A method of authenticating users to reduce transaction risks includes indicating a desire to conduct a transaction, inputting information in a workstation, and determining whether the inputted information is known. Moreover, the method includes determining a state of a communications device when the inputted information is known, and transmitting a biometric authentication request from a server to a workstation when the state of the communications device is enrolled. Additionally, the method includes obtaining biometric authentication data in accordance with a biometric authentication data capture request with the communications device, biometrically authenticating the user, generating a one-time pass-phrase and storing the one-time pass-phrase on the authentication system when the user is authenticated, comparing the transmitted one-time pass-phrase against the stored one-time pass-phrase, and conducting the transaction when the transmitted and stored one-time pass-phrases match.