With commercial dates like Consumer Day, online and physical commerce activity increases, making the period one of the favorite targets for scammers. In March 2025, Brazil may record 36,000 fraud attempts per day, which, if successful, could cause losses exceeding R$220 million. The total for the promotional week would be 250,000 unsuccessful occurrences and R$ 1.5 billion in financial losses.
The data is a projection based on the Serasa Experian Fraud Attempt Indicator, the first and largest data tech in Brazil, which records prevented occurrences through authentication and prevention technologies. The Director of Authentication and Fraud Prevention at Serasa Experian, Caio Rocha, highlights that promotional dates attract not only consumers but also criminals, who take advantage of the increase in purchases to carry out scams such as card cloning, data theft, and the falsification of ads and online stores.
“Many consumers are attracted by fake offers, for example, and fall for scams on impulse. To avoid losses, it is essential to be wary of excessive discounts, check the credibility of websites and adopt safe practices in transactions. With scams becoming increasingly sophisticated, information and prevention are essential to ensure safe purchases and take advantage of 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 online shopping fraud:
• The store's reputation should be researched on review sites and social networks before making any payment; it is important to be wary of promotions that are much lower than the market price, as they may hide fraud;
• Do not click on suspicious links sent via email, SMS, or WhatsApp. The ideal is always to 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;
• Two-step authentication must be activated in financial applications to prevent unauthorized access;
• Cards and documents must be kept protected, avoiding leaving them exposed or handing them over to third parties;
• The card should not be lost from sight when making payments in stores, restaurants or street vendors, as changing and stealing passwords is still a common scam;
• After the transaction, it is essential to check the card and cover the keyboard when entering the password;
• Passwords or authentication codes should not be shared, even if the request appears to come from the bank;
• Before making a Pix or transfer, it is essential to confirm the identity of the recipient in person or by phone to avoid cloning scams.
Recommendations for companies:
• 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 expands rapidly, layered fraud prevention is not just a good practice, but a strategic necessity;
• Ensure the quality and veracity of data from fraud prevention solutions using solutions that are constantly improved in light of changes and fraud threats;
• Deeply understand the user profile and constantly seek to minimize friction points in their digital journey, ensuring a fluid experience without compromising security;
• Use fraud prevention as a lever to generate revenue, implementing an intelligent orchestration of solutions that maximize security, reduce losses and enable a more agile and reliable purchasing experience for the customer.
