It's no secret that e-commerce fraud is on the rise. From phishing scams to fraudulent chargebacks, online businesses often struggle with high levels of fraud and lost income due to theft and misuse of their services. But don't worry – there are some steps you can take to help reduce the chances of becoming a victim.

 This guide will explore the best practices for preventing eCommerce fraud and keeping your business running smoothly and securely. So let's get started! 

25 website security measures for eCommerce developers

Put a limit on order quantities

Keeping your e-commerce business safe from fraud is all about prevention, so why not start at the checkout? Limiting order quantities can help you spot suspicious orders right away. For example, if someone's trying to buy five of the same item in one go, that could be a potential warning sign.

Regarding specific rules, it's wise to limit how many items an individual can purchase in one day or week and restrict orders for certain expensive items. This way, you can help ensure that legitimate customers are ordering what they need without giving criminals a chance to take advantage of your shop. Plus, it can help prevent over-ordering, leading to excessive returns and unhappy customers. 

Be strict about verification

To protect your e-commerce store from fraudsters, you must have a strict verification process in place. This means ensuring that customers provide accurate information, such as a valid shipping address and phone number. You can also require customers to provide a current photo ID or credit card to verify their identity. Wondering why this is an essential practice in your business?

Well, the truth of the matter is that fraudsters are always on the lookout for an opportunity to take advantage. They can quickly identify and manipulate vulnerable systems with ease. By having strict verification measures in place, you'll be able to protect your eCommerce store from any fraudulent activity. On top of that, you also make eCommerce customers feel safe since strict verification ensures the legitimacy of your website. 

Setup Cloudflare easily for eCommerce websites

Keep an eye out for risky orders

While it's not always possible to tell if an order is suspicious at first glance, taking extra time and doing a little extra digging can go a long way. In the case of e-commerce fraud, it's always better to be safe than sorry. If you spot something that looks a little off, don't hesitate to check it out immediately.

Reach out to suspicious clients to settle your doubts and judge whether to continue with the transaction. This way, you'll be able to protect your business from fraud and scams. Some common 'red flags' include customers outside your typical customer profile, multiple purchases from one IP address, and orders for expensive items without verification.

Always check and update site security

It's a no-brainer: constantly checking and updating site security is the best way to protect your e-commerce business from fraud. This means ensuring that your website's code is up-to-date and free of any vulnerabilities that hackers could exploit. This also includes renewing your SSL certificate to encrypt customer data or regularly monitoring for any signs of phishing scams and malicious activities.

In addition, look for any outdated or vulnerable versions of software and plugins and any new threats that may have been discovered since you last checked. Don't forget to have an updated form of two-factor authentication for logging into customer accounts and adopting new measures to monitor IP addresses. All of this help stave off fraudsters who use loopholes to exploit weaknesses in your website system.

Post clear policies on your website

When it comes to protecting your e-commerce website from fraud, it pays to be proactive. One of the most important steps you can take is to post clear policies on your site so that customers know exactly what they should expect when making a purchase. From shipping times to potential taxes or fees, ensure it is all clearly stated and easy to find.

Aside from this, don't forget to entail potential fraudulent policies on your website, including how you'll deal with them. This way, customers who are trying to scam you will know that their actions won't be tolerated and that they can expect swift action from you should anything suspicious occur.

Rely on anti-fraud tools

If you're handling an e-commerce business, it's absolutely essential to have the right anti-fraud tools in place. Not only will they help keep your customer's data safe and secure, but they can also prevent many headaches down the line. Remember, these tools are designed to recognize suspicious activity and alert you to any potential threats.

They come in all shapes and sizes, ranging from traditional data analysis techniques like anomaly detection and machine learning algorithms to more advanced methods like facial recognition and biometrics. Some can even help you prevent cryptojacking, ensuring the safety of site visitors and customers alike. With them in place, you're sure to have an extra layer of security against many types of fraud attempts.

Create detailed order records

No matter how big or small your e-commerce business is, it's important to have detailed order records. Of course, it's beneficial since it allows you to trace orders without any hassle. However, it's also a great practice if you want to save yourself from many fraudulent attempts.

Doing so can help you quickly spot suspicious activity in requests, such as orders placed using stolen credit cards or duplicate ones from the same customer. Tip: ensure to include information such as the customer's name, address, and order details in your records so that you can easily reference them if needed. You should also keep a record of any refunds or cancellations to support you in resolving any disputes that might arise.

In conclusion

Following these practices can help ensure that your e-commerce business is secure and protected from fraud. You can also provide a safe shopping experience for your customers, which is crucial if you want to pave the road to success!