KAWARTHA LAKES-The Ontario Provincial Police would like to remind small businesses to remain vigilant to ongoing scams.
The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre reports that in 2022 victims reported losing $3.5 million to Card-Not-Present frauds. So far this year that number is at $1.5 million. There have been reports of this across the region.
The Card-not-present fraud happens when businesses accept orders over the phone, online or via email. Scammers use stolen credit cards to order products or services. They often ask for urgent shipping so they can receive the order before the card is reported stolen. When the charge is disputed, the business must reimburse the amount charged on the card.
These fraudsters often target small businesses.
How to protect your business:
- Watch for orders made using different names than on the credit card;
- Prior to shipping merchandise, take steps to verify the information provided by the customer;
- Be aware if the shipping address does not match the billing address on the credit card;
- Be aware of orders from repeat customers that differ from regular spending patterns; and
- Contact your processor and ensure security measures are established to prevent victimization and reduce unwanted chargebacks.
If your business has become a victim of the Card-Not-Present Fraud, contact your local police service and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501 (toll free) or report online at www.antifraudcentre.ca.
“Recognize, Reject and Report Fraud”
