MDR Changes 2025: Merchants Must Know Guide

MDR Changes 2025: Merchants Must Know Guide

The world of digital payments is constantly evolving. Every year brings new technologies, new consumer habits, and, crucially, new regulations. For businesses, understanding these changes is not just important; it is essential for managing costs and maintaining profitability. Specifically, the Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) has always been a critical factor in the cost of accepting digital payments. This fee directly impacts a merchant’s bottom line. Recently, 2025 brought about significant shifts in both MDR structures and the landscape of “Zero MDR” policies. These changes have reshaped how merchants, payment processors, and even customers interact with digital transactions. Today, we will break down what exactly changed and what it means for your business.

MDR Changes 2025: Merchants Must Know Guide

Understanding the Merchant Discount Rate (MDR)

Before discussing the changes, we should revisit what MDR actually is. The Merchant Discount Rate is the fee charged to a merchant by their bank or payment service provider for processing customer payments made through debit cards, credit cards, or other digital methods. This fee is usually a percentage of the transaction value. Additionally, it often includes a small fixed per-transaction fee. The MDR is not a single fee; instead, it is typically a blend of three main components:

  1. Interchange Fee: This is the largest component, paid by the acquiring bank (merchant’s bank) to the issuing bank (customer’s bank).
  2. Scheme Fee: This fee is paid to the card networks (like Visa or Mastercard) for using their infrastructure.
  3. Acquirer Markup: This is the fee charged by the merchant’s bank or payment processor for their services.

Therefore, understanding these components is crucial to grasping why changes to MDR policies have such a wide-reaching impact on businesses.

The Rise and Fall of Zero MDR Policies

The concept of “Zero MDR” gained significant attention in previous years, especially in markets aiming to boost digital payments. Specifically, a Zero MDR policy meant that merchants would not be charged any fees for processing payments through certain digital channels, particularly debit card or UPI transactions. The government or regulatory bodies often absorbed these costs.

Consequently, the goal was to incentivize merchants to adopt digital payment methods, thereby promoting a cashless economy. While beneficial for merchants in the short term, this policy put immense pressure on payment service providers and banks. Therefore, maintaining the underlying infrastructure and services without a direct revenue stream became unsustainable. These pressures naturally led to policy re-evaluations, culminating in the significant shifts seen in 2025 regarding MDR.

Key Changes to MDR Policies in 2025

The year 2025 brought a series of calculated adjustments to MDR policies, moving away from a blanket Zero MDR approach in many regions. Specifically, these changes typically included:

  • Tiered MDR Structures: Many regions reintroduced or refined tiered MDR structures. These structures differentiate fees based on transaction value, merchant type (e.g., small business vs. large enterprise), and the payment method used (e.g., credit card, debit card, QR code). Therefore, this aims for a fairer distribution of costs.
  • Revised Interchange Caps: Governments and regulatory bodies often reviewed and adjusted interchange fees. This component of the MDR is a major driver of overall cost. New caps might aim to reduce overall costs for merchants while still allowing issuing banks to recover some operational expenses.
  • Emphasis on Digital Infrastructure Costs: The new policies often acknowledge the increasing investment required for secure digital payment infrastructure. Therefore, the revised MDR structures now attempt to ensure payment processors and banks can cover these operational and technological costs.

These changes reflect a balancing act: promoting digital payments while ensuring the sustainability of the payment ecosystem, affecting every aspect of MDR.

Impact on Merchants: Navigating New Costs

For merchants, the changes to MDR policies in 2025 mean a direct reassessment of their payment processing costs. Businesses that previously benefited from Zero MDR policies now face new fees for certain transactions. Therefore, this requires a careful review of their pricing strategies. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are particularly affected, as even minor increases in transaction costs can significantly impact their margins. Consequently, merchants must:

  • Review Payment Mix: Analyze which payment methods their customers use most frequently and understand the associated new MDRs.
  • Negotiate with Providers: Engage with their payment service providers to understand the updated fee structures and potentially negotiate better rates based on their transaction volume.
  • Explore Cost-Saving Measures: Consider implementing technologies that optimize payment routing or reduce chargebacks, which indirectly lowers overall payment costs.

Ultimately, proactive management of these new MDR costs is crucial for maintaining profitability in the digital age.

Impact on Payment Service Providers and Banks

The shifts in MDR policies in 2025 have profound implications for payment service providers (PSPs) and banks. For these entities, the reintroduction or adjustment of MDR fees often means a return to a more sustainable revenue model. Previously, Zero MDR policies strained their ability to invest in technology, security, and customer service. Therefore, the new policies generally aim to provide a more predictable revenue stream. Consequently, PSPs and banks can now:

  • Invest in Innovation: Allocate more resources to developing advanced payment technologies, enhancing security features, and improving user experience.
  • Expand Digital Infrastructure: Further build out the networks and systems necessary to support a growing volume of digital transactions.
  • Offer Differentiated Services: Compete on value-added services rather than just trying to absorb costs, which benefits merchants with more choices.

However, they must also effectively communicate these changes to merchants and offer competitive pricing, especially concerning MDR.

The Broader Economic Context and Digital Adoption

The 2025 changes to MDR policies are not isolated; instead, they reflect broader economic trends and the maturing of digital payment ecosystems. As more economies transition towards digital transactions, the initial incentives like Zero MDR become less necessary. The focus shifts to building a self-sustaining and robust payment infrastructure. Therefore, these policy adjustments indicate a move towards greater market efficiency. They ensure that all participants—merchants, consumers, and payment providers—contribute to the cost of maintaining a secure and efficient digital payment network. Consequently, while some merchants may see increased costs, the long-term goal is a more stable and innovative digital payment landscape, driven by fair MDR structures.

Conclusion

The year 2025 marked a pivotal moment in the evolution of MDR and Zero MDR policies, fundamentally altering the economics of digital payments. While the departure from universal Zero MDR might initially present challenges for some merchants, these changes are generally aimed at fostering a more sustainable and equitable digital payment ecosystem. Therefore, businesses must thoroughly understand these new MDR structures. They must also proactively adapt their strategies to manage costs effectively. Ultimately, the ongoing evolution of payment regulations, including adjustments to the Merchant Discount Rate, is a constant reminder that staying informed and agile is paramount for success in the ever-changing digital economy.


Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the Merchant Discount Rate (MDR)?

The MDR is the fee charged to a merchant by their bank or payment service provider for processing customer payments made through digital methods like debit or credit cards. It is typically a percentage of the transaction value and includes components like interchange fees and scheme fees.

2. Why did “Zero MDR” policies change in 2025?

Zero MDR policies often proved unsustainable for payment service providers and banks, as they absorbed the costs of processing transactions and maintaining infrastructure without direct revenue. The changes in 2025 generally reflect a move towards fairer cost distribution to ensure the long-term viability and innovation of the digital payment ecosystem.

