Fraud Awareness: What Does Fraud Look Like?
Fraud happens every day and you and your employees may not even know that you have been defrauded out of your information or money. Cyber Fraud is real and you must be vigilant.
Identifying when someone is trying to defraud you or your organization is a vital part of the day-to-day responsibilities of your employees. Here are a few red flags that might indicate a fraud attempt:
Large orders:
- When a fraudster uses stolen payment methods, they will attempt to maximize spending in a single transaction before the victim realizes their information has been stolen.
Multiple transactions in a short period of time:
- This could be a sign that someone gained unauthorized access to a customer’s account or that someone is attempting to max out a stolen credit card.
Fast shipping:
- Most consumers choose affordable shipping options. Beware of overnight or priority shipments, especially those that involve high-priced orders.
Unusual shipping location:
- Examples of unusual shipping locations include freight forwarders, virtual offices, self-storage facilities, and warehouses.
Multiple cards from a single address:
- Transactions that use multiple payment methods, but ship to the same address, could indicate that a fraudster has a collection of stolen credit cards.
A large purchase of highly-targeted products:
- If someone places a large order for highly-targeted products (such as smart devices, tablets, and other electronics), it could be a sign that they are using stolen account credentials or credit cards.
How to Prevent Fraud
Stay Alert
- Recognizing fraud attempts can be as simple as remaining vigilant and identifying red flags.
Use Common Sense
- If something seems off or out of the ordinary, think critically and follow your instincts.
Scrutinize All Requests For Sensitive Information
- Unauthorized access to confidential data makes fraud possible.
Report It Immediately
- When you suspect fraudulent activity, report it immediately so our organization can take appropriate measures to remedy the situation.
Think Before You Click
- Fraudsters utilize phishing attacks to compromise organizations and steal data.
Ask Questions
- If you’re unsure of something, please ask! Never make assumptions.
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