I don't call people because I'm deaf (this is one reason why I'm in the internet business in the first place...).

The thing I hate worse than an obvious fraud is the payment that looks suspicious but might be ok. For example, I have seen clients submit new cc info after 1 month of service. The latest one is in the same city every time (which also matches the city mentioned on the website), so they might have just agreed that the different owners should take turns paying. But this is the
third different cc I've seen so far :angry: (haven't decided whether to charge it or not yet).

I have the urge to just shut down all customers who spark my suspicions, but then I'd lose a lot of business. How do you deal with this stuff? Do you e-mail them and ask them to explain themselves? How do you do that in a way that doesn't get them defensive if they are actually honest? Do you take chances on this kind of thing?

Thanks :D

Making contact is usually the best way to go with the "suspicious" payments. Because of the hearing impairment possibly email and FAX would help.

Hello,
I'm emailing due to a security concern regarding the credit cards being used to make payment. [insert various info here about the integrity of the company and safety measures you want to take for the card holders] For this reason we will require that you FAX a copy of [insert some relevant info here such as drivers license, state ID, back of card type of things] to Company FAX number... etc etc .. Thank you for your understanding and prompt attention to this matter.... sign it.

If the cards are good and the situation is as you have guessed then they shouldn't have any problem whatsoever explaining as such and sending the info. If on the other hand, the cards are bad you will likely receive no response or something 'hostile' that will help you to determine if it is an account you wish to continue servicing.

Hi Lurleene,
You do have a special need here.

If you really are wondering about some customers, and with the example you gave I would be too.

Bets bet.. ask a friend to help you for 30 minutes, or an hour, and have them call the customers and confirm just what is going on with the card changes.

That would truly be your safest and surest way.

I wish you the best with your business,

Tim L

I find normally with suspicious accounts I'll send an email to verify, normally I never get a reply back or they reply from a totally off the wall email address (I don't care how much money it is, If you don't feel right demand some type of additional verification so you won't be sorry). Sometimes I'll call but since calling would not benefit you in this situation. I'd suggest having a friend help you.

:)

Simply email me and tell them that due to the third change of the card, you'll need them to photocopy their credit card, back and front, as well as their photo ID. Then send them a little contract stating that they authorize the charge and have them sign that and fax it back.

If its fake, they won't even bother. Also email your processor and they should be able to lookup all the information or call for a code 10.

Originally posted by xnet
Simply email me and tell them that due to the third change of the card, you'll need them to photocopy their credit card, back and front, as well as their photo ID. Then send them a little contract stating that they authorize the charge and have them sign that and fax it back...

Did this yesterday for an order from hong kong, after they already changed their name servers to ours. They haven't sent me anything back. Hmm... Oh well. Chargeback prevented, as far as I'm concerned.

See where the IP traces to. I also check the domain whois to see when it was registered and who it belongs to. Sometimes the domains are not even registered.

Thanks for all the advice! I don't have a fax machine, but I am now convinced I need to get one.

See where the IP traces to. I also check the domain whois to see when it was registered and who it belongs to. Sometimes the domains are not even registered.

I love to use these tools. In this case, the IP from all the orders traces to the right city (either everything is ok or they are super careful in covering their tracks). The domain they use is a subdomain so I can't get any info from that. I just keep wondering if they are pickpockets rather than the usual hacker frauds. This one has definitely thrown me for a loop.

As for getting a fax, I know in general (don't have direct experience), there are online services where you can get a 1800 number ppl can fax to you and you can reteive the faxes online.

Hello Lurleene,

I use J2.com for my faxing needs. I pay for the premier plan because I wanted a local number. However, they have a free plan that will have faxes sent directly to the email address of your choice.

Originally posted by bitserve
Did this yesterday for an order from hong kong, after they already changed their name servers to ours. They haven't sent me anything back. Hmm... Oh well. Chargeback prevented, as far as I'm concerned.

Just following up here.

Wow, after two days, I sent them an email asking if they got my request for the authorization form, credit card, and ID and letting them know that I would have to cancel their order if I didn't hear back in a day. And they finally replied.

I got both sides of the card, and the authorization form. The signatures match. No ID though. Hmm....

they could have scanned the signature, and copy the image right out of it. You could have required a notary to sign it as well showing that they signed it in their presence :)