The number of always-on, smart devices - smartphones, laptops, tablets, smart TVs, surveillance cameras, and IoT devices - continues to grow exponentially. 

The number of IoT devices alone is estimated to cross the 32.1 billion mark by 2030. Add to this the number of mobile devices, which is expected to reach 18.22 billion in 2025. This proliferation in the number of connected devices is providing fraudsters with a wide window of opportunity to exploit them for account takeover, identity theft, social engineering, and many more types of fraudulent activities. 

The anonymity of the internet, easily accessible commoditized criminal toolkits, access to spoofing techniques, bots, and emulators, and 24x7 support, make it ridiculously easy for even amateur fraudsters to mimic genuine users and fool security systems.

And to add to the challenge of identifying fraudsters from amongst genuine users, traditional or outdated security measures fail to keep pace with the growing sophistication of fraud tactics. 

Therefore, to level up security, accurately recognize genuine users, and build a trustworthy digital ecosystem for meaningful user engagement, businesses must use advanced fraud detection technologies like Device ID.

What is Device ID

A Device ID is a unique identifier for each user device, which helps security and fraud prevention teams connect their customers with the respective unique devices they use to interact with their apps.

Unlike the hardware serial number, like the IMEI, which is a permanent identification number assigned to a device by the manufacturer, Device ID is software-generated and can change with a factory reset or app reinstall. 

We will talk more about the persistence and validity of the Device ID later in this blog. 

Why is Device ID Needed

Device ID plays a key role in ensuring a seamless, secure, and customized user experience by identifying changes to the basic device ID such as OS upgrade, firmware changes, or changes made to an account profile. By supporting device-based authentication and access control, Device ID empowers businesses to accurately distinguish between legitimate returning users and malicious devices, ensuring a safe and trustworthy digital ecosystem for genuine users.

As part of the overall device fingerprinting technique, Device ID helps differentiate one device from the other, enabling security teams to track deviations in users’ usual interaction patterns. By spotting anomalies in login patterns, purchases, or transactions, anti-fraud teams can pinpoint rogue devices and take appropriate corrective action, whether to review further or completely block the device.

Types of Device IDs

Depending on the platform and specific functions, there are several types of Device IDs.

Device IDs for Android

Developers use different types of Device IDs that serve different purposes. Some are hardware-based and persistent, while others can be reset or changed over time. Below is a deep dive into key Android device IDs, characteristics, and patterns.

Device IDs for iOS

Apple has a stricter privacy policy regarding device identifiers. Below are the key identifiers used in iOS devices. Apple’s privacy-first approach limits tracking methods, making iOS identifiers harder to use for long-term tracking. 

Other Types of Device IDs

• IMEI: The International Mobile Equipment Identity is a 15-digit unique identification number for mobile phones. Telecom providers use this identifier to track and block fraudulent mobile devices.
• Device Fingerprint: A composite identifier that comprises several device attributes such as browser, OS, screen size, plugins, etc, to uniquely identify and profile devices.
• IP Address Combined with Device ID: Helps detect proxy or VPN use associated with fraudulent behavior by tracking the geolocation of a device.
• Session or Token IDs: These are device-linked, temporary identifiers that help maintain session integrity and detect malicious activities like session hijacking.

Role of Device ID in Fraud Prevention

Device ID powers the efforts to identify malicious devices to help prevent fraud and improve user security. This includes:

• Account Takeovers (ATO): In account takeover attacks, fraudsters use stolen or fabricated user information to gain unauthorized access to legitimate user accounts. Passive device identification adds an extra level of verification. Therefore, even if a fraudster uses a valid username and password, an unfamiliar device can trigger additional verification of the suspicious user. If the device in use is found associated with past instances of fraud, it may be blocked instantaneously.
  
• Multi-Account Fraud: Fraudsters often create multiple accounts to exploit new joiner bonuses, redemption points, and rewards that businesses offer to attract new customers. Device ID helps prevent multi-account fraud by identifying malicious or compromised devices that are used to create multiple accounts and allowing only one account per device.
• Bot Attacks: To quickly achieve scale with the least possible investment, fraudsters resort to bot-driven attacks, especially for credential harvesting, credential stuffing, and card testing. However, with a persistent device ID, it is possible to identify each unique device and unearth bot attack patterns to prevent automated fraud.
• False Positives: Incorrectly classifying genuine users as suspicious and subjecting them to additional verification steps can degrade user experience and lead to customer discontent. Using a consistent device ID helps recognize real users even when they switch locations or devices, which can make their digital interactions seem suspicious.
• Enabling Risk-Based Authentication: Using Device ID as part of risk assessment reduces friction for legitimate users. When a device tries to access a business network, its unique ID is matched against a database of approved IDs. A successful match approves the user for onward digital interactions, whereas unmatched devices are either subject to further verification or blocked.

