: How to report attempted credit card fraud? I run a website which accepts credit card payments. I recently noticed that one user who used many different names and/or email addresses attempted

@Samaraweera270

Found this article which might help:


Obviously, this is a sensitive situation. No merchant wants to offend
honest customers by turning the shopping experience into what feels
like a prosecution. At the same time, you can't afford to turn a blind
eye to fraud.

The major card issuers have published recommendations on what to do if
you or a cashier on your team suspects fraud and I recommend that you
follow them closely to avoid dangerous situations. As you probably
suspected, no card issuer expects you to get into a dramatic verbal
confrontation with a customer you think is misusing a card or to
become a vigilante and wrestle a card from a fraudster's grasp.

American Express's guidelines say you should never put yourself or
your employees at risk when you suspect credit card fraud. "Do not,
under any circumstances, confront or attempt to apprehend the
customer," the company's website says. I suggest you take that warning
very seriously.

AmEx, MasterCard and Visa all say that if you or an employee suspects
credit-card fraud, you should call your authorization center and, in a
normal voice, say you have a Code 10 authorization request. Follow
instructions from the operator after that, answering questions in yes
or no answers. MasterCard says that the operator will notify the
police for you if it is necessary.

Visa suggests on its site that an employee who notices suspicious
signs should also "hold onto the customer's card if you think you can
do so safely." I would venture that, given how violent society has
become, there aren't any situations where you have 100 percent
assurance you can do so safely, and I would err on the side of
caution.

To prevent fraud, follow the card issuers' guidelines for fraud
prevention to the letter with each and every customer -- and train
your cashiers to do that, too. In Visa's list of card acceptance
procedures, for instance, cashiers should make sure customers sign the
receipt and compare it to the card. Many cashiers don't do this, even
though they should.

Know the circumstances when you should decline a card and train your
team in them, too. Politely explaining that someone's card has been
declined because it has expired, for instance, should not offend
honest customers. Many will appreciate it that you take
fraud-prevention seriously.

Visa has published a helpful list of warning signs of potential fraud
that I'd suggest you read and share with your employees, if you
haven't done so already. For instance you'll want to be especially
observant if a customer tries to purchase a lot of merchandise without
regard to size, style, color or price. Someone who tries to distract
you or rush you on a sale -- or doesn't have a single question about a
major purchase -- may also be up to something, according to the
guidelines.

At the same time, you have to use your judgment. For instance, parents
who are shopping with young children might try to rush you on a sale
because they are worn out from shopping with their kids. Your common
sense and instincts are your best weapon in the war on fraud, so use
them as your guide.


This information is for "Brick and Mortar" stores but should apply to e-commerce as well. (as applicable)

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