Geared up for 2026? Your Discovery Bank security toolkit explained

Fraud doesn't stand still - and neither does Discovery Bank.

In South Africa today, fraud is less about breaking banking systems and more about manipulating people. According to SABRIC, most banking fraud now involves social engineering - where criminals pressure or deceive clients into approving payments themselves.

That's why Discovery Bank approaches security differently.

As a behavioural bank, we analyse how you normally bank - from the way you log in to the types of payments you make. When something doesn't look right, the system flags it in real time, helping you pause and confirm before a transaction goes through.

Four new security enhancements now live

We're continually working on strengthening the intelligent protection built into your banking experience. Four new enhancements to your app now add even more defence against today's most common fraud tactics.

1. Expanded TRUST™ alerts

TRUST™ alerts help stop suspicious payments before your money moves.

When a transaction doesn't match your usual banking behaviour, you'll receive a clear in-app alert explaining why the payment may be risky. You can then pause and confirm whether you want to continue. TRUST™ alerts now monitor even more transactions, including:

• EFT payments
• prepaid products and services
• digital voucher purchases
• additional PayShap payments

This expanded protection gives you greater visibility and control, helping you spot potential fraud before it happens.

2. QR-code login for safer online banking

Logging into online banking is now even more secure. Instead of entering credentials on the website, you simply scan a QR code using your Discovery Bank app. Because the QR code is unique to each login session, it ensures it's always you accessing your online banking profile. This significantly reduces the risk of phishing and fraudulent login attempts.

3. Stronger verification when adding a new device

If you install the Discovery Bank app on a secondary device, additional identity checks now protect your account. You'll complete:

• a selfie verification confirming it's really you
• a secure one-time PIN (OTP) sent to your registered primary device

Because the OTP is delivered only to your primary device, it adds an important extra layer of protection when activating the app elsewhere.

4. Protection against coaching scams

Fraudsters often keep victims on the phone while guiding them through fraudulent transactions. To help prevent this, certain in-app authorisations are now blocked while you're on an active phone call. This makes it far harder for criminals to manipulate clients into approving payments.

Transactions that don't require authorisation will still work as normal, keeping everyday banking smooth and uninterrupted.

Your five essential security tools

Alongside these new enhancements, the Discovery Bank app already includes a powerful set of built-in security features designed to help you stay in control.

• Biometric verification

  Biometric checks such as facial recognition help confirm that it's really you accessing your banking app. If unusual activity is detected, additional biometric verification can be triggered to protect your account.

• Intelligent fraud warnings

  Persistent in-app warnings alert you to potential risks while you bank. These prompts encourage you to pause, review details and confirm who you're dealing with before completing a transaction.

• Card and device controls

  The Discovery Bank app gives you instant control over your cards and devices. You can pause cards, manage spending limits and monitor where your card details are stored across digital wallets and subscriptions.

• Digital Account Vault

  The Digital Account Vault allows you to hide selected accounts behind an additional security code, keeping sensitive balances discreet and protected even if someone accesses your phone.

• Panic Code protection

  Unique to Discovery Bank, the Panic Code provides protection in extreme situations. Entering your Panic Code instead of your Security Code appears normal on screen, but silently alerts Discovery Bank's fraud team to monitor the situation.

Security that evolves with the threat

Fraudsters depend on three things - speed, pressure and confusion. Discovery Bank's latest security enhancements are designed to disrupt all three.

Expanded TRUST™ alerts help you pause suspicious payments before money moves. QR-code login ensures it's always you accessing online banking. Stronger device verification protects your app access. And safeguards against coaching scams help prevent criminals from manipulating clients during phone calls.

Together with the app's built-in security toolkit, these protections form a powerful ecosystem designed to keep you safe.

Because the best fraud defence isn't just stronger technology. It's technology that understands how you bank.