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Preventing fraud
Updated over 4 months ago

Safeguarding against fraud

Protecting your business from fraudulent transactions is crucial, especially when accepting card payments. Fraudsters can target businesses of any size, so it’s important to be aware of the risks and take proactive steps to safeguard your transactions. Below, we outline best practices to protect your business from fraud.

Types of fraud to be aware of:

  1. Card Not Present (CNP) fraud

    CNP fraud occurs when a transaction is made without the physical card being present, such as in online, over-the-phone, or email transactions. Since the card is not physically verified, it’s more difficult to detect fraud.

  2. Card theft and loss

    If a cardholder’s physical card is lost or stolen, fraudsters may use the card for unauthorized transactions before the cardholder can report it missing.

  3. Identity theft

    Fraudsters may steal a cardholder’s personal details to make unauthorized purchases or commit other types of fraud.

Top tips for preventing fraud:

  1. Choose Secure Payment Methods

    • Always use point-to-point encryption (P2PE) to keep card data safe during transactions.

    • Add an extra layer of protection with 3D Secure authentication for online payments. This helps confirm the cardholder's identity!

  2. Double-Check Transaction Details

    • When processing a payment, verify the card number, expiry date, and Card Security Code (CSC).

    • For Card Not Present transactions, make sure the billing address matches the cardholder’s records.

  3. Watch Out for Large or Unusual Orders

    • Be cautious with high-value or oddly large purchases—fraudsters love to try this trick!

    • If a customer is in a hurry or wants expedited shipping, verify their identity, especially if the shipping address is different from the billing address.

  4. Keep Accurate Records

    • Save all transaction records, including sales and refunds. They’re essential for resolving disputes and investigating fraud.

    • Regularly review your transaction history to spot any suspicious patterns!

  5. Train Your Team

    • Make sure your employees know how to spot the signs of fraud and what to do if they see something suspicious.

    • Encourage them to double-check any large or unusual orders and escalate any concerns for further investigation.

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