Payment Security Basics Every Merchant Should Know

Why Payment Security Matters More Than Ever

Global e-commerce fraud losses hit $48 billion in 2024 and are projected to reach $107 billion by 2029. That's a 141% increase in just five years.

But here's what makes this personal: every fraudulent transaction doesn't just cost you the product value. For every $1 lost to fraud, merchants actually lose $4.61 when you factor in chargeback fees, operational costs, and time spent fighting disputes.

If you're processing $50,000 monthly and experiencing just 2% fraud (which is below average), that's:

• $1,000 in direct fraud losses

• $4,610 in total impact on your business

• $55,320 annually

This guide explains the three pillars of payment security every merchant must understand: fraud prevention, chargeback management, and reconciliation. Master these, and you protect both revenue and reputation.

Understanding E-Commerce Fraud

The Growing Threat

E-commerce chargeback rates surged 222% between Q1 2023 and Q1 2024—the steepest increase in industry history. Fraudsters are getting more sophisticated, using AI, deepfakes, and social engineering to bypass traditional security.

The Six Types of Fraud Every Merchant Faces

1. Friendly Fraud (First-Party Fraud)

What It Is: A customer makes a legitimate purchase, receives the product, then disputes the charge with their bank claiming they never authorized it or never received it.

The Scale: Friendly fraud accounts for 61-70% of all chargebacks. It's now the #1 fraud type globally, representing a $132 billion annual risk.

Why It's Growing:

• 84% of customers find chargebacks more convenient than refunds

• 72% of shoppers don't know the difference between chargebacks and refunds

• Mobile banking apps make filing disputes "a few taps"

• 42% of Gen Z shoppers admit to committing first-party fraud

Common Scenarios:

• "I don't recognize this charge" (but they made the purchase)

• "I never received the product" (but tracking shows delivery)

• "I cancelled my subscription" (but they didn't follow cancellation process)

• "The product was defective" (but they never contacted merchant)

Red Flags:

• Customer disputes charge days after delivery confirmation

• High-value purchase with minimal communication

• Customer demands immediate refund without following return policy

• Delivery address differs from billing address

Prevention:

• Use clear, recognizable business names on statements

• Send shipping confirmations and tracking updates

• Require signature for high-value deliveries

• Keep detailed records of all customer communications

2. Credit Card Fraud (True Fraud)

What It Is: A fraudster uses stolen credit card information to make unauthorized purchases.

The Numbers: 38% of merchants experienced credit card fraud in 2024. Card-not-present (CNP) fraud is particularly severe—U.S. CNP fraud losses jumped from $5.04 billion in 2019 to $10.16 billion in 2024.

How Cards Get Stolen:

• Data breaches (massive databases of card numbers sold on dark web)

• Phishing emails tricking users into entering card details

• Card skimmers at ATMs or gas stations

• Compromised e-commerce websites

Warning Signs:

• Multiple orders to different addresses using same card

• Orders from countries you don't typically ship to

• High-value orders with expedited shipping

• Customer requests immediate digital delivery

• Mismatched billing and shipping addresses

• Multiple failed payment attempts before success

Prevention Measures:

• Address Verification Service (AVS): Confirms billing address matches card on file

• Card Verification Value (CVV): Requires 3-digit code from physical card

• 3D Secure (3DS): Adds authentication layer (like OTP verification)

• Velocity checks: Flag multiple rapid transactions

• Device fingerprinting: Identify suspicious devices

• IP geolocation: Detect orders from high-risk regions

3. Account Takeover (ATO)

What It Is: Fraudster gains access to a legitimate customer's account using stolen credentials, then makes purchases using saved payment methods.

The Reality: 22% of consumers have fallen victim to account takeover, with average losses of $12,000 per incident.

How It Happens:

• Credential stuffing (trying stolen username/password combinations)

• Phishing attacks obtaining login information

• Social engineering (tricking users into revealing credentials)

• Malware on user devices

Detection Signals:

• Login from unusual location or device

• Multiple failed login attempts

• Sudden change in shipping address

• Purchase patterns that don't match customer history

• Password reset requests from unknown locations

Protection Strategies:

• Implement multi-factor authentication (MFA)

• Monitor for unusual login patterns

• Email alerts for account changes

• CAPTCHA for login attempts

• Session timeout for inactive users

• Require re-authentication for saved payment methods

4. Identity Theft / Synthetic Identity Fraud

What It Is: Fraudsters create fake identities using a mix of real and fabricated information to open accounts and make purchases.

The Surge: Synthetic identity fraud grew 31% in 2024, with U.S. cases jumping 311% from Q1 2024 to Q1 2025.

