Starling launches AI tool for scam monitoring

TL;DR: UK challenger bank Starling has launched what it claims is the UK’s first AI tool designed to detect purchase scams. The Scam Intelligence tool, developed with Google Cloud, allows users to upload images and advertisements from online marketplaces for fraud assessment.

UK challenger bank Starling has unveiled a significant addition to its fraud prevention capabilities: an AI-powered tool specifically designed to identify purchase scams through image analysis.

Context and Background

The Scam Intelligence tool addresses a substantial problem for UK consumers. Financial scams cost citizens over £1.17 billion in 2024 alone, with purchase scams representing a significant portion of these losses.

The tool allows users to upload images and advertisements from online marketplaces for fraud assessment. Following analysis, the platform delivers “personalised guidance” to users regarding potential fraud risks, enabling them to make more informed decisions about online purchases.

Developed in collaboration with Google Cloud, this represents Starling’s second AI initiative, following the earlier launch of its Spending Intelligence service in June 2025. The bank’s progressive approach to AI implementation reflects a broader industry trend towards practical, customer-facing applications of machine learning technology.

Technical Partnership

Graham Dury, director of Financial Services Innovation at Google Cloud UK and Ireland, stated: “Fraud is a huge problem for UK consumers, and we believe AI can be a powerful tool to help tackle it.”

The Google Cloud partnership provides Starling with sophisticated image analysis capabilities, enabling the system to identify visual patterns and indicators commonly associated with fraudulent listings and scam advertisements.

Looking Forward

Catherine Britton, head of fraud risk at Starling Bank, emphasized that the bank aims to help customers be “Good with money, from how they spend it to how they save and protect it.”

This launch positions Starling as a leader in consumer-facing fraud prevention technology within the UK banking sector. The tool’s effectiveness will likely be measured by its ability to prevent losses whilst maintaining a positive user experience—a balance that has challenged many fraud prevention initiatives.

For other financial institutions, Starling’s approach demonstrates the practical application of AI in addressing specific, measurable problems rather than pursuing AI initiatives for their own sake. The focus on image-based scam detection addresses a genuine gap in consumer protection capabilities.

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