10 tips for protecting your business from mCommerce fraud

By 2025, a staggering 70% of online transactions are expected to be carried out through mobile devices, so protecting your business from the rising threat of mobile commerce (mCommerce) fraud is more crucial than ever.

As an entrepreneur or business owner, understanding the ins and outs of mCommerce fraud is the first step towards safeguarding your business and ensuring the security of your customers.

Let’s dive into the world of mCommerce fraud, explore its various forms, and equip ourselves with 10 actionable tips to shield our businesses.

Unravelling mCommerce fraud

In simple terms, mCommerce fraud encompasses a range of deceptive activities that occur on mobile platforms, exploiting the convenience of mobile devices for both consumers and businesses. These activities include unauthorised transactions, identity theft, phishing schemes, fake mobile apps, and fraudulent payment gateways.

As mCommerce continues to surge in popularity, fraudsters are finding innovative ways to exploit vulnerabilities in this space.

Understanding how mCommerce fraud happens

Deciphering the intricacies of mCommerce fraud involves recognising the common schemes and tactics employed by fraudsters, including:

• Account takeover: Fraudsters gain access to a user’s account, often by hacking their mobile device, and make transactions without the user’s knowledge. This is usually a result of weak security practices or malicious software.
• Phishing scams: Fraudsters impersonate trusted entities through messages, tricking users into revealing personal and financial information. These messages, often urgent in nature, can be sent via SMS or other messaging apps, directing users to fraudulent sites.
• Fake mobile apps: Scammers create fake apps mimicking legitimate merchants, enticing users to download them. These apps install malicious spyware, compromising user data.
• Fake payment gateways: Fraudulent payment gateways embedded within mobile apps trick users into providing payment details directly to scammers, leading to unauthorised transactions.

What makes mCommerce fraud different?

mCommerce introduces unique challenges compared to traditional online threats. Mobile app creators may lack robust security measures, creating vulnerabilities for fraudsters to exploit. Additionally, the ease of accessing payment information on mobile devices can lead to swift and discreet unauthorised purchases, affecting both users and merchants.

Specific risk factors in the mCommerce space include ‘smishing’ (SMS phishing), insecure Wi-Fi networks, increased data exposure due to multi-platform interactions, and family fraud, where children may unknowingly conduct transactions on a parent’s mobile device.

10 tips to safeguard your business

Effectively combatting mCommerce fraud requires a multi-layered approach. Here are ten actionable tips to protect your business and keep your mCommerce customers satisfied:

1. Implement 2FA: Utilise two-factor authentication to add an extra layer of security during transactions or account logins, requiring a second form of verification.
2. Use mobile device verification: Ensure the legitimacy of the device used for transactions through device fingerprinting and integrity assessments.
3. Encourage the use of mobile wallets: Promote the use of secure mobile wallets like Apple Pay and Google Wallet, which require 2FA verification for added security.
4. Monitor for jailbroken or rooted devices: Detect and review transactions from devices that have been jailbroken or rooted, as they are more susceptible to security vulnerabilities.
5. Invest in mobile-specific fraud tools: Utilise fraud prevention solutions designed specifically for mobile transactions, such as device fingerprinting, to analyse and prevent fraudulent activities.
6. Regularly update your mobile app: Ensure your mobile app is regularly updated with the latest security patches and features to protect against potential vulnerabilities.
7. Use geolocation: Verify transactions by utilising the mobile device’s geolocation data, flagging those from unusual locations for further review.
8. Educate your customers: Raise awareness about mobile security among your customers, providing tips and best practices for secure mobile shopping.
9. Implement strong data encryption: Securely encrypt all data transmitted through your mobile app, including payment information and personal details, to prevent data breaches.
10. Monitor user behaviour for anomalies: Analyse user behaviour within your mobile app to detect unusual patterns that may indicate fraudulent activity, such as rapid and repeated taps suggesting a bot attack.

Seeking expert assistance

While implementing these steps is crucial, seeking help from experts is equally important. As a leading force in chargeback management with innovative technology to identify disputes by their source and implement necessary solutions to eliminate chargeback issuances, we’re able to help reduce the fear of mCommerce fraud hindering business growth. To learn more, visit: https://chargebacks911.com/