Why It's Dangerous: Traditional fraud detection struggles because synthetic identities partially match real data, bypassing basic verification.

AI-Powered Evolution: Deepfake fraud increased 1,100% year-over-year, with fraudsters using AI to create realistic fake IDs and bypass facial recognition.

Detection Challenges:

• Identity may pass basic checks

• Credit history appears legitimate

• Difficult to distinguish from real customers

• Often goes undetected for months

Defense Tactics:

• Enhanced identity verification for new accounts

• Document verification (government ID)

• Behavioral analysis (does activity match profile?)

• Monitor for inconsistencies in data

• Flag new accounts with high-value purchases

5. Triangulation Fraud

What It Is: A three-party scam where fraudsters set up fake marketplaces, collect customer payments, then purchase items from legitimate merchants using stolen cards.

The Process:

1. Fraudster creates fake online store with attractive prices

2. Real customer orders product, pays with their legitimate card

3. Fraudster uses stolen card to buy from real merchant

4. Real merchant ships to customer (who receives product happily)

5. Stolen card owner discovers fraud, files chargeback

6. Real merchant loses product, revenue, and faces chargeback fees

Why It's Insidious: The actual customer receives the product and is happy, so they don't report anything. The merchant only discovers the fraud when the chargeback hits—often weeks later.

Red Flags:

• First-time customer with high-value order

• Shipping to residential address but business-type purchase

• Rush shipping request

• Customer communication seems unusual or scripted

Prevention:

• Verify new customer email addresses (check domain age)

• Google the customer's phone number

• Be suspicious of too-good-to-be-true orders

• Contact customer directly to verify large orders

• Check if customer's email/phone appears in fraud databases

6. Refund and Return Fraud

What It Is: Customers abuse return policies to obtain products without paying or get refunds while keeping items.

The Cost: Return fraud totaled $101 billion in 2024—13.5% of all returns.

Common Schemes:

• Wardrobing: Buying clothing, wearing it, then returning it

• Receipt fraud: Using fake or stolen receipts

• Switch fraud: Returning different (cheaper/broken) item in original packaging

• Empty box fraud: Claiming item wasn't in the package

• Serial returners: Customers who return 80%+ of purchases

Impact on Business:

• Lost inventory

• Shipping costs both ways

• Processing time and labor

• Restocking fees often not recovered

• Damaged/used items can't be resold

Protection Strategies:

• Clear return policies with time limits

• Require original packaging and tags

• Inspect returns carefully before refunding

• Track return rates by customer

• Flag serial returners (30%+ return rate)

• Use unique serial numbers on high-value items

• Consider restocking fees

• Shorten return windows for high-risk categories

Understanding Chargebacks

What Is a Chargeback?

A chargeback is a forced reversal of a transaction initiated by the customer through their bank. Unlike a refund (which the merchant controls), a chargeback bypasses the merchant entirely.

The Chargeback Explosion

The numbers are staggering:

• Global chargebacks will reach $41.69 billion by 2028

• Chargeback volume will increase 41% between 2023 and 2026 (from 238 million to 337 million)

• Average chargeback amount climbed to $169.13 in 2024

• 72% of merchants reported increased friendly fraud in 2024

The True Cost of Chargebacks

A $100 chargeback doesn't cost you $100. Here's the real math:

Direct Costs:

• $100 product cost (lost inventory)

• $25 chargeback fee from payment processor

• $15 shipping costs (both ways if returned)

• $10 transaction processing fees

Indirect Costs:

• Staff time investigating and responding (1-3 hours at $25/hr = $25-75)

• Lost opportunity cost (that inventory could have been sold)

• Potential chargeback monitoring program fees if ratio gets too high

Total: $175-225 lost on a $100 chargeback

Chargeback Reason Codes

Banks use specific codes to categorize disputes. Understanding these helps you defend against them:

Fraud-Related (True Fraud):

• Code 10.4 (Visa) / 4837 (Mastercard): Fraudulent transaction—card not present

• Code 57 (Visa): Fraudulent multiple transactions

Authorization Issues:

• Code 11.1 (Visa) / 4808 (Mastercard): Card was not authorized

• Code 11.2: Card was declined but transaction processed anyway

Processing Errors:

• Code 12.1: Late presentment (transaction processed too late)

• Code 12.6: Duplicate processing

Customer Disputes (Friendly Fraud Territory):

• Code 13.1 (Visa) / 4855 (Mastercard): Merchandise/services not received

• Code 13.3: Not as described or defective merchandise

• Code 13.2: Cancelled recurring transaction

• Code 13.5: Misrepresentation

How to Fight Chargebacks

Merchants win an average of 45% of chargebacks they dispute—but only if they provide compelling evidence.

