Businesses are facing an unprecedented and rapidly evolving fraud threat, with 61% reporting an increase in losses over the past year, according to a new report from Experian, a global leader in data and technology. The study, conducted by Forrester Consulting, reveals a critical defense gap and a lack of security tools: while cybercrime networks expand and take advantage of Generative AI, 66% of Spanish managers admit that their current security tools are no longer adequate to protect them.
Key findings in the Spanish market
- Fraud losses increase: 61% report a year-on-year increase
- Threat outlook: 67% expect more attacks in 2026 than last year
- Technology gap: 66% highlight that their current fraud technology cannot keep pace with threats
- Frictionless controls: 77% plan to invest in device and behavior analytics
- Tip of the iceberg: 67% believe Generative AI is the biggest fraud threat we’ve ever seen.
The study, based on insights from nearly 1,000 senior fraud decision-makers across nine EMEA and APAC countries, including Australia, Denmark, Germany, India, Italy, New Zealand, Norway, South Africa and Spain, reveals a growing gap in fraud prevention capabilities.
Technology gaps slow response
The study highlights how traditional approaches are falling behind. 66% of Spanish interviewees confirm that their current anti-fraud tools are insufficient, and the urgency to modernize them is clear. The traditional “build-vs-buy” dilemma is slowing progress, and companies need solutions now, not months or years from now. In fact, 82% of Spanish managers plan to integrate fraud prevention and credit risk assessment into a global risk management strategy.
Modernization and machine learning, protagonists
Seven in ten interviewees highlight reviewing their fraud security solutions strategy as their top priority for the coming year, followed by migrating systems to the cloud and investing in new tools. Analysis of other data – such as device or behavioral information – is now essential for accurate fraud detection. It makes sense that these large data sets require machine learning, and the benefits are clear: 77% of ML users in Spain report measurable improvements in detection accuracy since its implementation.
The biggest advantage of ML is real-time detection, noted by 67% of those interviewed, along with the ability to retrain models with new data to adapt to the evolution of fraud. 70% believe ML helps detect fraud that rules-based systems alone would miss, demonstrating its role as a critical enabler of modern fraud prevention.
It is worth noting that 65% of Spanish managers agree that their false positive rate has decreased since implementing ML. And, 67% say ML has allowed them to reduce security friction for good customers through passive anti-fraud controls (such as device analysis and online behavior).
Collaboration is the future of fraud prevention
Nearly 73% of companies agree that sharing anti-fraud intelligence is key to staying ahead of the threat. However, this requires trust and a secure infrastructure. Three-quarters of those interviewed believe that building trust within anti-fraud consortia is essential to success. Experian is facilitating this collaboration through centrally managed hubs with API connections, allowing data to be shared across networks in compliance with regulations.
66% of Spanish managers admit that their current security tools are no longer adequate to protect them
Ana Cruz, Head of Marketing and Communications at Experian Spain comments: “In recent years, fraud has become more sophisticated, driven by the development of Generative AI, which offers speed and great complexity to cybercriminals. It is time for companies to bet on next-generation fraud strategies, in which device intelligence, behavioral analytics and Machine Learning are essential, since manual reviews and rule-based systems no longer work.”
