on HBO Max for Free

Because HBO knows how tempting (and sexy) teasing can be, folks can sample episodes of new and fan-favorite original steamy series, like Euphoria, Industry, or The Idol for free without a subscription. When you inevitably get hooked (too soon after the Euphoria reference?) on that sweet, sweet content, you’ll need an HBO Max subscription to stream the full library. To continue to tease, you can stream nearly endless options, like House of the Dragon from the wildly popular Game of Thrones series, Dune, and my personal faves: The Last of Us, The Penguin, and Hacks, right now. Hurry, you don’t want to miss out on the shows everyone is talking about around the proverbial water cooler.



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Embee International adopts Coats Digital’s GSDCost Solution

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5 hours ago

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November 12, 2025

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Embee International adopts Coats Digital’s GSDCost Solution



Coats Digital is pleased to announce that leading global apparel manufacturer, Embee International Industries, has implemented Coats Digital’s GSDCost solution across its operations to eliminate inaccurate costing, streamline production processes, and boost competitiveness in international markets. The move forms a key part of Embee International’s digital transformation strategy to drive greater efficiency, improve quality, and strengthen partnerships with its portfolio of top global brands.

Embee International, a leading Egyptian apparel manufacturer, has adopted Coats Digital’s GSDCost solution to standardise work methods, ensure accurate labour costing, and boost efficiency.
The move eliminates manual costing errors, enhances production visibility, and supports its digital transformation to strengthen global competitiveness.

Headquartered in Ismailia, Egypt, with additional facilities in Suez, Port Said, and Alexandria, Embee International employs more than 12,000 people.  The company operates 4,800 sewing machines across 134 sewing lines and produces approximately four million units per month. Its diverse product range includes outer jackets, trousers, chinos, denim pants, shorts, leggings, underwear, tees, polos, shirts, and soft-shell jackets.

As a trusted supplier to brands such as Decathlon, Fruit of the Loom, LC Waikiki, Walmart, Calvin Klein, Skechers, Lee Wrangler, New Yorkers, and Defacto, Embee International is committed to operational excellence, ethical manufacturing, and sustainable growth.

Prior to adopting GSDCost, Embee International relied on manual time studies using stopwatches and inconsistent measurement methods. This led to inaccurate Standard Minute Values (SMVs), incorrect costings, unrealistic production targets, lengthy negotiations with buyers, and inefficient line balancing. It also faced high production costs due to non-standardised work methods, inconsistent quality from variations in operator techniques, frequent bottlenecks and missed delivery deadlines caused by poor production visibility.

Sherwin Ricky Jonas, Head-Industrial Engineering & CI said: “GSDCost delivers a clear, data-driven view of our production processes, allowing us to measure performance accurately, standardise work methods, and optimise resource utilisation. By enhancing workforce efficiency while upholding quality and compliance standards, it fosters seamless interdepartmental coordination, streamlines operations, and drives continuous improvement through informed decision-making.”

With GSDCost, Embee International can now produce precise, data-backed labour costings that improve buyer negotiations and optimise operator methods to reduce SMVs and increase efficiency. The company is building a robust digital SMV library to accelerate new style costing and planning while improving production visibility and line balancing. This transformation is enabling Embee International to create a more agile, scalable operation capable of meeting the fast-paced demands of the global apparel market and supporting long-term growth.

Diaa Hasham, Digital Manager, Sales, Coats Digital, added: “Embee International is a leading force in global apparel manufacturing, and we are thrilled that such a prestigious company has chosen Coats Digital’s GSDCost solution to drive its digital transformation. By optimising production processes through proven, scientific methods, Embee International is strengthening the resilience and efficiency of its operations. In a market where brands demand closer collaboration with fully digitised supply chain partners, GSDCost provides a common language for manufacturers and brands alike, helping to meet cost, quality, and delivery targets while promoting sustainable and ethical practices. We look forward to supporting Embee International throughout its digital transformation journey, so it continues to benefit from improved efficiencies, enhanced profitability, and a stronger position in the global apparel industry.”

