E-commerce frauds challenge retailers and drive smart automation use

The accelerated advance of e-commerce in Brazil has also given room for worrying growth: the increase in digital fraud. According to a survey by Equifax Boavista, attempts to hit e-commerce increased by 3.5% in 2024, compared to 2023.

Whether involving cloned cards or fraud by bots and improper chargebacks via PIX, the losses accumulated by shopkeepers as a result of these practices already add up to millionaire figures. In addition to the financial impact, such actions also compromise the confidence of consumers and the credibility of the platforms.

Among the most common scams are identity theft, misappropriation of user accounts (known as account takeover), chargebacks frauds and the use of fake coupons. The complexity and sophistication of attacks has required companies more robust solutions to ensure the security of their operations and preserve the customer journey.

However, intelligent automation integrated into the Open ecosystem has gained prominence as a strategic protection tool. According to experts, combining technologies such as artificial intelligence, machine learning and big data analysis, these systems are able to monitor transactions in real time, identify suspicious patterns and act preventively in the face of anomalous behavior.

“ Smart automation makes it possible to detect risks with greater precision and reduce false positives — which often stop legitimate purchases and affect the consumer experience”, explains Lígia Lopes, CEO of tues, a data-based intelligent automation platform, which adds: “In addition, we optimize operational resources by taking repetitive tasks out of the hands of teams, redirecting the focus to strategic decisions”.

According to the executive, frauds that use bots, for example, are increasingly common in limited product launches. By automating the buying process, these software can acquire large volumes of items before real customers have access to them, creating a parallel and unfair market. On the other hand, PIX scams often involve the handling of vouchers or false claims of error to obtain a refund after receiving the product.

“Another benefit of automation is the integration with anti-fraud systems based on biometrics and digital behavior. These solutions increase the level of transaction verification, helping to block sophisticated attacks such as phishing or account raids, which would not be easily detected by traditional methods”, emphasizes Lígia.

In the Open Finance environment, integrated automation also brought significant gains in terms of agility and customization, according to Lopes. The possibility of integrating banking data with management systems makes it possible to carry out real-time reconciliations, automate financial reports and offer services such as credit or insurance during checkout — all with security and transparency in the use of the data.

“Although there is no single solution to the fraud problem, the combination of technology and strategy is the most promising path. The digitization of consumption requires a proactive stance from companies and automating is no longer an option, but a need for those who want to remain competitive, safe and relevant in the market”, concludes the CEO of TEROS.