Evidence That Wins Disputes:

For "Item Not Received" Claims:

• Shipping confirmation with tracking number

• Delivery confirmation (signature if available)

• IP address and device information from purchase

• Customer communication acknowledging receipt

• Photos of package preparation

For "Unauthorized Transaction" Claims:

• AVS match confirmation

• CVV verification

• 3D Secure authentication logs

• IP address matching customer's location

• Device fingerprint matching previous orders

• Customer communication confirming order

For "Not as Described" Claims:

• Product descriptions from your website

• Customer acknowledgment of terms

• Photos of actual product shipped

• Return policy customer agreed to

• Communication showing customer didn't follow return process

For "Subscription Cancelled" Claims:

• Terms and conditions customer accepted

• Record showing subscription still active

• Email notifications sent about upcoming charges

• Logs showing customer accessed service after claimed cancellation

Response Best Practices:

• Respond within deadline (usually 7-10 days)

• Be specific and factual, not emotional

• Organize evidence clearly with headers

• Include timestamps on all documentation

• Reference specific reason code in response

• Provide context (e.g., "Customer logged in 5 times after delivery")

Preventing Chargebacks Before They Happen

1. Clear Communication:

• Use recognizable business name on statements

• Send order confirmations immediately

• Provide tracking information

• Set accurate delivery expectations

• Make contact information easy to find

2. Transparent Policies:

• Clear return/refund policies visible at checkout

• Subscription terms explicitly stated

• Cancellation process easy to find and follow

• No hidden fees

3. Product Accuracy:

• Accurate descriptions and photos

• Size charts for clothing

• Detailed specifications for electronics

• Customer reviews visible

• Clear product condition (new vs refurbished)

4. Excellent Customer Service:

• Respond to inquiries within 24 hours

• Easy returns process (easier return = fewer chargebacks)

• Proactive communication about delays

• Multiple contact methods available

5. Subscription Management:

• Send reminders before billing

• Easy cancellation process (make it easier to cancel than to chargeback)

• Clear next billing date displayed

• Pause options instead of just cancel

• Confirmation emails after each charge

Chargeback Monitoring Programs

Payment networks monitor merchant chargeback rates. Exceed thresholds, and you face penalties:

Visa Dispute Monitoring Program (VDMP):

• Standard threshold: 0.9% chargeback rate + 100 chargebacks/month

• Excessive threshold: 1.8% chargeback rate + 1,000 chargebacks/month

• Penalties: Monthly fines starting at $50, increasing to $25,000+

Mastercard Excessive Chargeback Program (ECP):

• Threshold: 1.5% chargeback rate + 100 chargebacks/month

• Penalties: Review fees ($1,000-25,000/month) plus per-chargeback fees

Consequences of Enrollment:

• Monthly monitoring fees ($10,000+)

• Per-chargeback penalties

• Required remediation plans

• Potential loss of payment processing

• Damage to merchant reputation

How to Stay Below Thresholds:

• Monitor your chargeback rate weekly

• Industry average is 0.60-0.65%—aim for under 0.50%

• Investigate spikes immediately

• If one product generates chargebacks, remove it

• If one region shows high fraud, adjust risk settings

IntaSend's Chargeback Management System

Unlike payment processors that leave you alone to fight chargebacks, IntaSend provides structured support throughout the dispute process.

Immediate Chargeback Notification

What happens when a chargeback is filed:

1. Instant alert: Email and dashboard notification within minutes

2. Full details provided: Chargeback reason code, customer information, transaction details

3. Evidence requirements: Clear list of what documentation you need

4. 7-day response window: You have time to gather evidence and build your case

Why this matters: Over 80% of businesses cite difficulty pinpointing causes of failed payments and chargebacks. IntaSend's notification system ensures you're always informed and can respond quickly.

Guided Dispute Response

IntaSend doesn't just notify you—we guide you through the response process:

Your options:

• Accept the chargeback: If you agree the customer's claim is valid

• Dispute the chargeback: If you have evidence the transaction was legitimate

Dispute support:

1. Review the specific reason code with IntaSend guidance

2. Gather evidence based on chargeback type:

   • Proof of delivery for "item not received"

   • Authorization logs for "unauthorized transaction"

   • Product descriptions for "not as described"

   • Subscription terms for "cancelled recurring"

3. Draft response letter (IntaSend provides templates)

4. Submit evidence to IntaSend

5. IntaSend forwards to acquiring bank with proper documentation

Critical deadline: You must respond within 7 days, or the chargeback is automatically accepted. IntaSend's notification system ensures you never miss this window.

