Klarna launches in-app call verification in Nordics

Klarna has launched an in-app Call Status Detection feature in Sweden, Norway, Finland and Denmark. The feature is enabled by default for iOS users in those markets; Android users must turn it on in the Klarna app settings.

If a user receives a call from someone claiming to be from Klarna, they can open the app and view a banner at the top of the screen. A green banner indicates the call has been verified and may be continued; an amber banner means Klarna could not verify the caller and the user should hang up. Klarna says the tool complements the Klarna Inbox, which validates written communications such as emails, texts and letters.

Klarna described caller impersonation as a fast-growing threat and noted that phone numbers can be spoofed, making caller ID unreliable. The company cited figures that fraudsters steal more than €4 billion across Europe each year.

Klarna plans to introduce the feature in additional regions but did not provide a rollout timetable. The company has been investing in verification and fraud-prevention tools as it expands its payments and banking services.

Woody Malouf, Klarna’s head of financial crime, commented: “Scammers are getting more sophisticated and we want to do everything we can to help consumers fight back. Adding Call Status Detection to our existing Inbox feature gives consumers an easy and quick way to verify what’s real and keep their money safe.”