Protecting Your Website From Fraudulent Transactions

Web-based businesses are particularly vulnerableentirely. Balancing security with usability is the trick.
to fraudulent transactions, simply because theyOne option for smaller business owners is to allow
can't verify a person's identity by looking at them.transactions when the credit card information is
Typically, when fraudulent purchases are madecorrect, but to call clients for confirmation if any
and found, merchants are the ones that have tored flags are present, like high priced orders or
cover the cost of the lost services orexpedited shipping. Phone confirmations, however,
merchandise. Luckily, there are many ways tomay be too much hassle for larger businesses to
detect and stop fraudulent transactions andhandle.
prevent your business from being victimized.There are some unobtrusive security
The best way to detect fraudulent credit cardspecifications that business owners should
transactions is to know how they work. One ofconsider. First, since card testing relies on different
the more basic methods fraudsters use to findresponses for declined cards based on the reason
valid credit card numbers is simply to plug infor the decline, consider using the same response
randomly generated credit card numbers andfor each declined transaction. This will require
expiration dates to a website's payment page untilcustomers to re-enter all of their card information
a transaction is approved. This type of fraud isin the event that their card is rejected, but it will
easy to detect because there are usually a highsave you from being a target for card testers.
volume of declined transactions before a creditSecond, make correct billing addresses a
card and expiration date are matched. Anotherrequirement. Since card testers don't typically
type of credit card fraud is when someone withhave any information besides a card number,
access to accurate credit card information placesrequiring a billing address that corresponds with
an order with the intent of actually receiving thethe credit card will eliminate card testing entirely.
product they ordered. Some red flags for thisThird, require customers to provide the three digit
type of transaction are: high priced orders, unusualsecurity code printed on the back of the credit
amounts of products, different shipping and billingcard. This will eliminate some fraudulent orders,
addresses, orders from foreign countries, andbecause customers will have to have seen the
expedited shipping.card in order to give an accurate security code.
Fortunately, most credit card processing servicesEmploying these methods will help to protect your
provide customizable security options for eachbusiness from many fraudulent transactions.
business. Unfortunately, there is such a thing asHowever, your best defense against fraud is
too much security. If your security specificationssimply to pay attention to the orders you receive
are too strict, you risk rejecting legitimateand communicate with your customers in any
transactions and complicating your orderingway possible. Personal interaction is the best way
process to the point that people avoid your shopto detect and prevent fraud.