Fighting Fraud at Peak
Introduction: Why Your Fraud Strategy Needs a Christmas Makeover
The festive season is almost upon us, and with it comes the annual Christmas shopping surge— an important, yet challenging time for retailers. As baskets brim with high-value tech gadgets and luxury gifts, fraudsters are creating their own wish lists. What kept your business safe in the summer simply won’t stand up to the unique pressures of Peak. Are you ready to outmanoeuvre the fraudsters and safeguard your good customers?
Why Fraud Tactics Shift Over Christmas
During the festive rush, transaction volumes and the average transaction value usually increase, and the pressure to fulfil orders quickly is immense. Fraudsters exploit this chaos, knowing that overwhelmed teams may overlook red flags. Meanwhile, genuine customers also behave differently—sending gifts directly to recipients, placing larger orders, and shopping at unusual hours. What looks suspicious in June can be perfectly normal in December, making it harder to separate fraud from festive cheer.
Your Christmas Fraud-Prevention Checklist
• Review and Refresh Fraud Rules: Update your fraud filters, thresholds, and policies to reflect seasonal shopping trends. Look out for temporary addresses, bulk purchases, and requests for speedy delivery.
• Train Your Team for Peak Patterns: Make sure they understand how legitimate customer behaviour changes over Christmas, so they can spot real fraud without blocking good shoppers.
• Use Machine Learning and Data Insights: Leverage advanced analytics to detect new scam patterns quickly. Tools that adapt in real time are your best defence against evolving tactics.
• Communicate Clearly with Customers: Set expectations for delivery times, verification checks, and order confirmation processes. Proactive messaging can reduce confusion and help customers understand any extra steps.
• Monitor Transactions Around-the-Clock: Increase oversight during evenings and weekends, when fraud attempts often spike. Consider extra staffing or automated alerts for out-of-hours orders.
• Collaborate with Logistics Partners: Ensure couriers and fulfilment teams are aware of potential fraud risks and have protocols for suspicious deliveries.
Adapting to New Customer Behaviours
Remember, your regular customers may now be sending gifts to far-flung relatives, using work addresses for deliveries, or splurging on big-ticket items. Adjust your systems to recognise these festive patterns, so genuine shoppers aren’t unfairly blocked or delayed. Flexibility is key—review flagged orders promptly and communicate with customers to resolve issues quickly.
Call to Action: Make This Christmas Secure and Successful
Don’t let fraudsters steal your festive spirit. Revamp your strategies, empower your teams, and harness smart technology to protect both your business and your customers. Are you prepared for the Christmas payment peak? The time to act is now—ensure your shop is ready to deliver a safe, seamless holiday experience for everyone.