They asked, we delivered. LHV's customers can use the Smart-ID+ solution

LHV brings the Smart-ID+ solution to its customers, which makes the use of the Internet Bank safer and helps to reduce the risk of phishing fraud. From 16 June, the new solution will be available to Internet Bank customers. Smart-ID+ support will be added to the mobile app before Midsummer, when the latest version of the app is released in the App Store and Google Play.

We see that people are increasingly looking for ways to protect both their own and their loved ones’ money and data. Smart-ID+ is a step toward making it more difficult for fraudsters to gain access and giving people more control over their authentications.

Why is Smart-ID+ important?

Most modern scams are not based on technological weaknesses. Most often, scammers manage to simply trick people into entering PIN codes, logging in to a fake website or confirming the action they did not initiate.

Therefore, it is not enough for the authentication tool to be technically secure. It is just as important to make it easier for people to understand what they are confirming.

Smart-ID+ helps to do that.

What changes when using Smart-ID+?

When Smart-ID+ is applied, it is no longer necessary to enter the personal identification code on the website. Instead, login is securely linked to your Smart-ID app. This means that it’s much more difficult for a fraudster to get you to confirm an action you haven’t initiated yourself.

Smart-ID+ works in two ways.

• Logging in with a QR code on a computer, i.e. when you log in to the Internet Bank on a computer, a QR code will be displayed on the screen.

Open the camera or Smart-ID app on your phone, scan the QR code and confirm your login with PIN1. This way, the login is specifically linked to your device.

• Logging in from app to app on your phone

If you use the Internet Bank on the same phone, the Smart-ID app will open automatically. All you have to do is confirm the action with PIN1. Entering the personal identification code is not necessary.

The result is a faster, more convenient, and better protected login.

Technology helps, but vigilance remains most important

No security solution can completely prevent a situation where people themselves give a fraudster access.

Most modern scams are not based on technological weaknesses, but on manipulating people. Therefore, in addition to secure technical solutions, people’s vigilance and conscious behaviour remain important. That is why it is always worth remembering a few simple rules:

• do not enter PIN codes according to instructions received by phone;
• do not click on bank links sent via SMS;
• always check the website address and the sender of the e-mail;
• end the call if someone asks you to do something in the Internet Bank;
• if you are unsure, contact the bank directly using its official phone number.

The bank will never ask for your PIN codes or ask you to enter them over the phone.

In September 2025, LHV added multi-factor authentication (MFA) as an additional security measure for its customers. This means that in certain situations, the system may ask for additional confirmation, for example, when logging into the Internet Bank from a new device or from a different location than usual. Multi-factor authentication helps reduce situations where fraudsters try to gain access to a customer’s account using stolen data.

Also check the security settings of your Internet Bank

The potential impact of fraud can also be reduced if your day-to-day security settings are thought through.

• Check payment limits

Set payment and instant payment limits to meet your actual needs. If you rarely make larger payments, it doesn’t make sense to keep limits to a maximum.

• Customise card usage rights

If you do not use online shopping, contactless payments or payments abroad on a daily basis, these options should be turned off and activated only when needed.

• Turn on notifications

Notifications help to quickly detect and respond to suspicious transactions before the damage increases.

• Check the website address, also when using a mobile browser

Fraudsters are trying to find new ways to trick victims into clicking on links that lead to fake pages. The customer may be left with the impression that they are paying a traffic fine, confirming a shipment by an Omniva courier, or updating their data at the bank. Always check, including on mobile, which website you are on and stop all activity if it is in an unexpected format, for example xzcwwwwhhxxcvlhv.ee instead of lhv.ee.

• Check linked devices and contact details

Make sure that your phone number and e-mail address are up to date and that no unauthorised devices or accesses are linked to your account. It is also worth checking from time to time from the Smart-ID portal which devices are linked to your account.

• Keep savings separate

If larger amounts are not held in the same account that you use daily, the impact of possible fraud is smaller.

• For businesses: use double confirmation

Fraudsters are also actively targeting businesses. For larger payments, the double confirmation rule helps prevent situations where one person accidentally confirms a payment sent by a fraudster.

• Always use the safest solution

If you have been using another authentication method, we recommend you move to a modern, secure solution.

Download the Smart-ID app from the official app store and keep it always up to date. We also recommend using additional security layers where possible and being cautious about all unexpected calls, messages, and links that ask for PIN codes or access to a bank account.

Secure digital behaviour is not just about good technical solutions.

The most important layer of security is still you.