3. What are “tiered MDR structures”?

Tiered MDR structures are new or refined fee models that charge different rates based on factors like transaction value, the type of merchant (e.g., small business vs. large corporate), and the specific payment instrument used (e.g., credit card, debit card, UPI). This aims for a more nuanced and equitable fee system.

4. How do the 2025 MDR changes impact small businesses?

Small businesses that previously benefited from Zero MDR for certain transactions might now face new or increased fees. This requires them to carefully review their payment mix and potentially negotiate new terms with their payment providers to manage these updated costs and maintain profit margins.

5. How can merchants prepare for and manage new MDR costs?

Merchants can prepare by reviewing their current payment processing statements, understanding the new MDR breakdown for different transaction types, and engaging with their payment service providers. They should also explore options for optimizing their payment mix and potentially leveraging new technologies to reduce overall payment-related expenses.

Also Read: Bharat QR: Get Started for Business Growth

Biometric Payments in 2025: Speed, Security, and Simplicity

Biometric Payments in 2025: Speed, Security, and Simplicity

Remember struggling with countless PINs and passwords? How about waiting for those annoying One-Time Passwords (OTPs) via SMS? For years, these methods have been our digital guards. They protected our money and kept our accounts safe. However, these systems have their flaws. They can be slow. They can be stolen through phishing. Plus, they add friction to every transaction. Now, a new era is dawning. Biometric payments are here. This technology uses unique body traits to confirm your identity. It offers a faster, safer, and much more seamless way to pay. This shift marks a major step forward. It moves us far beyond the limits of old-school passwords and OTPs.

Biometric Payments in 2025: Speed, Security, and Simplicity

What Are Biometric Payments?

Biometric payments use your unique biological or behavioral features. These features confirm who you are during a transaction. Instead of typing a code, you simply use a part of your body. This makes payments both personal and secure.

Common types of biometric authentication include:

  • Fingerprint Recognition: This is the most common form. You simply touch a sensor with your finger. Your unique fingerprint pattern confirms your identity.
  • Facial Recognition: Your smartphone or a payment terminal scans your face. It uses distinct features to verify who you are. Apple’s Face ID is a prime example.
  • Iris/Retina Scans: These methods scan the unique patterns in your eye. They offer a very high level of security.
  • Voice Recognition: Your unique voice pattern can also verify your identity. This is used in some payment systems.
  • Behavioral Biometrics: This newer method looks at how you type, swipe, or walk. It creates a “behavioral profile” to confirm you are truly you.

Each method relies on features that are nearly impossible to copy or guess. This makes biometric authentication very strong.


Solving the OTP Headache: Speed and Convenience

Think about the delays caused by OTPs. You might wait for the SMS. Sometimes it never arrives. This stops the transaction. Biometric payments solve this problem completely. They offer instant authentication. There is no need to wait for a code. Your fingerprint or face scan happens in milliseconds.

This speed greatly improves the user experience. It makes checkout processes faster. It cuts down on abandoned carts in online shopping. For physical stores, it means quicker lines. Also, for mobile payments, it offers unmatched ease. You tap, you scan, you pay. This simple action shows how biometric authentication makes transactions smooth. It moves us far beyond the friction of old methods.


Enhanced Security: Far Beyond Passwords

One of the biggest benefits of biometric payments is their superior security. Passwords can be weak. They can be forgotten. OTPs can be intercepted or phished. However, your fingerprint or face is much harder to steal or fake. Each biometric trait is unique to you.

Furthermore, many biometric systems use liveness detection. This means they check if the biometric input is from a live person. They can tell the difference between a real finger and a photo. This makes faking them very hard. Also, biometric data is usually encrypted and stored securely. It is not easily exposed like a password list. This strong security reduces fraud significantly. It gives users peace of mind. Therefore, biometric authentication offers a robust defense against modern cyber threats. It truly protects your financial data.


Challenges and the Road Ahead

Despite the clear benefits, biometric payments face some challenges.

  • Privacy Concerns: Some people worry about how their biometric data is stored and used. Clear rules and strong encryption are vital.
  • Accuracy: While highly accurate, no system is perfect. Extreme conditions (like a cut finger) can affect scans.
  • Cost of Implementation: Setting up biometric readers for all payment terminals can be expensive for businesses.
  • Standardization: Different systems may use different biometric types. A unified standard is still developing.

However, these challenges are being addressed. Technology is improving fast. Consumer trust is growing. As these systems become more common, biometric authentication will become the norm. It will make payments simpler and safer for everyone.


The Future is Touch and Face

The future of payments is clear. It moves towards simpler, more secure methods. Biometric payments lead this change. They offer a powerful upgrade from OTPs and passwords. Imagine a world where paying is as easy as a glance or a touch. This world is quickly becoming real. For consumers, it means unmatched convenience and peace of mind. For businesses, it means faster transactions and less fraud. So, get ready to embrace your unique identity. Your fingerprint, face, or voice is truly your next payment method.


Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Are biometric payments more secure than OTPs?

Yes, generally. Biometrics are unique to you and harder to steal or fake than OTPs. Many systems also use “liveness detection” to prevent spoofing.

2. What happens if a biometric scan fails (e.g., wet finger)?

Most biometric payment systems have backup methods. These include PINs, passwords, or a temporary OTP. This ensures you can still complete your transaction.

3. Is my biometric data stored somewhere centrally?

Typically, your biometric data is encrypted and stored locally on your device (like your smartphone). It is not usually stored on a central server. This design protects your privacy.

4. Can my biometrics be stolen and used for fraud?

While no system is 100% foolproof, biometric data is very hard to steal and use. Modern systems use advanced encryption and liveness detection. This makes them much more secure than passwords.

5. What is “behavioral biometrics”?

Behavioral biometrics analyzes how you interact with devices. It looks at your unique typing rhythm, swipe patterns, or even how you hold your phone. This creates a unique profile to confirm your identity.

Also Read: AI in Payment: Smart Fraud Detection & Personalized Checkout

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AI in Payment: Smart Fraud Detection & Personalized Checkout

The world of payments is changing fast. Artificial Intelligence is the main reason for this big change. Old ways of checking for fraud and generic checkouts are now ending. Now, AI in payments starts a new era of safety and custom service. This shift helps both businesses and shoppers. AI does everything from protecting against smart cyber threats to making unique shopping trips. Clearly, AI in payments is not just a future idea. It is now a key part of financial systems everywhere. Therefore, all businesses must understand how AI changes payment rules. This action is crucial to stay secure and customer-focused. This technology is truly the future of smooth and safe transactions.