How Fraudsters Evade Device Identification

Fraudsters have found workarounds for most cyber defenses out there. Bypassing device identification and committing fraud in an undetected manner has become second nature. Here are a few of them.

Device Spoofing 

Cybercriminals use emulators, virtual machines, or device manipulation tools to alter device attributes, making it appear as a different device. This helps them bypass anti-fraud measures that rely on static identifiers like IMEI or Android ID.

MAC Address Randomization

Since many anti-fraud systems rely on MAC addresses, fraudsters use tools to change or spoof their MAC addresses dynamically. This allows them to appear as a new device whenever they connect to a network.

IP & Location Masking

Cybercriminals can hide their actual IP addresses, making device-based geolocation tracking ineffective by using VPNs, location spoofing, proxy servers, or TOR networks.

User-Agent Manipulation 

Fraudsters modify their browser’s user-agent string or manipulate fingerprinting attributes (e.g., screen resolution, fonts, WebGL settings) to appear as a legitimate but untraceable user.

Device ID Reset

Most developers use resettable IDs, like GAID (Google Advertising ID) or IDFA (Identifier for Advertisers), to track users. Fraudsters exploit this by frequently resetting these IDs to appear as a new user. Device ID reset is also widely used in app install fraud, where fraudsters reset the device ID to generate fake attributions and claim multiple sign-up promos or offers.

As fraudsters evolve their tactics, businesses need multi-layered fraud detection, combining device intelligence, behavioral analytics, and AI-driven risk assessment to stay ahead.

Device ID in Action

Device ID comes into play as soon as a user accesses a service or app through a device. This unique ID is retrieved and combined with other digital parameters, such as browser version, operating system, screen resolution, and installed fonts, to create a comprehensive digital fingerprint of the device. By tracking this digital fingerprint, fraud detection systems monitor user behavior associated with the device. On detecting suspicious activity, such as rapid account creation, repeated failed login attempts, or fraudulent transactions, the fraud detection system either flags it for further review or blocks the device.

As consumer behavior evolves, there can be instances of users deviating from their standard behavioral patterns. For instance, a genuine device ID may suddenly start showing high-risk behavior. In such instances, using a combination of device ID analysis, geolocation, session tracking, and user behavior can help establish the legitimacy of the user while also creating a multi-layered defense against fraudsters.

Taking advantage of the evolving consumer behaviors, fraudsters are resorting to spoofing or resetting the basic device ID using tools like root/jailbreak apps, custom ROMs, spoofing software, emulators, or virtual devices. However, because the fundamental device fingerprint can still be recognized and analyzed in real time, security teams can unearth fraud attempts, such as accessing multiple accounts, multiple device IDs from the same IP address, or changing geographic locations. Furthermore, security teams can identify abnormal patterns using behavioral analytics and machine learning models that analyze historical data associated with device IDs. In addition, using device reputation systems can help track, block, or challenge device IDs that have past association with fraud.

By continuously monitoring and updating risk profiles based on device ID data, businesses can keep their fraud prevention systems adaptive to evolving fraud tactics for long-term protection. 

Privacy Concerns Around Device ID Tracking

Because device identifiers can track users without their consent or knowledge, it has raised privacy, ethical, and legal concerns. The argument being that tracking device IDs can extend beyond content personalization or fraud prevention to user profiling, advertising, or in worst cases, surveillance.

As a result, to protect users and ensure transparency in data collection, privacy regulations like the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) mandate businesses to inform users when collecting device IDs and offer opt-out options, when possible. This allows for collecting legitimate interests, which in turn helps fraud prevention and security. 

Furthermore, regulatory bodies are increasingly requiring member organizations to use device identification to punish bad actors. For instance, Control Requirements listed under Authentication (4.4(g)) in the Counter-Fraud Framework (CFF) by the Saudi Central Bank reads:‍

“Multi-factor authentication conducted by Member Organisations for identification or transaction verification should not solely consist of One Time Passwords (OTPs) sent via SMS. Member Organisations should implement additional factors, including but not limited to: 

1. Approval of transactions through Mobile App (e.g., sending a push notification to a mobile app on a trusted device).
2. Device characteristics (e.g., trusted/known mobile device).
3. Geolocation (e.g., verifying location, IP address or checking mobile network).
4. Behavioural profile (e.g., variations to usual transaction volume, value, frequency, and/or currency).
5. Biometric behavioural profile (e.g., identification of changes in the way a customer or employee uses a browser or device).”

