Mobile App Fraud Prevention in 2025: What Should You Really Budget For?

Let’s get real: no founder plans to lose money to fraud, but in 2025, skipping security is like handing your wallet to a stranger.

This year, Bybit lost $1.5B in minutes because they missed a basic device check. That’s not rare anymore. If you build apps, this stuff matters.

What’s happening right now

• App fraud is rising — fast. Last year, users lost $12.5B to scammers.

• Regulators (PCI DSS 4.0, PSD2, HIPAA) are handing out fines for every leaked record.

• Fixing fraud after it happens is always more expensive than doing it right the first time.

What actually works (tested by our team)

• MFA where money moves. Google Authenticator or Authy — 2 hours to set up.

• Device checks at login. Catches bots before they hit your users. Takes a day to add with a ready-made SDK.

• Risk scoring for logins. Most users see nothing new, but fraud attempts get flagged.

We rolled out this stack in a healthcare app:
Fraud dropped by 90%. Real users just kept signing up — no extra hassle, no angry emails.

So, what will it cost?

• For most apps, it’s about $5K–$20K for the initial setup and $600–$2,500/month after launch.

• That’s a lot less than a single breach (which can hit $50K+ in lost cash, refunds, and stress).

Thinking about building it all yourself?

You can, but unless you have a top-notch security team and a lot of time, plugging in a proven SDK will save your nerves and budget.

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If you want real numbers (with SDK names, costs, and a simple plan), I broke it all down here:
👉 Mobile App Fraud Prevention Cost in 2025

Or just use our free calculator to get a tailored cost estimate in minutes:
👉 App Security Calculator

Any questions? Have your own fraud-prevention tips? Share in the comments — always happy to chat with fellow builders!