AI in Payments: Smart Fraud Detection & Personalized Checkout

Smart Fraud Detection: AI Keeps Your Money Safe

AI in payments helps a lot with detecting and stopping fraud. This use is truly the most important one. Old fraud systems used simple rules. Fraudsters could easily beat these simple rules. Conversely, AI uses strong learning programs to check huge amounts of data in real-time. Thus, it finds small patterns, strange actions, and odd behaviors that people or old systems would miss. For instance, AI learns a customer’s normal spending. It checks their usual buying places and devices. Therefore, if a sale looks odd—like a big buy from a new device in a different country—the AI flags it fast.

This smart fraud detection limits false positives greatly. This means your normal sales are not blocked often. This fact makes the customer feel happier. At the same time, it lowers the money lost by businesses. Because AI in payments learns from every new payment, it always gets better at being accurate. It stays ahead of new ways to commit fraud. Thus, a strong, smart guard protects every payment you make. This builds great trust and security throughout the whole payment process.


Proactive Protection: Checking Risk in Real-time

AI in payments does more than find old fraud signs. It also manages risk assessment in real-time. This quick action lets businesses judge the danger of each sale as it happens. It makes instant choices that protect everyone. AI programs review hundreds of facts right away: the sale amount, where it came from, the device used, past actions, and even how quickly the data was typed.

This real-time intelligence lets payment systems give a quick risk score to every sale. High-risk sales might face extra checks or be denied. Low-risk sales, on the other hand, move forward with no trouble. This exact checking lowers false denials. False denials upset honest customers and lose money for the business. As a result, this system is very finely tuned. It approves most good sales quickly while stopping fraud. All this is possible thanks to the smart power of AI in payments.


Personalized Checkout: Making Customers Happy

AI helps with more than just fighting fraud. It greatly improves the customer’s journey through personalized checkout. AI looks at what a customer bought before. It checks what they looked at and what payment methods they like. Then, AI quickly changes the checkout process for that person. Consider a customer who visits an online store again. AI remembers their favorite card. It fills in their address. Furthermore, it even shows them payment choices (like Buy Now, Pay Later) that they used before.

This personalized checkout makes buying easier. It makes the process faster. Also, it increases the number of finished sales greatly. For businesses, this means fewer abandoned carts and much happier customers. Furthermore, AI can smartly suggest other items to buy during checkout. These suggestions are based on that person’s history. Consequently, this simple act raises the average order value. By making the payment process feel easy and made just for them, AI in payments builds loyalty and encourages repeat business.


AI is Key to Future Payments

AI in payments is now necessary; it is not just a nice feature but also handles smart fraud detection and checks risk in real-time. It also builds highly personalized checkout experiences. AI is silently powering all modern financial dealings. For businesses, this means strong protection, lower costs, and much better customer happiness. For shoppers, it means quicker, safer, and simpler ways to pay. Since online buying will keep growing, smart AI programs will remain vital. They will be the silent helper in every successful sale, driving new ideas and securing the future of payments.


Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. How does AI improve fraud detection over traditional methods?

AI uses machine learning to check huge amounts of data for small, changing patterns. Traditional systems often miss these patterns. AI learns from new fraud attempts, making it more successful.

2. What is “real-time risk assessment” in payments?

It is the AI’s ability to instantly check the risk of each sale. It uses facts like the device, location, and history. This process lets the system make quick choices like approval or denial.

3. Can AI truly personalize the checkout experience?

Yes. AI checks a customer’s history and preferences. Then, it quickly shows their preferred payment options. It also fills in details. This makes the checkout process much faster and easier.

4. Does AI in payments only benefit large corporations?

No. Payment systems and FinTech groups are making AI tools available for all businesses. This helps small and medium-sized businesses compete fairly.

5. What are the main benefits of using AI in payments for a business?

The biggest benefits are far fewer fraud losses, higher transaction approval rates, and a happier customer base due to a smoother checkout.

Also Read: BNPL (Buy Now, Pay Later): Opportunities & Risks for Merchants

 

What Is the Future of E-commerce Fraud Prevention?

The High Cost of Lagging Fraud Defenses

E-commerce businesses constantly face a growing and evolving threat from online fraud. As digital payments become more common, criminals invent increasingly sophisticated ways to exploit vulnerabilities. For many merchants, this results in significant financial losses, mainly from high chargeback rates and the operational costs of manual reviews. Therefore, businesses must shift from reactive security measures to a proactive, intelligent defense. Traditional systems, often built on static rules, are simply no match for modern criminal networks. Consequently, integrating advanced AI e-commerce fraud prevention at the earliest point—the payment gateway—is not merely an option; it is a fundamental necessity for survival and growth. This transformative step helps protect both revenue and valuable customer trust in the digital marketplace.

Image of E-commerce Fraud Prevention

Why Traditional Rules Fail Against Modern Scams

Older, rule-based fraud detection systems operate on rigid, predefined criteria. For instance, a rule might automatically flag any transaction over $500 or any purchase using a foreign IP address. While simple, this approach has two major flaws. Primarily, it leads to unacceptable rates of false positives, which wrongly decline legitimate customers, causing frustration and lost sales. Furthermore, static rules are easy for experienced fraudsters to learn and bypass.

Consequently, criminals continually adapt their methods, making the old systems quickly obsolete. Because of this adaptability, a truly effective defense requires a system that can learn and evolve faster than the fraud itself. The core problem lies in their inability to detect never-before-seen or subtle patterns of deceit. This is precisely where the dynamic power of AI fraud detection offers an unbeatable advantage to all e-commerce players.


Machine Learning: The Engine of Next-Generation Security

The central component of effective modern fraud defense is machine learning. This is a type of artificial intelligence that uses vast amounts of historical and real-time transaction data to find complex patterns. Unlike rules, machine learning models do not just look for a single red flag. Instead, they analyze hundreds of data points simultaneously, including device IDs, geographic locations, purchase velocity, and behavioral anomalies. The models train on labeled data (known fraud vs. legitimate sales) to build a probabilistic risk score for every single transaction.

Moreover, unsupervised learning models are crucial for identifying totally new and unexpected types of fraud that do not fit any known pattern. This capability to detect both known and unknown threats makes machine learning fraud detection the gold standard for AI e-commerce fraud prevention. The continuous feedback loop further allows the system to improve its accuracy with every transaction, making it truly adaptive.


Real-Time Transaction Analysis at the Gateway

For maximum effectiveness, fraud screening must happen before the transaction is authorized. Therefore, integrating AI directly into the payment gateway security system is essential. This allows for what is called real-time transaction analysis. Within milliseconds—faster than a customer can even notice—the AI model assesses the risk score. It analyzes hundreds of data features, cross-referencing them against known fraud rings and establishing the user’s normal behavioral baseline.

