Mastercard warns of a growing concern over high-tech methods; 40% of those surveyed fear deepfakes and voice cloning, AI-powered tools that are transforming the perception of security. Soledad Rovira, Country Manager for Panama and Belize at Mastercard, pointed out that digital transformation presents a dual reality. According to the study, 53% of Panamanians identify fraud as their biggest concern when making digital transactions, making it the main emotional barrier in the modern economy.
The report details that the most frequent scam modalities in Panama include phone calls (38%), social media platform fraud (29%), and phishing tactics (28%). Ana Lucía Magliano, Executive Vice President of Services for the company, concluded that the digital economy will continue to accelerate as long as security and innovation are inseparable.
To mitigate these risks, Mastercard has invested $11 billion in cybersecurity over the last five years, integrating advanced analytics and the Mastercard Threat Intelligence system to detect attacks before they occur. Meanwhile, real-time transfers and digital wallets are gaining ground, especially among the younger public.
According to Mastercard data, 40% of consumers in the country show alarm at new threats such as voice cloning and deepfakes in the financial environment. Despite 90% of Panamanians feeling capable of protecting themselves, Mastercard identifies a gender gap in security education, with a higher demand for alerts and clear refund policies from women.
The results of the study are clear regarding trust: 95% of users trust banks and 86% trust payment networks to safeguard their assets.
