It’s well documented that accepting credit cards is good for business, but there is one snag to accepting credit cards that every retailer knows and fears: fraud.
Credit card fraud can come in different forms, but they are avoidable if you know what to look for. These 12 tips will help you fight credit card fraud.
1) Educate Your Employees About Fraud
You need to be aware of fraud to avoid it, but so do your employees. You both make up the first line of defense. Train your employees well to know the signs of potential fraud and remind them periodically to always stay alert.
2) Compare Signatures and Ask for Identification
Very few retailers take the time to glance at the signatures anymore, but it’s simple and quick. Check for misspellings and make sure the name on the card matches the signature. Address the customer using the name on the credit card. If he or she doesn’t respond, ask for a photo ID and compare those signatures.
3) Ask to See the Card
Look for the card’s security features, such as a clear hologram with a moving picture and the Bank Identification Number above or below the first four digits of the account number. Check the numbers themselves for signs of alteration and look for signs of tampering on the signature strip.
4) Be Wary of Customers Who Keep the Credit Card Separate From Their Wallet
Most legitimate customers will keep their credit cards in their wallet along with some form of ID. Fraudsters are more likely to keep the fraudulent credit card separate from their wallet, so they do not have any means of ID with them.
5) Watch Out for Customers Who Are Distracting
They may either be very talkative or very angry. Or they may wait until the last second before closing time to make a big purchase. Either way, they could be a potential fraudster trying to rush the clerk and keep their attention off the card authorization process.
6) Think Twice Before Manually Entering Damaged or Worn Cards
Fraudulent cards are often damaged on purpose so the magnetic strip cannot be swiped. Instead, the customer may insist the clerk manually key in the card number, which bypasses the antifraud features of the magnetic strip. Always swipe the card, no matter how damaged. If the card can’t be read, ask for another form of payment.
7) Do Not Accept “Letters of Authorization”
Some fraudsters will present a letter from the cardholder that authorizes the use of their credit card. This should never be accepted as a form of verification. No one is allowed to “borrow” another person’s card, regardless of relationship. Only the cardholder is authorized to use their credit card.
8) Take Note of What the Customer is Purchasing
Have they purchased more than one of the same expensive item? Did they make their selections quickly, without thought to size or color or price? Or maybe they want a costly rush delivery to a different address, or they want to carry their purchase out of the store when it’s something normally delivered (such as large appliances or furniture). All these could be signs of a potential fraudster looking to leave your store quickly with their “hot” card and goods.
9) Use the Address Verification System (AVS)
Address Verification is most common with card-not-present situations (like online purchases), but it can also be used when the card is present at the POS. In addition to the usual checkout process, the terminal asks for the customer’s billing ZIP code. The transaction will reject if the ZIP code entered doesn’t match the one on file.
10) Know Your POS System and Equipment
Sophisticated criminals can access information on the magnetic strip of a credit card when it is swiped at checkout. This process is called “skimming,” and it requires an actual attachment to the terminal that reads the card. To combat this, make sure you know what your payment processing equipment looks like and how it should work. If you see an extra device or notice malfunctioning software, you know to investigate further before continuing to accept credit cards from customers.
11) Keep Accurate Records of Credit Card Transactions
Some fraud situations result from legitimate cardholders who make authorized purchases, only to fraudulently dispute the charges later. You can fight this kind of fraud if you are armed with the right information. Your acquiring bank can assist you with the process, but at minimum you will need the customer signature and evidence that you swiped the card and received an authorized approval.
12) When in Doubt, Call
If you feel something is not quite right, do not hesitate to call the card issuer for authorization. Keep the card with you and move away from the customer to make the call. You may feel you’re risking a sale by making the customer wait, but even if they are legitimate cardholders, it’s for their protection as much as yours.
Avoiding fraud is critical in ensuring safe transactions at your business. For more information, you can check out Community Merchants USA’s resources on fighting fraud.
Credit card image via Shutterstock
The post 12 Tips for Merchants to Fight Credit Card Fraud at the Point of Sale appeared first on Small Business Trends.
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