Consequently, if the score is too high, the gateway can instantly reject the transaction, stopping the fraudster before any loss occurs. Conversely, if the score is moderate, the system can introduce step-up authentication, such as a two-factor verification, without declining a potentially good customer. This immediate action is vital because a slow decision allows fraudsters to execute their attack plans. This speed ensures a seamless experience for legitimate customers while providing a rock-solid layer of protection at the most critical moment of the e-commerce checkout flow.


Combating Card-Not-Present (CNP) and Account Takeover (ATO) Fraud

The biggest challenge in e-commerce is the proliferation of card-not-present (CNP) fraud. Since the physical card is absent, fraudsters use stolen card details to make online purchases. AI addresses this by moving beyond simple CVV and AVS checks. It employs device fingerprinting to track suspicious devices and IP addresses used in multiple attempts. Furthermore, AI is the best defense against Account Takeover (ATO) attacks. ATO occurs when a fraudster gains unauthorized access to a legitimate customer’s account.

Because of this danger, the AI fraud detection system monitors behavioral biometrics—things like typing speed, mouse movements, and navigation patterns. Any significant deviation from the customer’s established habits immediately triggers an alert or an enhanced authentication step. This layered, behavioral approach is highly effective. Ultimately, AI not only prevents CNP fraud but also protects the integrity of loyal customer accounts against unauthorized use.


The Hidden Advantage: Reducing False Positives and Chargebacks

A major unseen cost of outdated fraud systems is the revenue lost from false positives. When a legitimate customer’s transaction is blocked, the business not only loses that sale but also risks losing the customer forever. Importantly, AI e-commerce fraud prevention significantly lowers this problem. Through its superior pattern recognition, machine learning models identify nuances that differentiate a high-value returning customer from a fraudster using a similar transaction size. This improved accuracy means fewer good customers are rejected, which directly boosts conversion rates and customer satisfaction.

Furthermore, by preventing fraud more effectively, the system naturally reduces the number of successful fraudulent transactions. This reduction in fraud directly translates to lower e-commerce chargebacks with AI, saving the business costly fees and protecting its relationship with acquiring banks and payment networks. Therefore, the return on investment in an AI solution is twofold: reduced losses and increased revenue from legitimate sales.


Adaptive Fraud Prevention Solutions and Future Trends

Fraud is not static; it is a constantly evolving challenge. The core strength of AI e-commerce fraud prevention lies in its ability to adapt in real time, which is essential for long-term security. These adaptive fraud prevention solutions use continuous learning to adjust their models automatically as new fraud schemes appear. When a new coordinated attack begins, the AI detects the anomalous cluster of transactions and instantly updates its risk scoring criteria to block the emerging pattern globally. This prevents the same attack from succeeding across all accounts.

Looking ahead, the future of payment gateway security will involve the integration of new technologies. We will see greater use of federated learning, where multiple banks and merchants securely share non-sensitive fraud patterns to build more robust global models without compromising customer data. The continued focus remains on creating a friction-free experience for the customer while building an invisible, iron-clad defense against all fraudulent activity. The speed and scalability of AI make this future a reality right now.


Building Your Defense: Implementing AI at the Gateway

Implementing a robust AI e-commerce fraud prevention solution requires a strategic approach. First, e-commerce managers must work closely with their payment gateway provider or a specialized fraud solution vendor. The initial phase involves integrating the AI tool seamlessly with the gateway’s transaction processing API. Next, the system requires training on the business’s historical transaction data to establish a baseline for normal customer behavior.

During live deployment, starting in a “monitor only” mode is smart, allowing the AI model to score transactions without automatically blocking them. This parallel testing ensures accuracy and helps fine-tune the risk thresholds. Importantly, the team must establish clear review processes for transactions that the AI flags for manual review. By prioritizing a phased, data-driven rollout, businesses can maximize the effectiveness of real-time transaction analysis and secure their checkout process quickly and confidently.


The Final Verdict: AI is the Non-Negotiable E-Commerce Shield

The relentless increase in digital fraud means that simple, rule-based systems are functionally obsolete. E-commerce businesses cannot afford to sustain high chargeback rates, manual review costs, and the customer frustration caused by false positives. The move to AI e-commerce fraud prevention offers the only scalable, adaptive, and accurate solution. By integrating machine learning fraud detection directly into the payment gateway, businesses create an intelligent, real-time shield that protects every transaction. This advanced security not only stops criminals but also enhances the customer experience by processing legitimate transactions swiftly and without unnecessary friction. Adopting these advanced solutions is the key to maintaining a competitive edge and ensuring long-term financial stability in the fast-paced world of online retail.


Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the main difference between traditional and AI fraud detection?

The main difference is adaptability. Traditional systems use static rules that are easy to bypass, while AI e-commerce fraud prevention uses machine learning to continuously analyze new data and adapt its models to detect emerging fraud patterns in real time.

2. How does AI help to reduce e-commerce chargebacks with AI?

AI fraud detection significantly reduces chargebacks by proactively identifying and blocking fraudulent transactions before they are approved and completed, thereby lowering the number of unauthorized transactions reported to card issuers.

3. What is behavioral biometrics in e-commerce and how is it used?

Behavioral biometrics in e-commerce involves analyzing unique user actions like typing speed, mouse movements, and scrolling patterns. Real-time transaction analysis uses this data to verify a user’s identity, making it a strong defense against account takeover fraud.

4. Does AI fraud detection cause a delay in transaction processing?

No, the analysis is nearly instantaneous. AI-powered payment gateway security systems complete their risk assessment and scoring in milliseconds, meaning the vast majority of transactions are processed without any noticeable delay to the customer.

5. What is the role of unsupervised learning in machine learning fraud prevention?

Unsupervised learning models are critical because they detect entirely new and unknown types of fraud. They identify transactions that are significant statistical outliers from all established, normal behavior, allowing for a defense against emerging threats without prior examples.

 

Compare Payment Gateways 2025: PayPal, Stripe, Razorpay, PayU

payment gateway picture

Running an online business in 2025 is like being a superhero in a digital universe—your payment gateway is your trusty sidekick, ensuring smooth transactions, happy customers, and a healthy bottom line. With giants like PayPal, Stripe, Razorpay, and PayU vying for your attention, choosing the right one can feel like picking a favorite Avenger. Each gateway has its superpowers, but the “best” depends on your business’s unique needs—whether it’s low fees, lightning-fast payouts, or seamless global reach.

