Kota bharu: The convenience of paying zakat digitally is no longer merely about speeding up transactions, as technological advances are opening up new avenues for zakat institutions to strengthen protection for payers against cyber fraud threats. While users previously had to be more cautious in identifying legitimate links, websites, or QR codes, advances in artificial intelligence (AI), behavioral analytics, and identity authentication could enable systems to detect suspicious transactions before they result in losses. The approach is also becoming increasingly relevant as zakat institutions expand digital payment channels to facilitate transactions for payers without the need to visit physical counters.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the Federal Territories Islamic Religious Council's Zakat Collection Centre (PPZ-MAIWP) has implemented the Digital Zakat Counter (KZD), enabling zakat obligations to be fulfilled via telephone. The service allows zakat consultants to perform checks and calculations before payers receive a payment link via FPX or debit and credit cards, with an official receipt issued after payment. This development highlights the importance of transaction security, payment links, and identity verification in the remote payment process.
In this context, new technologies have the potential to shift the security approach from merely responding after fraud has occurred to efforts to identify suspicious signs at an earlier stage. Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) Centre for Cyber Security lecturer Assoc Prof Dr. Masnizah Mohd points out that AI can help zakat institutions analyze transaction patterns and identify anomalies based on factors such as amount, frequency, location, device, and usage patterns. This proactive prevention can identify changes that deviate from users' normal behavior, assessing whether a transaction requires further scrutiny.
Masnizah emphasizes that AI has the potential to detect fake websites, suspicious accounts, and phishing campaigns quickly, allowing institutions to act before more users fall victim. Additionally, the use of biometric authentication like facial recognition or fingerprints provides an extra layer of security, ensuring transactions are genuinely approved by the account holder. When combined with transaction authentication mechanisms, this approach allows users to confirm important details before final approval.
She advises that digital security requires a layered approach, with measures such as high-risk transaction authentication, real-time monitoring, access controls, kill-switch mechanisms, and fraud response channels forming a comprehensive protection ecosystem. These systems should identify unusual transactions and issue alerts or block actions when risk levels are high. Despite AI's capabilities, human oversight, privacy protection, and a collaborative effort with governmental bodies are essential.
Masnizah concludes that users remain a critical defense layer, as scammers may manipulate them into approving fraudulent transactions. Technological advancements in AI and biometrics offer zakat institutions the tools to bolster payer confidence in digital transactions, ensuring that security is prioritized alongside transaction speed. The future of the digital zakat ecosystem relies on the seamless integration of technology, institutional measures, and user awareness to safeguard transactions effectively.