| One of the biggest risks online merchants face is | | | | may use public P.O. boxes or ship-forwarding services, |
| credit card fraud. Every year, Internet fraud costs | | | | which allows the receiver to remain anonymous. |
| merchants more than two billion dollars and as fraud | | | | 4. Require Phone Numbers - Require phone numbers |
| continues to skyrocket, that number steadily increases | | | | with every order and call to confirm they are valid. |
| as well. Here are ten preventative measures that | | | | Make sure the area code of the phone number is |
| online merchants who accept global payments can | | | | located within the zip code given. |
| take to help minimize credit card fraud on their website. | | | | 5. Watch Out for Free Email Addresses - Most online |
| 1. Check the IP Address - An IP address can show the | | | | fraudsters use free, web-based email addresses, such |
| exact geographic location of the computer from which | | | | as Hotmail. If a customer provides such an email |
| a purchase is made. Check the IP address against the | | | | address, check other factors such as the customer's |
| billing address provided by an order. An odd or | | | | phone number and shipping and billing addresses to |
| suspicious distance between the two may indicate | | | | determine whether or not the order may be fraudulent. |
| fraud. | | | | 6. Call the Credit Card Company - If you have any |
| 2. Be Wary of High Risk Countries - In the world of | | | | suspicions about the order or need to confirm some |
| e-commerce, certain countries are known as "high risk" | | | | details on the order, call the issuing credit card |
| countries because a high rate of online fraud originates | | | | company to confirm the card is not stolen or being |
| from them. Such countries include Malaysia, Nigeria, | | | | used fraudulently. |
| Russia, and Turkey, just to name a few. Check | | | | 7. When in Doubt, Request More Information - If you |
| international orders to see if they originate from a | | | | come across an order that seems suspicious or the |
| high-risk country. | | | | information provided just isn't adding up, request more |
| 3. Mail Only to Physical Addresses - While online | | | | information from the customer. Call them on the phone |
| fraudsters want to stay untraceable, they still need to | | | | to have them confirm their contact information or |
| collect the merchandise they order. Subsequently, they | | | | request to have them fax or email a copy of photo I.D. |