In this fun, no-nonsense guide, we’ll dive deep into the 2025 payment gateway arena, comparing fees (including India’s pesky 18% GST), payout times, and must-have features. We’ll also spotlight why integration matters and how experts like Digital Payment Guru can make it a breeze. By the end, you’ll know exactly which gateway fuels your growth without burning a hole in your wallet. Let’s jump in!


Why Your Payment Gateway Choice Is a Game-Changer

Your payment gateway isn’t just a tool to process card swipes or UPI taps—it’s the heartbeat of your online hustle. Here’s why it’s a big deal in 2025:

  • Profit Power: Transaction fees (aka TDR) can nibble away at your margins like a sneaky squirrel. A 1% fee difference on ₹10 lakh monthly sales? That’s ₹10,000 saved yearly!
  • Cash Flow Swagger: Fast payouts keep your business humming—delays can leave you scrambling for funds.
  • Customer Wow Factor: Smooth checkouts with UPI, BNPL, or wallets boost conversions, while robust fraud protection builds trust.

India’s UPI ecosystem is a juggernaut, processing over 15 billion transactions monthly in 2025, making local gateways a must for domestic businesses. Meanwhile, global e-commerce in India is projected to hit $200 billion, so cross-border sellers need gateways with international muscle. Whether you’re a freelancer, SME, or enterprise, let’s find your payment soulmate!


Meet the Contenders: Fees, Payouts, and Features

1. PayPal: The Global Trust Titan

Fees:

  • Domestic: 2.29%–3.49% + $0.49 per transaction (roughly ₹40–50 in India, depending on payment type).
  • International: Add 1.5% cross-border fee + up to 4% currency conversion (total ~3.9%–4.5%).
  • Micropayments (under $10): 5% + $0.05.
  • No setup/monthly fees, but India’s 18% GST applies.

Payout Times:

  • Instant to your PayPal wallet—cha-ching!
  • Bank transfers: 1–3 business days (standard); instant to debit cards for a 1% fee (min $0.25, max $25).

Features That Rock:

  • Global reach: 200+ markets, 25+ currencies—perfect for borderless hustlers like exporters or freelancers.
  • Recurring billing, invoicing, and Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) via partners like PayPal Pay Later.
  • Unmatched trust: Shoppers see the PayPal logo and feel safe, boosting conversions.
  • Easy integrations with Shopify, WooCommerce, Wix, and more, plus a slick mobile app for managing payments on the go.
  • Robust buyer/seller protection and fraud detection keep scams at bay.

Who’s It For? Businesses targeting international customers who value trust over pinching pennies on fees. Think global freelancers, Etsy sellers, or cross-border e-commerce.

Pro Tip: PayPal’s fees sting for high volumes, so pair it with a low-cost local gateway for domestic sales. Watch those currency conversion fees—they’re sneakier than a cat burglar!


2. Stripe: The Developer’s Dream Machine

Fees:

  • Domestic cards: 2.9% + $0.30 (₹2 in India).
  • International cards: Add 1% (total ~3.9%).
  • ACH/bank transfers: 0.8% (capped at $5).
  • No setup/monthly fees; high-volume businesses can negotiate custom rates.

Payout Times:

  • Standard: 2–7 business days (T+2 in India).
  • Instant payouts: 1% extra for same-day cash.

Features That Rock:

  • Developer heaven: Powerful APIs let you craft custom payment flows for subscriptions, marketplaces, or SaaS.
  • Supports 135+ currencies and 100+ payment methods (cards, Apple Pay, Klarna, Affirm).
  • Stripe Radar’s AI-powered fraud detection (0.05–0.07¢ extra per transaction) stops fraudsters cold.
  • No-code integrations with Shopify, Wix, and WooCommerce make it accessible for non-techies too.
  • Invoicing, recurring billing, and tax automation for scaling like a pro.

Who’s It For? Tech-savvy startups, SaaS platforms, or global brands needing flexibility and scalability.

Pro Tip: Stripe’s sandbox mode lets you test integrations for free—perfect for tweaking before going live. Non-coders, lean on plugins for quick setups!


3. Razorpay: India’s UPI Rockstar

Fees:

  • Domestic (UPI/RuPay debit): 0% MDR (interchange fees may apply for wallets >₹2,000).
  • Cards/net banking/wallets: 2% + 18% GST.
  • International cards: 3–4% + GST.
  • No setup/maintenance fees; volume discounts for big players.

Payout Times:

  • Standard: T+2 working days.
  • Instant settlements: 1% extra for same-day cash.

Features That Rock:

  • 100+ payment modes: UPI, cards, net banking, BNPL, EMI—everything Indian shoppers love.
  • UPI AutoPay for subscriptions and a snazzy analytics dashboard with AI insights.
  • Seamless plugins for Shopify, WooCommerce, Magento, and more.
  • RazorpayX handles vendor payouts and forex transfers like a boss.
  • PCI-DSS compliant with robust fraud protection for peace of mind.

Who’s It For? Indian SMEs, D2C brands, and edtech platforms leaning hard into UPI and subscriptions.

Pro Tip: UPI’s zero fees make Razorpay a steal for domestic sales—90% of India’s transactions are UPI in 2025!


4. PayU: The Budget-Friendly Local Hero

Fees:

  • Domestic (cards/UPI/wallets): 2% + 18% GST.
  • International/EMI/Amex: 3% + GST.
  • No setup fees; annual maintenance negotiable for high-volume merchants.

Payout Times:

  • Standard: T+2–3 working days.
  • Quick settlements: Extra fee for same-day payouts.

Features That Rock:

  • 150+ payment options: UPI, cards, wallets, BNPL, and QR codes.
  • Strong presence in India, LatAm, and Africa—great for emerging markets.
  • Recurring billing, EMI, and multi-currency support for versatile checkouts.
  • Easy integrations with WooCommerce, Magento, and PrestaShop.
  • AI-driven fraud detection keeps your transactions secure.

Who’s It For? Indian startups and SMEs looking for affordability and diverse local payment options.

Pro Tip: PayU’s low domestic fees and UPI support make it a go-to for budget-conscious retailers.


5. Bonus Contenders to Keep on Your Radar

  • CCAvenue: 2% + GST (domestic), 3–4% (international). T+2–3 payouts. 200+ payment options, dynamic routing for 99%+ success rates, and multilingual checkouts. Best for Indian enterprises needing every bank imaginable (e.g., B2B wholesale).
  • Cashfree: 1.90% + GST (0.5% UPI); T+1 or instant payouts (1% extra). 180+ modes, bulk payouts (30,000/day), and Tally integration. Ideal for marketplaces or gig platforms needing fast vendor transfers.
  • Instamojo: 2% + ₹3 + GST (passable to customers for zero cost); 5% + ₹3 for digital goods. T+3 or faster payouts. Payment links and smart pages for creators selling courses, PDFs, or services. Perfect for freelancers and solopreneurs.

