The rapid advancement of e-commerce in Brazil has also paved the way for a concerning trend: the increase in digital fraud. According to a survey by Equifax BoaVista, fraud attempts in e-commerce rose by 3.5% in 2024 compared to 2023.
Whether involving cloned cards, bot fraud, or improper Pix chargebacks, the accumulated losses for retailers due to these practices already amount to millions. Beyond the financial impact, such actions also undermine consumer trust and platform credibility.
Among the most common scams are identity theft, unauthorized account takeovers (known as account takeover), chargeback fraud, and the use of fake coupons. The complexity and sophistication of these attacks have forced companies to adopt more robust solutions to ensure operational security and protect the customer journey.
However, intelligent automation integrated into the Open ecosystem has emerged as a strategic protection tool. According to experts, by combining technologies like artificial intelligence, machine learning, and big data analytics, these systems can monitor transactions in real-time, identify suspicious patterns, and act preventively against anomalous behavior.
“Intelligent automation allows for more precise risk detection and reduces false positives—which often block legitimate purchases and negatively impact the customer experience,” explains Lígia Lopes, CEO of Teros, a data-driven intelligent automation platform, who adds: “Moreover, we optimize operational resources by removing repetitive tasks from teams, redirecting focus toward strategic decisions.”
According to Lopes, bot-driven fraud, for example, is increasingly common in limited-edition product launches. By automating the purchasing process, these software programs can acquire large volumes of items before real customers gain access, creating an unfair parallel market. Meanwhile, Pix-related scams often involve manipulating receipts or making false error claims to obtain refunds after receiving the product.
“Another benefit of automation is integration with biometric and behavioral-based anti-fraud systems. These solutions enhance transaction verification, helping block sophisticated attacks like phishing or account takeovers, which traditional methods might easily miss,” emphasizes Lígia.
In the Open Finance environment, integrated automation has also brought significant gains in terms of speed and personalization, according to Lopes. Integrating banking data with management systems enables real-time reconciliation, automated financial reporting, and services like credit or insurance during checkout—all with secure and transparent data usage.
“While there is no single solution to fraud, combining technology with strategy is the most promising path. The digitalization of consumption demands a proactive stance from businesses, and automation is no longer an option but a necessity for staying competitive, secure, and relevant in the market,” concludes Teros’ CEO.