Note: The headline, insights, and image of this press release may have been refined by the Fibre2Fashion staff; the rest of the content remains unchanged.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (HU)



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IT services companies and datacentres face regulation as cyber security bill reaches Parliament | Computer Weekly

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November 12, 2025

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IT services companies and datacentres face regulation as cyber security bill reaches Parliament | Computer Weekly


Large organisations that provide IT services, including datacentres, will face regulation to ensure they have adequate cyber security and resilience plans, under laws being introduced in Parliament today.

The Cyber Security and Resilience Bill (CSRB) aims to ensure critical services, including healthcare, water, transport and energy, are protected against cyber attacks, which cost the UK economy almost £15bn a year.

Under the proposals, medium and large IT services companies providing IT management, helpdesk support and cyber security to critical services face regulation for the first time.

They will be required to report potentially significant cyber security breaches to regulators and the National Cyber Security Centre within 24 hours, with a full report within 72 hours, and to notify businesses and individuals who use their services of the incident.

New government powers

The government will have new powers to instruct regulators and the organisations they oversee to take “specific, proportionate steps” to prevent cyber attacks where there is a risk to national security.

This could include requiring them to strengthen security monitoring of their systems or isolate high-risk systems to protect and secure essential services.

The proposed laws cover private and public sector providers of critical services, which, if attacked, could have “huge negative implications” for the economy.

Regulators will be given new powers under the bill to “designate” organisations that supply essential services, such as health diagnostics to the NHS or chemicals to a water firm, requiring them to meet minimum security requirements.

Ransomware payment ban

The legislation is also expected to include a ban on public sector organisations, such as councils, schools, the health service and operators of critical national infrastructure (CNI), making payments to ransomware crime gangs.

The government argues that recent cyber attacks on managed service providers (MSPs) show that laws are needed.

The Office of Budget Responsibility estimates that a cyber attack on critical national infrastructure could temporarily increase borrowing by over £30bn – equivalent to 1.1% of GDP.

Research published today shows the average cost of a significant cyber attack in the UK is over £190,000, equivalent to £15bn a year – some 0.5% of the UK’s GDP – across the economy.

In 2024, hackers accessed the Ministry of Defence’s payroll system through an MSP. The attack against pathology services provider Synnovis disrupted more than 11,000 medical appointments and procedures, with estimated costs of £30m.

The government said the bill “represents a step change” that will “help to deliver greater economic stability” and support investment in the UK’s cyber security sector, which contributed £13.2bn to the economy in the latest financial year. 

First floated in 2024, shortly after Labour’s General Election victory, the Cyber Security and Resilience Bill aims to improve the UK’s online defences, protect the public and safeguard economic growth.

In October, government ministers wrote to the CEOs of FTSE 350 companies urging them to make cyber risk a board responsibility, sign up to the National Cyber Security Centre’s (NCSC) cyber attack early warning service, and require companies in their supply chain to meet the NCSC’s cyber essentials security requirements.

NCSC CEO Richard Horne said the Cyber Security and Resilience Bill was a “significant step” towards “ensuring the nation’s most critical services are better protected and prepared”.

“The real-world impacts of cyber attacks have never been more evident than in recent months, and so we welcome the move to strengthen legislation and regulatory powers to help drive up the level of defence and resilience across critical national infrastructure,” he added.

Phil Huggins, national chief information security officer for health and care at NHS England, said the proposals would allow healthcare services to address the greatest risks and harms, including new powers to designate critical suppliers.

“Working with the healthcare sector, we can drive a step change in cyber maturity and help keep services available, protect data and maintain trust in our systems in the face of an evolving threat landscape,” he added.

Science, innovation and technology secretary Liz Kendall said the new laws would mean “fewer cancelled NHS appointments, less disruption to local services and businesses, and a faster national response when threats emerge”.



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