Welsh tech leads the fight as identity fraud surges across UK real estate

Cardiff-based fintech Credas has published new research exposing a sharp rise in identity fraud across the UK real estate sector. According to a survey of 250 property professionals, 70% have experienced an increase in fraud attempts over the past year—yet only 14% say these cases are regularly reported to authorities.

The findings underline the growing importance of technology in combating digital deception. Nearly two-thirds (65%) of real estate firms now rely on digital or automated systems to detect fraudulent activity, showing a marked shift toward tech-led defences.

More than half (52%) of professionals surveyed reported encountering fake ID documents, with 34% naming fraud as their biggest challenge in identity verification. This was followed by concerns over customer experience (24%) and operational inefficiencies (20%).

Tim Barnett, CEO of Credas, commented:
“Fraud is getting worse. But the good news is that technology is not just keeping pace, it’s gaining ground. Digital ID verification is proving to be one of the most effective tools in detecting and preventing fraud, while also improving the experience for legitimate customers. The future of fraud prevention is automated, intelligent, and proactive.”

Despite the rise in fraud, the research highlights a concerning gap in enforcement. Over half (56%) of real estate professionals rarely or never escalate fraud cases to the authorities, prompting fresh concerns about the robustness of the sector’s response.

“As fraudsters grow more sophisticated, the message is clear,” Barnett added. “The real estate industry must adopt more advanced techniques to stay ahead.”

Founded in 2016 and proudly headquartered in Cardiff, Credas is a Welsh fintech success story. Now part of the Dye & Durham group, Credas verifies over four million individuals a year and was the first Identity Service Provider to be certified to a ‘very high’ confidence level under the UK Government Trust Framework.

For more information or to access the full report, please contact Credas directly.