Santander launches new 'blur' app feature to save customers from cruel scam

Santander has launched a new app feature to block out fraudsters from hacking banking apps.

The new update on Santander's OneApp banking app includes screen-sharing detection technology. This technology automatically blurs a customer's mobile screen and prevents them from carrying out banking actions when a scammer is using screen-sharing tech on their device. It comes after the bank's own data shows that more than £1.8million was stolen from customers in 2024 through these types of scams.

Chris Ainsley, head of fraud strategy at Santander UK, said: "As technology advances, so do scammers. We have a range of specific warnings for customers, but these criminals are clever and will talk their way into accessing a customer's personal information.

Customers are usually contacted out of the blue, by phone, email, text or WhatsApp with a range of messages either providing a new investment opportunity or warning of a technical problem with their phone.

The scammer will then persuade customers to download legitimate screen-sharing software, such as AnyDesk or TeamViewer, which will give scammers access to their mobile screens and personal information, including mobile banking credentials.

Mr Ainsley said: "Our latest development catches the social engineering in action, protecting customers who are often caught up in a moment of panic."

The bank previously introduced a specific warning that screen-sharing technology had been detected on a customer's device.

The new technology will build on this, automatically blurring customers' mobile banking apps, shielding their personal information.

The feature is currently available only to customers using the OneApp banking app on Apple iOS 18 and above. However, the bank has stated that it will be rolled out to Android users in the near future.