Merchant concern about online credit card fraud and chargebacks is rising at a significant rate. According to
2001 Online Fraud Report, conducted by Mindwave Research, it revealed that, "41% of merchants say
issue of online credit card fraud is 'very serious' to their business." As e- commerce continues to flourish
number of instances of credit card fraud and chargebacks will continue to mount higher. It should go without saying that
need to take certain measures to reduce and virtually eliminate chargebacks and fraud is certainly paramount.Here are some ways you can greatly reduce
instances of chargebacks and fraud, even potentially eliminate
risk altogether:
#10 Interactive Voice Response (IVR) Terminals
IVR Terminals, developed by VoiceStamps http://www.voicestamps.com, are a relatively new solution that greatly reduces chargebacks and fraud by collecting a "voice stamp" or voice authorization and verification from
customer before
merchant ships
order. The voice recorded order verification is then automatically e-mailed to
merchant for filing in
event
customer tries to dispute
charge on their account.
#9 Collect CVC2 and CVV2 Verification Numbers
This tactic alone can not only reduce instances of chargebacks by 26%, according to Visa, but also reduce any pass-through fees that may be charged when a credit card order is conducted. On
back of MasterCard, most Visa and Discover credit cards is a 3-digit security code located right after your credit card number. Requiring customers to give
3-digit code acts as an additional verification measure.
American Express cards also have a similar security code that is located on
front of
card right above
cardholder's account number and is usually 4-digits long. Most online payment processors support entering
security codes when processing credit card orders. Check with your payment gateway provider (i.e. Verisign, Authorize.Net, ECHO Inc., etc) for details.
#8 Use Address Verification System (AVS)
AVS checks to ensure
address entered on
order form matches
address to where
cardholder's billing statements are mailed to. People ordering products and/or services using a stolen card number will never use
real cardholder's billing address, so this is your chance to stop
order before it's too late. AVS only works with orders conducted in
US. Failure to use AVS when processing credit card transactions will always result in paying higher credit card processing fees.
#7 Scrutinize orders from developing foreign countries
A large percentage of fraudulent Internet purchases are made from Indonesia, Russia, and other eastern block or developing countries. Accept orders from such countries at your own risk until a worldwide AVS system is developed.
#6 Let customers know what name will appear on statements