Device ID has emerged as an important component in fraud detection as it allows businesses to link user behavior with specific devices. Given growing privacy concerns, businesses are using advanced device fingerprinting and behavioral analytics to improve security without compromising user experience. 

In a shift from unrestricted third-party tracking, Apple's iOS 14.5 update introduced the App Tracking Transparency (ATT) framework, requiring apps to obtain explicit user consent before accessing the IDFA. In the ATT framework, an app seeking to use the IDFA prompts the user for permission. If the user declines, the app cannot access the IDFA, limiting its ability to track user activity.

Future Trends in Device ID

In the backdrop of privacy-conscious fraud prevention, long-term tracking will likely become limited. Device ID will evolve to witness greater adoption of privacy-preserving identifiers, such as temporary or resettable IDs, providing users with greater control over tracking. As a result, businesses will need to rely more on contextual signals and device fingerprinting.

Artificial Intelligence, machine learning, and behavioral biometrics will fuel more adaptive and intelligent fraud detection, unlike the current reliance on static identifiers. Therefore, multi-layered authentication that combines device ID with biometric and behavioral data will become more commonplace. The reliance on traditional device IDs will further reduce with zero trust architectures and decentralized identity (DID) systems that verify devices in real time without storing persistent identifiers.

Why Choose Bureau Device ID

Device ID is a critical element in accurately tracking user behavior, identifying risky devices, and safeguarding genuine users.

Bureau Device ID is an advanced device identification system that leverages several cutting-edge technologies, including machine learning, and behavioral biometrics, among others, to improve user identity verification and reduce fraud attempts, all while maintaining minimal friction for genuine users. It creates unique, persistent identifiers for each device, enabling businesses to create a comprehensive fingerprint for every device and strike the much-needed balance between fraud detection and superior user experience.

However, Bureau doesn’t just offer risk scores. Bureau Device ID combines a wide range of risk insights with anti-spoofing technology to ensure precise device tracking that identifies and stops automated or human-driven attacks early in their tracks. Using behavioral signals such as form activity, speed, sensor data, etc., Bureau enables businesses to match user behavior with specific devices, accurately recognize returning users for uninterrupted digital journeys, and stop fraud.

With the ability to withstand factory resets, privacy plugins, incognito modes, and other device alteration tactics, Bureau’s device identification remains unchanged for as many applications and mobile numbers the fraudster is using on the device. Bureau provides 85+ risk signals like GPS/ location spoofing, use of emulator, remote session, VPN, TOR User, and many others, to provide businesses with accurate and seamless device fingerprinting, protecting them from evolving device spoofing tactics.

Bureau also makes interpreting data and connecting the dots simpler. With device graphs, Bureau helps businesses establish associations between device IDs and users, for instance, five phones with 50 accounts, to proactively prevent fraud and secure legitimate transactions.

See Bureau Device ID in action. Book a demo now.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Are IMEI and device ID the same?

No. The IMEI is a hardware-based identifier specific to mobile phones, whereas other device IDs, like Android ID or IDFA, are software-based and can be reset. Developers can’t use IMEI for device identification due to privacy reasons.

How to find the device ID of an iPhone?

• IDFA: Not directly accessible but can be viewed in apps that request it.
• IDFV: Only available to app developers via UIDevice.current.identifierForVendor.
• IMEI: Go to Settings → General → About and scroll down to find the IMEI.

Can a device ID be reset?

Some device IDs can be reset, while others cannot:

• Resettable: Google Advertising ID (GAID), IDFA, Android ID (via factory reset).
• Non-resettable: IMEI, MAC address (though it can be randomized on newer devices).

How do I find my device ID?

• On Android: Go to Settings → About Phone → Status (for IMEI) or Settings → Google → Ads (for GAID).
• On iOS: IMEI is found under Settings → General → About. IDFA is only accessible through apps with tracking permissions.

Why are device IDs important?

Device IDs help in fraud prevention, advertising, analytics, authentication, and device tracking. They allow apps and services to recognize users and personalize experiences while maintaining security.

Is it possible for cybercriminals to spoof device IDs?

Yes, fraudsters can spoof device IDs. They deploy techniques like device spoofing, MAC address randomization, VPNs, and ID resets to bypass device ID detection and commit fraud.

Is sharing my device ID safe?

Avoid sharing permanent device IDs like IMEI or MAC addresses, as they can be misused. Resettable IDs like GAID or IDFA are safer but still affect personalized services if misused.