"We thought the fraud system had it covered. It didn't. Lost $2,000 in one weekend."
Stories like that pop up on merchant forums all the time. Chargebacks from "approved" transactions. Refund requests from stolen cards. Customer names that don't match the shipping address.
Most fraud filters work by scoring orders based on preset risk signals. But some fraud slips through, especially if the scammer knows how to game the system. That's where manual review comes in.
Let's walk through how experienced sellers catch suspicious orders before they turn into a chargeback. These are tips shared by other merchants dealing with the same problem.
1. Repeated Account Creation
Red flag: Multiple accounts using the same email pattern, IP address, or payment method.
Some fraudsters create several customer profiles to avoid detection. Maybe they change the email slightly:
Same name, different spellings. Same IP, same device fingerprint. A good fraud filter might catch some of these, but not always. Many merchants use velocity checks or custom scripts to flag duplicate behaviors.
What to do:
- Compare IP and billing details across accounts.
- Flag reused shipping addresses tied to different names or cards.
- Watch for repeat use of the same BIN (Bank Identification Number).
2. Checkout Behavior That Doesn't Add Up
Red flag: Fast checkouts with inconsistent details.
In forums, merchants mention this one a lot. A customer lands on your site and completes a $500+ purchase in under a minute. No cart browsing. No hesitation.
Another common pattern: billing and shipping don't match. The name on the card is Robert Green, but the shipping label says Marcus King.
What to do:
- Look at time-on-site data and cart editing behavior.
- Set rules to auto-flag high-value orders with mismatched name/address fields.
- Review orders where the phone number is a fake format or unreachable.
3. Velocity Tricks That Slip Through
Red flag: Several orders from the same region or card type in a short time span.
Some fraudsters test cards by making small purchases first. If those go through, they scale up fast. A few merchants in one thread said the scammer placed 3 to 4 orders in 10 minutes. Different emails, same street name.
What to do:
- Use a manual hold rule for multiple purchases within a tight window.
- Check AVS (Address Verification System) response codes. A mismatch isn't always blocked by filters.
- Set alerts for unusually high velocity by country, ZIP code, or BIN range.
4. Suspicious Shipping Methods
Red flag: Express or overnight delivery to unfamiliar addresses.
Scammers love fast shipping. It limits your window to stop the order before it's out the door. Some even pick warehouses, drop points, or reshipper addresses that don't match the buyer's name at all.
What to do:
- Hold high-value express orders for manual review.
- Watch for frequent use of forwarding companies.
- Require signature confirmation on all expedited shipments over a set value.
5. Phone or Email Doesn't Check Out
Red flag: Generic email domains with random characters, fake or disconnected phone numbers.
Legit customers rarely use addresses like [email protected]. And if you call the number listed and it goes straight to a generic voicemail (or doesn't connect), it's worth a closer look.
What to do:
- Look up the email domain to see if it's commonly used in fraud cases.
- Run reverse lookups on phone numbers if in doubt.
- Combine phone verification with order confirmation for first-time buyers.
6. The Gut Check
Sometimes, it's just a feeling. Something looks off about the name, shipping address, or order pattern. You might not be able to explain it immediately, but ignoring that instinct often leads to regrets later.
One merchant summed it up perfectly in a thread:
"I've only ever canceled five orders based on gut feeling. Four turned out to be fraud. The fifth guy actually called to say his card had just been stolen."
Conclusion: Don't Rely on Filters Alone
Fraud filters are a great first layer. But they're not foolproof. Scammers test systems. They learn what slips through. And sometimes, you have to be the last line of defense.
Manual review doesn't have to mean scanning every order. Just know the signals. Spot the red flags. Trust your instincts when something feels off.
It only takes one missed high-risk order to rack up hundreds (or thousands!) in chargebacks. Learning how to catch them early is how smart merchants stay ahead.
Stop Fraud Before It Starts with Chargeblast
Still losing money to "approved" fraud? Chargeblast gives you visibility beyond your default filter. See real-time dispute alerts, cardholder trends, and red flag indicators that help you make smarter calls before a scammer strikes.
Let your filters do the work, but don't let them be the only line of defense. Learn how we can help by booking a demo below.
