ClearSale
Open-source intelligence (OSINT) collects, analyzes and interprets information that’s available to the public through open sources such as websites, forums and social media.
For financial institutions, the pressure to stay ahead of cybercriminals has never been higher. Fraud schemes are becoming more complex, more coordinated and harder to detect. In this landscape, tools like OSINT play a crucial role in helping banks, credit unions and fintechs protect both their operations and their customers.
So, what exactly is OSINT — and how does ClearSale turn it into a powerful weapon against fraud?
Understanding the Concept of OSINT
OSINT refers to the practice of gathering publicly available information from sources such as websites, social media platforms, messaging forums, public records, paste sites and more. These open sources are often where cybercriminals communicate, share stolen data and coordinate scams — which means they can also be used to expose threats before they hit.
For financial institutions, OSINT is more than a monitoring tool — it's an early-warning system. It provides valuable context around how threats are developing and where vulnerabilities exist, often before traditional security systems detect a problem.
Why Monitor Open-Source Data?
The constant surveillance of open-source channels allows institutions to stay one step ahead of fraud. By analyzing conversations, leaked credentials, suspicious links or mentions of a company or brand in illicit forums, businesses can:
- Detect breaches early
- Monitor for impersonation and phishing activity
- Understand fraudster tactics and networks
- Prevent brand misuse and customer deception
This level of insight helps organizations respond faster and more strategically to threats, significantly reducing risk exposure.
Threats Detected by OSINT
The value of OSINT lies in its ability to uncover threats that may never trigger internal security alarms. By scanning open sources like forums, messaging platforms, paste sites and social media, organizations gain early insight into malicious activities that are already in motion. Here are some of the most common — and critical — threats OSINT can help detect:
Phishing Campaigns
OSINT helps uncover phishing campaigns before they hit their targets. By monitoring chatter on criminal forums or detecting cloned versions of corporate websites, financial institutions can identify fake login pages or scam email templates designed to trick customers into surrendering their personal information.
Credential Leaks
When internal login credentials or customer account data appear in a breach or stealer log, it often gets posted or traded in dark web marketplaces and private Telegram groups. OSINT tools scan these spaces for leaked credentials associated with corporate domains or customer emails, giving security teams a chance to respond before the data is exploited.
Payment Card Compromise
Fraudsters frequently share or sell stolen credit card data — often in bulk — across hidden corners of the web. By monitoring these areas, OSINT can alert financial institutions when card numbers tied to their issuing banks are circulating online, helping them take preemptive action before unauthorized charges occur.
Discussions Around Malware or Exploits
Hackers often discuss new malware variants or vulnerabilities in open forums before launching coordinated attacks. OSINT platforms can detect these conversations early and flag mentions of specific organizations or sectors, giving institutions a crucial window to shore up defenses.
Impersonation and Brand Misuse
Scammers create fake websites, social media profiles, and mobile apps designed to look like legitimate financial institutions — often as a way to phish customers or promote fraudulent services. OSINT can identify these impersonations quickly and enable institutions to take them down before they cause widespread harm.
Insider Threats and Fraud Rings
Occasionally, fraud involves internal actors or coordinated external groups. OSINT can reveal unusual activity patterns, such as the resale of insider-only information or collaborative schemes shared in encrypted chats. These early signals help organizations investigate and respond before fraud escalates.
By bringing these threats to light — many of which operate well outside the visibility of traditional cybersecurity tools — OSINT gives financial institutions the intelligence they need to act quickly and confidently.
Benefits of Constant Monitoring to Prevent Fraud
Continuous monitoring enables financial institutions to act quickly — often before customers are affected or systems are compromised. Benefits include:
- Faster incident detection and response
- Better visibility into external threats
- Protection of customer trust and brand reputation
- Stronger compliance posture and reduced regulatory risk
Most importantly, continuous OSINT-based monitoring helps financial organizations take a proactive — not reactive — approach to fraud.
ClearSale’s Cyber Threat Intelligence and Brand Protection Suite
ClearSale’s Cyber Threat Intelligence (CTI) solution is designed to meet the real-world challenges financial institutions face today. More than just a data stream, CTI brings together cutting-edge technology, deep fraud expertise, and investigative services to provide a well-rounded, action-oriented defense.
Key Features of ClearSale’s CTI Platform:
- Real-Time Monitoring of Surface, Deep and Dark Web: Monitor Telegram, Discord, GitHub, forums, paste sites and more for emerging threats.
- Credential and Data Leak Detection: Identify when employee or customer data is exposed so you can take immediate action.
- Malware Stealer Surveillance: Detect when login credentials are being captured through infostealers — and where they’re being used.
- Payment Card Monitoring (where applicable): Identify card BINs being circulated in illicit channels.
Brand Protection Capabilities:
In parallel, ClearSale’s Brand Protection platform provides constant surveillance of the public-facing web to identify and remove:
- Fake websites and phishing pages
- Unauthorized use of branding or logos
- Fraudulent ads or social media accounts
- Counterfeit listings on marketplaces
When threats are detected, ClearSale doesn’t just notify — it acts. The platform automates takedown requests with hosting providers and platforms, handling the heavy lifting so your internal team can focus on core operations.
Why Financial Institutions Rely on ClearSale
What sets ClearSale apart is its ability to combine automated threat detection with a team of fraud experts who can dive deeper into suspicious activity. This human-led investigation capability is especially valuable when fraud patterns aren’t clear or when institutions need to trace threat actors across multiple platforms.
Whether it's helping a bank identify phishing campaigns targeting its customers or assisting a credit union in removing fake lending sites misusing its name, ClearSale offers a level of visibility and responsiveness that most institutions simply can’t achieve on their own.
Take the Next Step Toward Better Protection
Fraud is evolving — and your defense strategy needs to evolve with it. With ClearSale’s Cyber Threat Intelligence and Brand Protection solutions, financial institutions can finally move from reactive damage control to proactive threat prevention.
Learn more about how ClearSale’s Cyber Threat Intelligence solution works — and how it can help you safeguard your business.
