Online shops attract fraudulent orders, and the cost falls on you.
WARNING SIGNS
An unusually large first order Billing and delivery addresses in different cities An urgent request for immediate dispatch Several failed payment attempts followed by a success A disposable email address A phone number that does not connect
PRACTICAL MEASURES
Require a phone number at checkout and call for high-value orders Use your gateway's fraud tools; both Paystack and Flutterwave provide them Set a maximum order value above which you confirm manually Be cautious with cash on delivery for expensive items
Keep records: order notes, dispatch evidence, delivery confirmation
IF YOU SUSPECT FRAUD
Do not dispatch. Contact the customer by phone. A genuine customer will answer.
CHARGEBACKS
A chargeback means the cardholder disputed the charge. You will be asked for evidence: the order, the delivery confirmation, the communication. Keep these, because without them you lose by default.
Repeated chargebacks damage your standing with the gateway.
