In retail, the security of e-commerce transactions has been a constant concern due to the ongoing threat of fraud. The Fraud Map 2023, published by ClearSale, raised the main data regarding attempts of fraud in online purchases in Brazil over the past year, including the categories of products most sought after by fraudsters, target audience and most impacted payment methods.
Throughout the entire last year, more than 3,7 million fraud attempts were recorded, representing a share of 1,4% of all orders placed in e-commerce. As for the audience, men are often the main target, whose value of attempts reaches 1,1 billion reais, considering the average ticket of purchases in the amount of R$1.042,09. People up to 25 years old are also the most affected compared to other age groups, gathering 1,9% of the scam attempts.
The report indicates, yet, how the movement has affected the sales performance of retailers: the average ticket of fraud attempts in 2023, of R$925,44, was twice as high as the average ticket of legitimate orders. With that, frauds impact the most relevant transactions in retail
The first edition of the study commissioned by Pagaleve – fintech that offers the Pix Installment payment method –, and carried out by the consulting firm GMattos, shows that, in March 2024, the average cost of fraud management for a retailer represents approximately 1,9% of your revenue, between chargeback costs and anti-fraud tools. In this way, payment methods that reduce risk become even more relevant for the retailer
Payment methods against fraud
The Fraud Map indicated that, among the most used payment methods in scam attempts in 2023, the credit card comes in second place, counting 3,4 million attempts, the equivalent of 3,4 billion reais; behind only the bank slip, with 121,7 million fraud attempts, reaching a value of 13,1 million reais
Commemorative dates usually bring an increase in fraud attempts. On Mother's Day this year, for example, Clearsale data indicates that fraud attempts amounted to approximately R$ 92 million, 4,1% higher than the previous year.
It is understandable that the use of credit cards is often used frequently for installment purchases since it is a widely used payment method among Brazilians as well as being traditional. But it is important to mention that there is already an installment method that does not require a credit card: Pix Parcelado. The payment method saves costs for the retailer related to fraud while providing an additional payment means allowing more consumers to shop at the retailer's e-commerce."explains Guilherme Romão, Chief Risk Officer of Pagaleve. "Furthermore, "companies offering installment Pix like Pagaleve bear any risk and costs related to fraud", complements Romão.
The Pix Parcelado represents a form of inclusion for consumers who are not fully served by credit cards – thus contributing to the expansion of supply and increasing the conversion rates of retailers
"In the same way that you can hardly find online stores without the credit card payment option available", we believe that, in the near future, those merchants who do not join the Pix Installment, will be left behind. The trend is that this payment method will grow even more in the coming years and consolidate as one of the most used payment methods in our country, finalizes Guilherme
