How can I prevent fraud on my e-commerce site?

PSBill provides the highest level of encryptionyour average order value, instead of calculating
available in the industry. But no amount ofthe vast profits you feel you are about to make
encryption or security can prevent fraud if thefrom this sale, you should exercise caution.
fraudster has managed to get hold of cardMultiple transaction attempts
numbers and other details from credit cards thatAs a PSBill merchant, you have been given access
haven't been reported as stolen. Unfortunately, asto view all your transactions in the backoffice
credit and banking laws stand, it is you, thearea. If you detect multiple failed attempts from
merchant, who must bear the financial cost ofthe same person followed by an authorisation, this
any fraudulent transactions. However, if you arecould signal fraud. With the backoffice, you have
fully aware of the risk of fraud when trading onthe ability to suspend settlement of such
the Internet, you stand a better chance oftransactions using settlement control.
avoiding its consequences.IP blocking
Based on the experience we have gained afterPSBill also offers the ability to block certain IP
many years in the business of onlineaddresses from your payment facility.
authorisations, we would recommend you takeUnfortunately, this is not infallible. Some persistent
the steps listed on this page to help you tofraudsters will merely sign in using another ISP. In
reduce the risk of fraud. Please note that thesethese instances, we cannot prevent internet
steps and suggestions are only a guideline, andaccess to these people because it becomes
that this is not the definitive list of precautionsimpossible to detect a repeat attempt when a
you can take. Fraudsters are finding new ways ofdifferent ISP is used.
committing their crimes all the time, and there isAddress checks
no absolute solution to prevent online card fraud.Address verification (AVS) will do this for you
Address verification and card security codesautomatically on most cards issued in the USA
Online address verification (AVS) and cardand UK. If AVS won't work on a particular card,
security code checking (CVV2, CVC2) are nowor you are not using AVS for some reason, then
available through all the banks with whom PSBill isyou may be able to call your acquiring bank and
integrated. These services are free of charge,ask for a "Code 10 check" to verify the
and we recommend that all our merchants usecardholder address, although this kind of check is
them. You will need to add extra fields to yournot available on all card types.
customised forms in order to use these features;Deferred settlement
full instructions are in the Address VerificationIf you sell high value goods, then it would be
(AVS) and Security Code Guide, which you canprudent to defer automatic settlement until you
download from the technical documents page.have had a chance to vet the order.
For more information about address verificationConfirmed delivery
and card security codes, see our fraud controlSignature upon delivery is NOT acceptable proof
page.to the banks in the event of a dispute. However,
Free email addressesif you do operate this policy, make sure that you
Be wary of transactions that originate from freealways use a reliable delivery agent. Should you
email accounts (such as Hotmail or Yahoo!). Freesubsequently wish to raise a suspected fraud
email accounts are easy to set up and theycase with the police, such information would be
enable a fraudster to retain total anonymity - novital in attempting to establish whether fraud has
proof of ID is required when opening a free emailtaken place.
account. We are not suggesting that everyLook like you mean business
customer who uses a free email account is aMake it clear on your web site that you operate
potential villain - many people have quite legitimateanti-fraud precautions, and that you will make
reasons for using them - but the use of a freeevery effort to find and prosecute fraudsters
email account should be considered particularlywho abuse your online shopping system. Even if
suspicious if it occurs in conjunction with one oryou lack the resources to do this, it may
more of the other circumstances listed on thisencourage fraudsters to look for easier targets
page.elsewhere.
Suspect countriesSummary
Always check your delivery addresses. CountriesPSBill is reliant on the banks for authorisation
with the highest incidence of online card fraudcodes. We run additional fraud checks that
include many parts of Asia (including Indonesia,operate across our systems looking for suspicious
Malaysia and Singapore), the Baltic region, Easternpatterns in an attempt to avert large hits on any
Europe, Africa and South America.of our merchants’ sites. But as the merchant,
Transaction valuesyou also need to be vigilant and take responsibility
Be aware of the general average value of yourfor your own transactions. If in any doubt, place
Internet sales. If you suddenly receive anthe transaction on hold and do not despatch the
authorised order for an amount that far exceedsgoods. Allow yourself time to investigate.