AI In Fraud Prevention: Why B2B Leaders Can’t Afford To Wait

John F. Rubinetti III, President of B2B Payments, Deluxe.

Fraud is no longer merely a nuisance. It’s become a significant, evolving threat that can cost businesses more than money. It holds the power to break down customer trust, slow operations and expose vulnerabilities in the very systems companies design to protect themselves and their customers.

As cybercriminals evolve, so must customers. In my view, that evolution should begin with artificial intelligence (AI).

Today, many organizations are already using AI to fight fraud. A 2024 survey by BioCatch, for instance, found that 73% of financial institutions are leveraging AI to detect fraud. Additionally, Experian’s “2025 U.S. Identity & Fraud Report” uncovered interesting insights about companies using AI for fraud detection. Specifically, “37% of businesses said they are currently using GenAI to detect and protect against fraud.” Moreover, the report found that “55% of companies said they were implementing new AI methods and models and 52% focusing on fraud and customer decisions.”

To me, these findings indicate that using AI for fraud detection isn’t a passing trend—there’s a fundamental shift in how many B2B organizations are approaching it, shifting from treating it as a futuristic concept to a front-line defense. Arguably, as more time goes on, leveraging AI for fraud detection will further become the difference between resilience and risk.

My team and I see AI adoption as a multilayered transformation, especially for financial institutions and businesses that are large enough to face payment complexity but also have an ongoing need for automation to gain efficiency with higher volumes of payments flowing through their system. I believe that such organizations are prime candidates for AI-driven transformation because they may lack the scale to build custom solutions, but are still eager to modernize.

Rising Threats Demand Intelligent Defense

From my observations, fraudsters and bad actors are getting smarter—they’re exploiting gaps in outdated systems and targeting both merchants and consumers with increasingly advanced techniques, making it tougher for traditional rule-based systems to keep up. Such systems are reactive, slow and often generate false positives that frustrate customers and drain resources.

That’s where AI can step in. With intelligent exception tools that analyze thousands of transactions per second, AI isn’t just capable of detecting fraud; it can also prevent it. It can flag anomalies in real time and help empower teams to act before damage is done. This type of intelligent defense is about regaining control and proactively halting suspicious activity.

Machine Learning: The Brain Behind The Bot

At the heart of AI’s power are machine learning capabilities. These algorithms don’t simply follow rules; they learn and adapt with use. That’s precisely what’s needed in a constantly shifting fraud and threat landscape.

Tools based on machine learning are effective for fraud defense because they don’t just spot known threats. On top of that, they uncover new ones. They’re able to recognize patterns that people can’t see (or can’t see without investing a lot of time) and respond faster than is possible with manual processes.

AI Business Benefits And Practical Payoffs

AI isn’t just a cybersecurity tool. It can upgrade your business decisions. It’s able to scale, can handle massive transaction volumes and can reduce false positives. That can translate to better customer experiences and more efficient operations overall. More importantly, leveraging AI can help you safeguard your company’s revenue and reputation.

In a world where trust is currency, AI can help your business earn and keep it.

Don’t Wait For A Breach To Modernize

Too often, in my experience, business leaders treat fraud prevention as a back-office function or something to revisit after an incident. As a forward-thinking organization, you can use AI as a strategic asset and a critical tool to protect your business.

As we move deeper into 2025, the question isn’t whether to invest in AI-powered fraud prevention, but rather, how much longer you can afford not to.

The future of fraud defense is proactive, intelligent and scalable. It’s time to stop patching outdated systems and start building a foundation that grows with your business. In today’s digital economy, resilience is no longer optional. It’s essential.

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