Chargeback Fee Structure

IntaSend's approach:

• Chargeback fees are automatically deducted from your merchant account

• Transparent fee structure (no hidden costs)

• If account balance is insufficient, you'll be notified to deposit funds

Fee breakdown:

• Chargeback processing fee: Applied per chargeback

• If you win the dispute: Transaction amount returned to you

• If you lose: Transaction amount + fee = total cost

Volume monitoring: IntaSend tracks your chargeback ratio and alerts you if you're approaching payment network thresholds (0.9% for Visa, 1.5% for Mastercard).

Refund Management API

Smart merchants prevent chargebacks by offering easy refunds. IntaSend provides programmatic refund management.

# Create refund via IntaSend API
service.chargebacks.create(
    invoice=invoice_id,
    amount=refund_amount,
    reason="customer_request",
    reason_details="Product damaged in shipping"
)

Benefits:

• Process refunds before customers dispute

• Maintain control (vs. chargeback where bank controls)

• Keep customer relationships positive

• Avoid chargeback fees

• Retain possibility of future sales

Strategic approach: Make refunds easy. Customers who can easily request refunds are less likely to file chargebacks.

WooCommerce Plugin: Automated Fraud Prevention

For WooCommerce merchants, IntaSend's plugin includes built-in fraud screening:

Features:

• Every payment verified before approval

• Suspicious orders flagged automatically

• Fraud screening happens in real-time

• No additional setup required

Merchant results:

• "No more chargebacks eating your profit"

• "Fraud screening blocks suspicious orders automatically"

• Trusted by thousands of Kenyan WooCommerce merchants

Learn more about chargeback management →

Reconciliation: Your Financial Safety Net

What Is Payment Reconciliation?

Reconciliation is the process of matching your sales records with actual funds received, ensuring every transaction is accounted for and all fees are correct.

Why It Matters

Nearly 60% of firms say failed payments are expensive to track and resolve. Without proper reconciliation:

• Revenue leaks go undetected

• Refunds are issued twice

• Chargebacks aren't recorded properly

• Tax reporting becomes inaccurate

• Financial statements are wrong

• You can't identify payment processor errors

Daily Reconciliation Process

Step 1: Gather Data

• Export sales report from e-commerce platform

• Download settlement report from payment processor

• Collect refund and chargeback logs

• Note any failed or pending transactions

Step 2: Match Transactions

• Compare order numbers between systems

• Verify amounts match

• Account for payment processor fees

• Identify discrepancies

Step 3: Investigate Discrepancies

Common mismatches and their causes:

Sales show $500, processor deposited $475:

• Likely correct: $475 is net after 5% processing fees

• Action: Verify fee rate in processor agreement

Order shows "paid," no deposit received:

• Payment failed but system marked as successful

• Customer dispute stopped settlement

• Action: Check payment status, contact processor

Processor shows deposit, no matching order:

• Could be previous day's late settlement

• Could be error requiring reversal

• Action: Check date ranges, verify with processor

Multiple small deposits, no orders:

• Could be card testing by fraudsters

• Action: Immediate security review

Step 4: Document Everything

• Note all discrepancies in reconciliation log

• Track resolution actions

• Keep records for tax and audit purposes

Weekly Reconciliation Tasks

• Verify all refunds processed correctly

• Review chargeback list against your records

• Calculate actual payment processor fees vs. expected

• Identify patterns (certain days with more failures?)

• Update accounting records

Monthly Reconciliation Deep Dive

• Full bank statement reconciliation

• Compare month's gross sales vs. net deposits

• Calculate total fees paid (should match rate × volume)

• Review all outstanding transactions

• Identify trends (fraud increasing? certain products problematic?)

• Generate financial reports for management

Red Flags That Need Immediate Attention

Revenue Discrepancies:

• Net deposits significantly lower than expected

• Growing gap between sales and settlements

• Possible causes: Increasing chargeback rate, processor holding reserves

Fee Irregularities:

• Fees suddenly higher than usual

• Unexpected penalty charges

• Possible causes: Chargeback threshold exceeded, contract rate changes

Missing Transactions:

• Orders marked paid but no settlement

• Settlement with no matching order

• Possible causes: System integration errors, fraud, technical glitches

Settlement Delays:

• Funds taking longer than usual to arrive

• Possible causes: Processor concerns about fraud, account review triggered

Reconciliation Tools and Systems

Manual Reconciliation:

• Tools: Excel spreadsheets, accounting software

• Best for: Small businesses (<100 transactions/day)

• Time required: 1-2 hours daily

Semi-Automated:

• Tools: QuickBooks, Xero with payment integrations

• Best for: Growing businesses (100-1,000 transactions/day)

