​Security firm ScramCard to target Australia

Hong Kong based secure payments and identity protection provider ScramCard plans to expand into Australia.

Founded by former Westpac CSO, Simon Hewitt, ScramCard incorporates multi-factor security protection into a payment card.

“Our solutions give payment card issuers, banks and businesses the ability to assure consumers that they can shop anywhere without worrying about fraud or identity theft,” he said.

According to Hewitt, multiple debit and credit cards can be linked to the EMV chip of the ScramCard with multi-factor security protection built-in.

"ScramCard gives control back to consumers by allowing them to dictate which payment card they want to use, rather than the merchant dictating which card they can use," he said.

Hewitt said that Australia represents a strong market for the company.

“While our current operating model is to work with local partners, we do believe there will be a need to eventually open a local office and this will more than likely be during the second half of 2016, when we would be looking for sales and technical resources to accelerate our growth in the region.”

He said the startup is planning to work with banking partners throughout Australia and hopes to announce a partnership in early 2016.