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For many online retailers, preventing fraud is of the utmost importance. Recent statistics make it simple to see why. In other words, you cannot afford to. The average cost of managing fraud grew five times in just two years, while three-quarters of merchants reported increases in fraud attempts and fraud rates measured by revenue in 2021.
Online retailers invested an average of 2% of their yearly sales in fraud prevention in 2019. That percentage increased to 10% in 2021. Online companies need merchant fraud prevention software that helps them keep checking on these frauds and prevent them.
Know These Warning Signs- Red Flags for Merchant Fraud Prevention
Criminals might use numerous strategies to defraud you of your money. A few crucial markers continue to indicate signs of fraud even when fraudsters’ methods change. Knowing what to look for is the first step in combating fraud.
Warning Signs To Look Out For Merchant Fraud Prevention Include:
Different Emails: Did a consumer create a brand-new or brief (“burner”) email address to make a transaction? This could indicate that the buyer intends to defraud and then flee.
Pricey Ticket: Fraudsters want to maximize the return on their investments. They frequently purchase expensive items that they can quickly resell for cash.
Transaction Speed: To maximize their earnings before being found, fraudsters frequently submit several transactions quickly when they have access to correct account information.
Priority Shipping: The fastest shipping option is frequently chosen by fraudsters. They desire the delivery of the items before their interception. They have no problem with extra fees. It’s not their money, after all.
Purchases In Bulk: Fraudsters continue to explore ways to make the most of their efforts.
They might decide on a particular TV model or other item and order as many of them as possible before the account is exhausted.
Address Discrepancy: The billing address on file with the bank or the address you have provided in prior transaction records will not match the shipping address supplied by a fraudster.
Multiple IP Addresses: A fraudster may use data stolen from various customers if the same IP address is linked to numerous transactions and cards.
These are a few of the most typical indications of fraud. But keep in mind this is not a complete list. Every day, criminals come up with new tactics like abusing the returns process which is why returns abuse prevention tools are becoming increasingly more important.. They are resourceful and may adapt to new technology, distribution methods, and business norms before you realize the danger they bring.
Merchant Fraud Preventing: Best Practices
Some of the fraud red flags have been looked at. Nevertheless, given the number of orders you process, you don’t have enough time to review each transaction carefully. The fraud prevention best practices listed below can help you grow your efforts.
Use Machine Learning And Ai: Machine learning technology can be used to assist in deciding whether to accept or reject a transaction. The technology leverages data and information from the past to help you make better decisions. Further improvements are made easier when the decision-making process becomes more accurate and intelligent as more data is added.
Search For A Variety Of Data Sources: If you use your data, your fraud decision-making will be biased. Try to include fraud signals from other data networks and your own. By doing this, you’ll be able to spot trends more quickly and stay abreast of new fraud threats and techniques.
Risk-Based Buyer Authentication: Indications like address and geolocation show that the buyer poses a relatively minimal risk in such transactions. Separate transactions with lesser risk from those with higher risk. However, other buyers could need a hand-over or a more thorough screening. In this manner, friction is only added when essential.
Observe PCI Standards: The purpose of PCI standards is to ensure you take the required precautions to protect customers’ data. Despite the complexity of these security procedures, PCI compliance serves as a crucial foundation. It shields you from the negative publicity resulting from a data breach, safeguards your consumers, and guards against fraudulent transactions using stolen data.
Proper Staff Training: Your best line of defense against fraud should be your staff. Particularly when performing manual evaluations of transactions, you want your team to be well-informed and aware of the symptoms of fraud activity.
Maintain Software Updates: Numerous issues might arise from outdated software. Ineffective fraud prevention techniques may miss emerging dangers. Fraudsters may use other antiquated technologies, potentially compromising your and your client’s sensitive information. Maintain a constant stream of software fixes and updates and roll them out as soon as possible.
Regularly Perform Audits: Don’t just assume that you’re taking all the necessary precautions to keep yourself and your clients safe. To ensure you carry out the essential tasks, do routine audits of all internal activities. Are you keeping up with technological advancements? Are your staff members following the rules you’ve established?
Merchant Fraud Prevention: The Bottom Line
The key to preventing fraud is using the appropriate instruments in a coordinated manner so they can cooperate and reinforce one another. By enlisting the aid of professionals and merchant fraud protection software, it will be possible to identify new fraud threats and create cutting-edge countermeasures continually. This is true for both preventing fraud and harder-to-fight problems like friendly fraud.