Quick Comparison Chart to Seal the Deal

GatewayDomestic FeesInternational FeesPayout TimeBest For
PayPal2.29–3.49% + $0.49~4% + FX1–3 days (instant)Global trust, multi-currency
Stripe2.9% + $0.30~3.9% + FX2–7 days (instant)Scalable, dev-friendly
Razorpay2% + GST (0% UPI)3–4% + GSTT+2 (instant)Indian SMEs, UPI dominance
PayU2% + GST3% + GSTT+2–3 (quick)Budget-friendly Indian startups
CCAvenue2% + GST3–4% + GSTT+2–3 daysEnterprises, local banks
Cashfree1.90% + GST (0.5% UPI)3% + GSTT+1 (instant)Marketplaces, fast payouts
Instamojo2% + ₹3 + GST5% + ₹3 + GSTT+3 (faster opt.)Creators, zero-fee option

Note: Fees exclude GST (18% in India); FX adds 1–4%. Payouts vary by risk/volume. Check provider sites for exact rates.


How to Pick Your Payment Gateway Soulmate

Choosing the right gateway is like dating—you need chemistry and compatibility. Here’s the 2025 playbook:

  • Global Ambitions? PayPal’s trusted name and Stripe’s customization are your wingmen. Stripe shines for complex flows like SaaS or marketplaces.
  • India-First? Razorpay or PayU dominate with UPI (0–2% fees). Cashfree’s T+1 payouts are a cash-flow lifesaver.
  • Freelancer or Creator? Instamojo’s payment links and zero-fee option (pass to customers) are pure magic. PayPal for global gigs.
  • Enterprise Vibes? CCAvenue’s 200+ options and custom rates handle high-volume chaos like a pro.

2025 Trend Alert: UPI’s zero MDR makes local gateways unbeatable for India, but global sales need PayPal or Stripe’s currency chops. Test gateways in sandbox mode to avoid integration hiccups, and keep an eye on RBI’s evolving MDR policies.


Integration: Don’t Get Tangled in the Tech Web

Picking a gateway is half the battle—integrating it is where things get real. APIs range from plug-and-play (Instamojo, PayU) to dev-intensive (Stripe). If coding feels like wrestling a digital octopus, call in the pros. Digital Payment Guru specializes in payment gateway integration, making setups for PayPal, Stripe, Razorpay, or PayU smooth, secure, and tailored to your business. Their experts handle PCI compliance, API quirks, and testing, so you can focus on scaling your empire, not debugging code. With Digital Payment Guru, your gateway will be up and running faster than you can say “cha-ching”!


Final Thoughts: Your Payment Gateway, Your Superpower

In 2025, your payment gateway is your business’s secret weapon. Razorpay and Cashfree lead India’s UPI revolution, while PayPal and Stripe rule global e-commerce. Cashfree’s 1.90% fees save big for high volumes, but Stripe’s fraud-fighting AI and PayPal’s trust factor are gold. Compare fees, test payouts, and align features with your goals—whether it’s UPI dominance or multi-currency mastery.

Don’t go it alone. With Digital Payment Guru, integration becomes a stress-free superpower, letting you focus on delighting customers and boosting revenue. Ready to supercharge your 2025 growth? Pick your gateway, integrate smart, and let your business soar!

FAQs

  1. What should I prioritize when selecting a payment gateway?
    Focus on your business needs! Key factors include transaction fees (e.g., Razorpay’s 0% UPI MDR vs. PayPal’s 3.49% domestic), payout speed (Cashfree’s T+1 vs. Stripe’s 2–7 days), and features like UPI support or multi-currency options. Consider your target market—global (PayPal, Stripe) or India-first (Razorpay, PayU)—and whether you need integrations for platforms like Shopify.
  2. How do fees impact my business in 2025?
    Fees can make or break your margins. A 1% difference on ₹10 lakh monthly sales equals ₹10,000 annually. In 2025, UPI’s zero MDR (e.g., Razorpay, Cashfree) is a game-changer for India, while international transactions (e.g., PayPal’s 4%+ FX) add costs. Check volume discounts and GST (18% in India) to calculate your true cost.
  3. Which gateway offers the fastest payouts?
    Speed varies by provider. Cashfree leads with T+1 payouts (instant for 1% extra), while Razorpay and PayU offer T+2 (instant for 1% extra). PayPal gives instant wallet access, with bank transfers taking 1–3 days. Instant options are pricier but great for cash flow—choose based on your urgency.
  4. How can I integrate a payment gateway without tech headaches?
    Integration can be tricky, especially with complex APIs (e.g., Stripe). For a seamless setup, partner with experts like Digital Payment Guru, who handle PCI compliance, testing, and platform-specific plugins (Shopify, WooCommerce) tailored to your business. This saves time and ensures security.
  5. Is UPI the future for Indian businesses in 2025?
    Absolutely! With 15+ billion monthly UPI transactions, gateways like Razorpay (0% UPI MDR) and PayU (2% + GST) are unbeatable for domestic sales. However, if you’re eyeing global markets, Stripe or PayPal’s multi-currency support is essential. A hybrid approach—UPI locally, global gateways internationally—might be your winning strategy.

Also Read: Your Guide to Mobile App Gateway Integration

AI

AI In Payment Processing And Fraud Detection

The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into payment processing and fraud detection has changed the way financial transactions are conducted and secured. The rise of e-commerce and digital payments has created the need for payment processing even more secure and effective. AI has emerged as a powerful tool to address this challenge. In this article, we will discuss the use of AI in payment processing and fraud detection.

Payment Processing

AI technology has played a key role in streamlining payment processing, reducing transaction time, and increasing efficiency. This allows companies to manage large projects in real-time. An AI-based payment processing system can analyze customer data, identify patterns, and predict customer behavior to deliver a seamless and personalized payment experience.

One of the critical benefits of AI-powered payment processing is its ability to reduce payment errors. Traditional payment processing systems often experience errors due to incorrect data entry, miscommunication, or other human errors. AI can reduce these errors by automating the entire payment process. AI algorithms can detect and fix payment errors before they occur, saving businesses time and money.

Another benefit of AI-based payment processing is fraud detection. AI algorithms can analyze transaction data in real-time to identify suspicious transactions, reducing the risk of fraudulent activities. AI is also capable of finding unusual spending and blocking unusual transactions.

Fraud Detection

AI-based fraud detection systems have been developed in order to detect and prevent fraudulent activities. Fraudulent activity is a serious problem in the economy and can have serious consequences for businesses and consumers alike. 

