CoP and NameCheck: The Next Level in Scam Protection for Aussie Bank Customers

• payment security
• scam prevention
• banking technology

Explore how Confirmation of Payee (CoP) and CommBank’s NameCheck work together to safeguard Australians from payment scams and mistaken transfers.

How CoP Builds on NPP to Protect Payments

The Australian banking industry is constantly evolving to counter the rising threat of payment scams. A new technology, Confirmation of Payee (CoP), is being rolled out to add another layer of security for customers sending domestic payments. CoP uses the infrastructure of the New Payments Platform (NPP) to check that the name entered by the sender matches the name held by the recipient’s bank for a given BSB and account number.

CommBank’s NameCheck: Extra Security for Every Payment

CommBank customers are already familiar with NameCheck, a tool that enhances payment safety by checking the details you enter for first-time payments in NetBank, the CommBank app, or CommBiz. NameCheck analyses the account details against CommBank’s own data, including preferred names, nicknames, business trading names, and risk activity indicators, to determine if the payment details look right. Impressively, NameCheck has already prevented over $650 million in scams and mistaken payments for CommBank customers.

CoP and NameCheck: A Powerful Partnership

Both CoP and NameCheck are designed to provide extra information to customers during the payment process, but when combined, they offer a more powerful defence. CoP can confirm that the account name matches the records held by the receiving bank, while NameCheck adds an additional layer by recognising common nicknames, business aliases, and activity-based risk factors, even when CoP data is limited.

For example, many Australians use preferred names or nicknames that differ from their legal names, especially among first-generation immigrants. In these cases, NameCheck can match based on previous payment history and known name variations, complementing CoP’s strict verification process. This ensures payments are both secure and convenient, helping users avoid unnecessary disruptions.

Stronger Business Payments

Businesses often operate under trading names that are different from their official names on the Australian Business Register. When making payments to these businesses, CoP and NameCheck together give customers greater confidence that the BSB and account number are correct, reducing the risk of sending money to the wrong account or falling victim to invoice scams.

Reducing Scam Losses Across Australia

According to CommBank, the introduction of CoP is part of a broader industry effort to reduce scam-related losses. Over the past two years, CommBank has seen a 70% reduction in customer losses from scams, but as scam tactics continue to evolve, ongoing vigilance and improved security measures remain crucial.

Ms Alison Chang, General Manager Payments at CommBank, highlighted that NameCheck’s success in preventing scams has provided valuable insights during the industry rollout of CoP. The combined technologies empower customers to verify payment details before transferring money, helping spot potential scams before any funds are lost.

More Than Just CoP and NameCheck

CommBank’s anti-scam efforts go beyond CoP and NameCheck. The bank participates in the Australian Financial Crime Exchange (AFCX) Intelligence Loop and uses behavioural security technology to detect suspicious payment activity. All these measures work together to make Australia less attractive to scammers.

What Customers Should Do

• Stay informed about the latest scam trends and payment security tips.
• Use CoP and NameCheck alerts to double-check payment details, especially for first-time or unusual transfers.
• Always stop, check, and reject any payment request that feels suspicious.
• Report suspected scams promptly to your bank or via official channels.

Looking Ahead

Confirmation of Payee will be rolled out across the Australian banking sector throughout 2025, helping create a safer and more secure payments ecosystem for everyone—individuals and businesses alike. Together with NameCheck, these technologies provide the next level of protection, giving Australians confidence every time they transfer money.