With commercial dates like Consumer Day, activity increases in both online and physical commerce, making this period one of the preferred targets for fraudsters. In March 2025, Brazil could record 36 thousand fraud attempts per day, which, if successful, could generate losses exceeding R$ 220 million. The total for the promotional week would be 250 thousand unsuccessful occurrences and R$ 1.5 billion in financial losses.
The data is a projection based on the Fraud Attempt Indicator from Serasa Experian, Brazil’s first and largest datatech, which records occurrences prevented by authentication and prevention technologies. Caio Rocha, Director of Authentication and Fraud Prevention at Serasa Experian, highlights that promotional dates attract not only consumers but also criminals, who take advantage of the increase in purchases to apply scams such as card cloning, data theft, and fake ads and online stores.
“Many consumers are attracted by fake offers, for example, and fall for scams impulsively. To avoid losses, it is essential to be wary of excessive discounts, verify the credibility of websites, and adopt safe practices in transactions. With increasingly sophisticated scams, information and prevention are indispensable to ensure secure purchases and enjoy promotions without risks,” warns Caio Rocha.
To avoid losses on Consumer Day, both in online and in-person purchases, check out Serasa Experian’s essential recommendations:
How to avoid fraud in online purchases:
• Research the store’s reputation on review sites and social media before making any payment; it’s important to be wary of promotions significantly below market price, as they may hide fraud;
• Do not click on suspicious links sent via email, SMS, or WhatsApp. The best practice is to always access websites by typing the address directly into the browser;
• It is recommended to use virtual cards for online purchases and avoid saving payment details on unknown websites;
• Enable two-factor authentication in financial apps to prevent unauthorized access;
• Keep cards and documents protected, avoiding leaving them exposed or handing them to third parties;
• Do not let your card out of sight when making payments in stores, restaurants, or street vendors, as swapping and stealing passwords is still a common scam;
• After the transaction, it is essential to check your card and cover the keyboard when entering your password;
• Do not share passwords or authentication codes, even if the request appears to come from your bank;
• Before making a Pix or transfer, confirm the recipient’s identity in person or via a phone call to avoid cloning scams.
Recommendations for businesses:
• Invest in fraud prevention technologies to protect the integrity and security of your company’s operations;
• In an increasingly digital and interconnected business environment, where fraud evolves and spreads rapidly, layered fraud prevention is not just a best practice but a strategic necessity;
• Ensure the quality and accuracy of fraud prevention solutions by using tools that constantly improve in response to changing fraud threats;
• Deeply understand the user profile and continuously seek to minimize friction points in their digital journey, ensuring a smooth experience without compromising security;
• Use fraud prevention as a lever to generate revenue by implementing intelligent orchestration of solutions that maximize security, reduce losses, and allow for a faster and more reliable shopping experience for the customer.