AI algorithms can analyze large amounts of data in real-time, including transaction history, spending habits, and user behavior to identify potential fraud AI can identify anomalies and patterns it is unusual enough to indicate fraudulent activity. This information can be used to flag transactions that require further investigation to prevent fraudulent activity.

AI-based fraud detection systems can also learn and adapt to new threats, making them more effective. As fraud becomes more sophisticated, new AI algorithms can be developed to identify new threats and prevent them from being harmed.

One of the most important benefits of AI-based fraud detection is speed. Traditional fraud detection methods often take too long to detect and respond to fraudulent activity, giving fraudsters plenty of time to wreak havoc. AI can analyze data in real-time, enabling companies to react quickly to potential threats and prevent financial loss.
Conclusion

The addition of AI to payment processing and fraud detection has transformed the financial industry. The use of AI in payment processing systems has enabled businesses to process large transactions in real time, reducing payment errors and providing customers with a seamless payment experience
AI-based fraud detection has made it possible to identify and prevent fraudulent transactions before they cause harm, reducing the risk of financial loss As the financial industry continues to evolve with payment processing and fraud in discovery, the application can be extensively extended, helping businesses operate more efficiently and safely

How Payment Gateway Reduces Frauds and Chargebacks?

With the rise of e-commerce and online transactions, the need for secure and reliable payment methods has become more critical than ever before. Payment gateways are the backbone of online transactions, ensuring that customers’ transactions are secure and merchants receive their payments. However, the increased volume of online transactions has also led to a rise in fraudulent activities and chargebacks, which can have a significant impact on merchants’ revenue and reputation. In this article, we will discuss the role of payment gateways in reducing fraud and chargebacks.

What is a Payment Gateway?

A payment gateway is a service that facilitates the transfer of funds between customers and merchants securely processing credit cards, debit cards, and other forms of electronic payments. Payment gateways act as intermediaries between the customer and the merchant’s bank, ensuring that transactions are processed securely and efficiently.

How Payment Gateways Reduce Fraud:

Payment gateways play a vital role in reducing fraudulent activities in online transactions. Fraudulent transactions can result in significant losses for merchants and can negatively impact their reputations. Payment gateways use various techniques to detect and prevent fraudulent transactions.

Here are some ways payment gateways reduce fraud:

Two-Factor Authentication:

Two-factor authentication (2FA) is a security measure that adds an extra layer of protection to online transactions. With 2FA, customers are required to provide two pieces of information to authenticate their identity. Payment gateways use 2FA to ensure that only authorized users are conducting transactions.

Real-Time Fraud Detection:

Payment gateways use real-time fraud detection systems to monitor transactions for suspicious activity. These systems analyze various data points, including the customer’s location, device information, and transaction history, to detect fraud. If a transaction is flagged as suspicious, the payment gateway can take immediate action to prevent the transaction from being processed.

Address Verification System (AVS):

Address Verification System (AVS) is a security feature that verifies the billing address provided by the customer with the address on file with the credit card company. Payment gateways use AVS to ensure that the customer is a legitimate cardholder and prevent fraudsters from using stolen credit cards.

Card Verification Value (CVV):

Card Verification Value (CVV) is a three-digit security code printed on the back of credit cards. Payment gateways require customers to provide the CVV code during transactions to ensure that the customer has the physical card and is not using stolen card information.

Risk Scoring:

Payment gateways use risk scoring to evaluate the risk associated with each transaction. Risk scoring takes into account various factors, such as the customer’s transaction history, device information, and location, to assign a risk score to the transaction. If a transaction is deemed high-risk, the payment gateway can take additional measures to prevent fraud.

How Payment Gateways Reduce Chargebacks:

Chargebacks occur when customers dispute a transaction and request a refund from their bank or credit card company. Chargebacks can result in significant losses for merchants, as they not only lose the revenue from the transaction but may also incur chargeback fees and damage to their reputation. Payment gateways use various techniques to prevent chargebacks.

Here are some ways payment gateways reduce chargebacks:

Chargeback Prevention Tools:

Payment gateways provide merchants with chargeback prevention tools to minimize the risk of chargebacks. These tools include fraud detection systems, dispute resolution processes, and chargeback alerts. Merchants can use these tools to identify and resolve disputes before they escalate into chargebacks.

Chargeback Representment:

Chargeback representment is the process of disputing a chargeback with the customer’s bank or credit card company. Payment gateways offer chargeback representment services to merchants, which involve gathering evidence to prove that the transaction was legitimate and providing it to the customer’s bank or credit

card company. If the evidence is convincing, the chargeback may be reversed, and the merchant can receive the funds for the transaction.

Fraud Monitoring:

Fraud monitoring is the process of continuously monitoring transactions for fraudulent activity. Payment gateways use fraud monitoring to identify transactions that are likely to result in chargebacks. If a transaction is flagged as high-risk, the payment gateway can take immediate action to prevent the transaction from being processed, reducing the risk of chargebacks.

Chargeback Alerts:

Payment gateways provide chargeback alerts to merchants, which notify them when a customer initiates a chargeback. Merchants can use these alerts to take immediate action to resolve the dispute before it escalates into a chargeback. By resolving disputes early, merchants can minimize the risk of chargebacks and maintain their revenue.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, payment gateways play a crucial role in reducing fraud and chargebacks in online transactions. With the increase in e-commerce and online transactions, payment gateways have become essential to ensure the security and reliability of online payments. Payment gateways use various techniques, including two-factor authentication, real-time fraud detection, AVS, CVV, and risk scoring, to detect and prevent fraudulent transactions. They also provide merchants with chargeback prevention tools, chargeback representment services, fraud monitoring, and chargeback alerts to minimize the risk of chargebacks. By using payment gateways, merchants can maintain their revenue and reputation while ensuring the security and reliability of their online transactions.

Online Payment Fraud in India – How is the Youth Affected

 

Online Payment have taken the market by storm. The positives of digital payment have compelled most businesses to add this method as a mode of payment. Doesn’t everything sound too good to be true? Well, digital payments have downsides to it too, and with more and more people becoming aware of the risks of data breaches, banks, and payment gateways are finding better ways to secure customer data.


Studies suggest that there is a strong correlation between the rise in the adoption of mobile applications, and online payments and an increase in financial fraud. As per a global survey conducted by FIS in 2019, statistics state that Indians are amongst the most frequent victims of online banking frauds so much so that the rate has doubled to 37% this year against 18% last year.

The rapid pace of digitization has created a competitive situation in the market wherein banks and payment wallets have developed apps for customers along with websites to complete quick and hassle-free transactions. Yet, around 96% of people who chose mobile apps over traditional modes of payment were affected by online payment fraud.
As per the data released by RBI for the financial year 2017-18, banks lost around Rs 32,000 crores of public money to online payment fraud. This showed a three-fold rise in digital scams in the last 5 years.


