Identity Impersonation: A Growing Strategic Threat

New American Funding's Jeff Farinich on Stopping AI-Fueled Identity Fraud Early Tom Field (SecurityEditor) • January 1, 2026

Identity impersonation is no longer an emerging threat. It is a strategic attack vector. Jeff Farinich, senior vice president of technology services and CISO at New American Funding, said attackers are exploiting weak hiring processes to infiltrate companies, often posing as job candidates to access systems and payroll. Artificial intelligence is amplifying the scale and speed of these attacks.

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Identity verification tools exist but Farinich said adoption remains low. Many organizations don't understand the threat or hesitate to deploy the tools, due to perceived user friction. At New American Funding, implementation began with leadership buy-in, cultural shifts and legal compliance, especially with biometric consent and global ID nuances.

"The technology is there. It's getting pretty mature. It's just ...