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  3. Step up a login

Use case: Step up a login

Prove it’s still them before anything risky.

Codes and pushes prove someone has a device. Before a wire, a payout change, a sensitive record or an admin action, Vouched re-proves the person with a live selfie matched to their enrolled identity.

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Step-up verification before a wireMaya is signed in and starts an $8,500 wire. Your rules flag it, she takes a live selfie that is matched to her enrolled identity, and the wire is released and logged for audit. STEP-UPMaya R.Sending an $8,500 wire1Signed in, then starts a high-risk action2Your rules flag it for step-up3Live selfie matched to her identity4Wire released, logged for auditRESULTVERIFIED

The problem

A session isn’t a person.

Phishing kits steal codes and session cookies, SIM swaps redirect texts, and stolen tokens impersonate trusted apps. Once inside, attackers act as the user.

Phishing

1,000s

Of organizations targeted by a kit that bypasses MFA

Tokens

700+

Organizations reached with stolen app tokens

SIM swap

$33M

Awarded after attackers took over a customer’s codes

Breach

190M

People affected after a sign-in with stolen credentials

Sources: Proofpoint, 2025 · FINRA, 2025 · SecurityWeek, 2025 · CyberInsider, 2025

How it works

Step up at the moments that matter.

Your rules decide when. Vouched decides who.

  1. 1

    Flag

    Your rules flag a high-risk action: a wire, new payee, payout change, sensitive record, admin action or new device.

  2. 2

    Prompt

    The user takes a live selfie, checked for liveness.

  3. 3

    Match

    Vouched matches it to their enrolled identity in seconds.

  4. 4

    Allow or block

    On a match the action proceeds; otherwise it’s blocked or sent for review, and every decision is logged.

Compared

How step-up methods hold up.

Every factor proves something. Only a selfie matched to a verified identity proves who.

Reset methodProves the personResists phishingResists SIM swapWhat it proves
SMS codeNoNoCodes can be relayedNoAccess to a phone number
Authenticator push or codeNoPartlyPush fatigue and relay attacksYesAccess to an enrolled device
PasskeyPartlyOpens a device, not tied to a verified identityYesYesPossession of a device
Vouched selfie step-upYesLive face matched to enrolled identityYesNothing to relayYesWho the person is

Who it’s for

Wherever a session isn’t enough.

Step up only where the risk is, so everyday sign-ins stay fast.

Financial servicesWires and payoutsConfirm wires, new payees and payout changes.Financial services →CryptocurrencyWithdrawalsConfirm withdrawals to new wallets and security changes.Cryptocurrency →Telemedicine and digital healthControlled substancesRe-verify before Schedule II–IV prescriptions and refills.Telemedicine and digital health →Health systemsClinicians and recordsStep up before sensitive record access and prescribing.Health systems →

Built on

Built on Vouched Assure.

Step-up and re-authentication reuse the identity verified at onboarding.

Vouched AssureStep-up MFAA live selfie before high-risk actions.Vouched AssureRe-authenticationRe-prove dormant and returning users.Vouched VerifyEnrollmentThe verified identity every step-up matches against.

The proof

Fast enough to finish on the first try.

Users complete verification in one pass, so fewer fall back to a call or a branch.

Completion

97%

First-attempt completion

Speed

< 60 sec

Average verification time

Accuracy

99%

ID document authentication accuracy

Source: Vouched product data

Related use cases

Other jobs Vouched does.

Each use case runs on the same verified identity, so one integration covers them all.

Use caseOnboard a new userVerify new customers, patients or employees at sign-up.Read more →Use caseRecover an accountGet locked-out users back in with a selfie, not a help desk call.Read more →Use caseReset a passwordSelf-service password and MFA resets that can’t be talked around.Read more →Use caseMatch & dedupe recordsCompare faces across records your system flags as duplicates.Read more →Use caseMeet KYC / AMLIdentity, data and sanctions checks in one flow.Read more →Use caseGovern AI agentsDetect agents and tie every action to a verified person.Read more →

Trust

Built for the security review.

Everything your security review asks for, from the SOC 2 report to the BAA, is on one page.

Visit the Trust Center
HIPAA and BAABuilt to support HIPAA compliance; BAA in place
NIST SP 800-63A IAL2Kantara-approved workflow
SOC 2 Type IIReport available under NDA
ISO 27001Information security management
Zero access to clinical recordsIdentity data only
Biometric privacyNotice and consent on every selfie

FAQ

Step-up, answered.

Straight answers about how Vouched helps you step up a login.

Contact us with a question
What is step-up authentication?

An extra check before a high-risk action, such as a wire, payout change or sensitive record. With Vouched, the step-up is a live selfie matched to the user’s enrolled identity.

Why isn’t MFA enough?

Most MFA proves possession of a device or code. Phishing kits relay codes and steal session cookies; in April 2025 one kit targeted thousands of organizations. A selfie matched to a verified identity proves who is acting.

How is this different from a passkey?

A passkey proves possession of a device and is phishing-resistant, but it isn’t tied to a verified identity. A Vouched step-up proves the person behind the device is the account owner.

When should we step up?

Wherever your rules flag risk: wires and new payees, payout or bank detail changes, withdrawals to new wallets, sensitive record access, admin actions and new devices.

Does step-up slow users down?

Only at the moments you choose. Verification averages under 60 seconds, and everyday sign-ins aren’t affected.

Does it work with our identity provider?

Yes. Vouched returns a decision your identity provider or application acts on, so it adds to the MFA you already run.

Can step-up resist SIM swaps?

Yes. There’s no code sent to a phone number, so there’s nothing for a SIM swap to intercept.

Is every step-up logged?

Yes. Every decision is logged with a full audit trail.