Let’s dive a little deeper into the different types of payment fraud and what steps have been taken by financial institutes to curb the repetition of such cases.


What are the common types of online payment fraud?

Online payment
Even after banks repeatedly send out notices and warnings about the types of payment frauds and how to be wary of them, hackers find a way to pose as authorized personnel to commit the crime. The most common types of payment fraud in India are:

Phishing:

Phishing is the process of accessing the target’s personal information and financial credentials through e-mails, text messages, or over calls. This sensitive information obtained by hackers is then used by them to their benefit.
Friendly Fraud:

Also known as a Chargeback Fraud, Friendly Fraud is when a customer (fraudster) completes the payment process with his own credit card. On receiving the goods or service, he then requests the issuing bank for a chargeback stating that his card was lost.
Unsafe apps and websites:

While casually browsing on the internet, we come across a number of pop-ups and are rerouted to unknown websites or app links that turn out to be fraudulent. People who are unaware of the pitfalls of such scenarios tend to give away sensitive information that is later misused against them.

Why is there a rise in online payment fraud in India?

After businesses bore the blow of demonetization, close to 1/3rd of India’s population resorted to online payment systems. It then became fairly easy for hackers to obtain confidential data. Some of the reason why there was a hike in the rate of fraud is:


• Lack of prosecution for such crimes.
• Low priority of digital payment frauds.
• Frequent calls from people pretending to be from banks and asking you for your personal details.
• Difficulty in nabbing the fraudster due to fake accounts created by him.

To know what is online fraud and how to prevent it click here.


Who is affected the most by online payment fraud?

A number of factors drove the younger generation to move to online modes of payment from their traditional counterparts. Low cost of mobile data connectivity, user-friendly interface of apps and websites, and convenience on-the-go form the top three tiers that contribute to the growth of digital payments. The age group of 18-37 is the prime audience that is affected by such online frauds as they are the working class and it is convenient for them to make transactions while traveling because of their busy schedules.


How are payment gateways securing customer data and preventing online fraud?

Since a large chunk of people is opting for payment gateway integrations, it goes without saying that data security becomes a major concern. Many steps are taken by such gateways to ensure the customer’s information is safe and secure. Some of the basic but important methods of securing data are:


• SSL Protocol
PCI DSS Compliance
• Tokenization
Encryption of data

Such steps create a sense of security in the minds of the customers so they complete transactions without giving it a second thought.

We, at Digital Payment Guru, partner with payment gateways that are leading in the market. We understand your concern about online payment fraud and ensure all transactions are secured under PCI DSS Level 1 compliant technology and fraud scrub. This allows customers to go ahead and make payments without worrying about the threats of data leaks. Head on to Digital Payment Guru to know more!

 

What Is Online Fraud And How To Prevent It?

Have you shopped online? Online fraud is what you can come across if not aware, Online fraud is false deception intentionally made for financial gains. Online frauds are of different types:

  • Online Spoofing
  • Online Phishing.
  • Triangulation fraud.
  • Data Theft
  • Chargeback fraud.

Online Spoofing:

Spoofing is the creation of spam emails that look genuine and trick businesses to take action. No one would knowingly download a Trojan package into the system unless provoked to do it by putting fake popups on security threats for the system. How it’s done? Well, genuine-looking mail is created with corporate graphics of reputed service providers which will guide you on how to protect your business. This professional graphic makes the mail look genuine and tricks businesses to click on the link in the mail. This link executes malicious software which harms the operating system and critical files, it expands through the network and affects clients as well.

spoofing

How to prevent Spoofing?

-When you receive such suspicious emails best thing to do is hover over the senders’ address, hackers have a domain name that is very much similar to legitimate domain names, so check for spelling mistakes.

-Legitimate institute never sends an attachment like .exe, .bat, or zip, check if the email has an attachment. Red flag the mail and do not follow any instructions written in the mail.

Online Phishing:

Phishing is a form of Spoofing but unlike Spoofing where attackers tend to break into the system and fetch information, Phishing is tricking the end-user to reveal sensitive information wherein a genuine-looking message is forwarded to the end-user which consists of a fake website link. This link redirects the end user to a bogus website that asks for sensitive account-related information. Revealing this information can harm your financial assets.

How to prevent Phishing?

-There is no problem in clicking on the links when you are on a trusted site, but when it comes to clicking on the links within the email or message you need to be 100% sure as these links can be spam links. Before clicking on such a link hover over the email and check if the links direct to what it actually shows. Do not fill in any personal data on such sites as it can be a lure to steal your data.

-Install Anti Phishing tools on a browser as these tools scan the entire websites and check with a list of phishing sites. If you visit any malicious sites the tool prompts immediately, do not visit the site.

Triangulation fraud:

Triangular fraud as the name suggests involvement of three people,

  1. Customer who places an order.
  2. Fraud seller.
  3. Genuine E-commerce site.

triangulation fraud

How fraud is done? A legitimate-looking website is made by a fraud seller who displays some items at very low prices, which makes the customers buy the products. The customer is unaware of the fraud happening and places an order on this fake website. The fraud seller has stolen credit card information which he uses to make the purchase of those products for which an order has been placed on his fake website. He purchases these products from a genuine website. The customer receives all the updates with the respective product from the seller. The seller sends these updates from a genuine site to the customer.

Who is the criminal? The seller with a stolen credit card is the criminal.

Victims? Well, there are two victims, the customer, If the fraud is discovered, the genuine website will contact the customer to return the stolen products.

and the person whose credit card details were used for transactions is a victim as he is unaware of those transactions.

How to prevent Triangulation fraud?

-Speak with the customer who doubts suspect triangulation fraud, and gather as much information as possible about the seller to determine the fake website.

-Focus on the products as the seller has some list of common products which sell very frequently, this can help to analyze the pattern of fraud.

Chargeback fraud:

Chargeback is the term used for an order from a bank to a business to return the amount paid for a fraudulent purchase. How is a chargeback fraud done? The customer makes a payment through a payment gateway for certain goods or services, later on, he/she claims that the purchase was made fraudulently or makes a false request that the goods were not delivered and claims for a chargeback. When a transaction seems legitimate then chargeback is the only way to get the money back.

How to prevent Chargeback Fraud?

The customer claims a chargeback for many reasons so the first step will be to identify the reason for a chargeback. Sometimes the customer can claim a chargeback if the description doesn’t go with the product when delivered. So work on the description to avoid a chargeback.

-Use delivery confirmation to ensure that the product has been delivered to the customer, at times it happens that a customer is not at home and the package is left on the porch which can be stolen, so for you, the item is delivered but the customer did not receive the product for which chargeback can be claimed.