A new form of scam is rampant in the world of e-commerce: the “refund.” This method, which involves obtaining a refund without returning the product, causes significant losses to commercial platforms. What exactly does it consist of and why is it so difficult to counter?
The 3 key facts not to miss
- The “refund” is a scam that exploits refund policies to obtain products for free.
- Social networks play a key role in spreading this scam, with viral content detailing the method.
- E-commerce companies lose about 1 billion euros per year in France due to this fraud.
The phenomenon of the “refund” and its mechanism
In the world of online commerce, the “refund” is a scam method that takes advantage of platform refund policies. Fraudsters order an item, claim a refund by pretending they never received it, while keeping the product. This practice has spread at a rapid pace, notably thanks to the virality of the hashtag #refund on social networks.
Social networks: a catalyst for the scam
Social networks play a crucial role in popularizing the “refund.” Many users share their “loot” and explain the techniques used to deceive platforms. The content, often accompanied by the hashtag #refund, shows products like smartphones or clothing obtained for free.
The difficulties of e-commerce giants facing this fraud
E-commerce companies, although they have tightened their refund policies and banned identified fraudsters, struggle to curb this phenomenon. The “last mile errors,” as described by Jonathan Spedale, founder of Cyber Moustache, represent a major challenge. This includes delivery errors where it is difficult to prove that the package was delivered to the right person.
Financial impact and strategies to combat it
In France, losses caused by the “refund” scam are estimated at 1 billion euros per year. Companies are trying to strengthen their verification systems, but the increasing sophistication of fraudsters complicates the task. Some of them are exploring advanced technologies to better track orders and verify returns.
Cyber Moustache: pioneer in the fight against fraud
Jonathan Spedale founded Cyber Moustache, a company dedicated to combating online fraud. His company focuses on developing solutions to help e-commerce platforms detect and prevent scams such as the “refund.” Through innovative technologies and a deep understanding of fraudulent methods, Cyber Moustache aims to reduce the financial impact of these scams on the sector.