• Time required: 30 minutes daily

Fully Automated:

• Tools: Enterprise accounting systems with API integrations

• Best for: High-volume businesses (1,000+ transactions/day)

• Time required: Review exceptions only (15 minutes)

Working with Payment Processors

What to Monitor:

• Settlement times (should be consistent)

• Hold rates (funds held due to risk)

• Chargeback ratios

• Authorization success rates

• Processing fees accuracy

When to Contact Your Processor:

• Unusual settlement delays

• Unexpected fee increases

• Chargeback rate approaching thresholds

• Integration errors causing failed transactions

• Suspected fraudulent activity

Questions to Ask:

• Why is my settlement delayed?

• What caused this hold on my account?

• Can you waive this chargeback fee? (sometimes negotiable for first offense)

• What's my current chargeback ratio?

• Are there ways to reduce processing fees?

Simplified Reconciliation with IntaSend

IntaSend's dashboard and API make reconciliation straightforward, even for businesses processing hundreds of transactions daily.

Real-Time Transaction Dashboard

What you see:

• All transactions in one view (cards, mobile money, bank transfers)

• Filter by date, payment method, status, and amount

• Transaction details: fees, net amount, customer information

• Export functionality for accounting software

• Settlement reports showing exactly what was deposited

No more spreadsheet hell: Everything you need for reconciliation in one place.

Automated Settlement Reports

Daily settlements include:

• Gross transaction amount

• Processing fees (broken down by transaction)

• Net amount deposited

• Transaction IDs matching your order system

• Refunds and chargebacks deducted

Settlement timing:

• M-Pesa/Mobile money: Instant withdrawal available

• Card payments: 2-3 days clearing period

• Bank transfers: Same day to 1 business day

Predictable flow: No surprise holds or delays unless account is flagged for security review (you'll be notified why).

API for Automated Reconciliation

For businesses processing high volumes, IntaSend's API enables full automation:

Key endpoints:

• List all transactions (with filters)

• Get transaction details

• Webhook notifications for status changes

• Settlement report downloads

• Chargeback notifications

Support for Complex Scenarios

IntaSend handles:

• Split payments: Automatic commission deduction from transactions

• Multi-currency: Proper conversion rates recorded

• Partial refunds: Correctly tracked and reported

• Failed transactions: Clear failure reasons provided

• Pending payments: Status tracking until completion

Building a Complete Security System

Layer 1: Prevention (Stop Fraud Before It Happens)

Technical Controls:

• 3D Secure authentication

• Address Verification Service (AVS)

• CVV verification

• Device fingerprinting

• IP geolocation

• Velocity checks

Operational Controls:

• Manual review of suspicious orders

• Customer verification calls for high-value orders

• Shipping only to verified addresses

• Delayed fulfillment for new customers

Risk Scoring:

• Assign risk scores to orders (0-100)

• Low risk (0-30): Auto-approve

• Medium risk (31-70): Enhanced verification

• High risk (71-100): Manual review or decline

How IntaSend Protects Your Business from Fraud

IntaSend provides multi-layered security that stops fraud before it happens—without you building infrastructure from scratch.

Bank-Grade Security Built In

IntaSend is PCI-DSS compliant and recognized by Visa, Mastercard, and major financial institutions. This means:

• Your card data is never stored on your servers (we handle tokenization)

• Bank-grade encryption protects all transactions end-to-end

• Sectigo SSL certificates meet NIST and CAB Forum standards

• Multi-factor authentication (MFA) on all account access

• Regular security audits by SISA InfoSec ensure ongoing compliance

What this means for you: You don't need to become a security expert or invest millions in compliance. IntaSend handles the complex security requirements so you can focus on your business.

3D Secure 2.0 Authentication

Every card transaction processed through IntaSend uses 3D Secure authentication—the same technology banks use to prevent unauthorized card use.

How it works:

1. Customer enters card details

2. IntaSend triggers 3DS authentication

3. Card issuer sends one-time PIN to cardholder's phone

4. Customer enters PIN to authorize transaction

5. Payment completes only after authentication

Impact on fraud:

• Shifts liability for fraudulent transactions from you to the card issuer

• Reduces chargebacks from "unauthorized transaction" claims

• Stops fraudsters even if they have stolen card numbers (they don't have the phone)

Impact on customers:

• Adds just 10-15 seconds to checkout

• Familiar process (same as online banking)

• Increases customer confidence in your security

Automated Fraud Screening

IntaSend uses internal and third-party screening tools to flag suspicious transactions in real-time:

Risk signals monitored:

• IP geolocation (order from Kenya with US card? Flag for review)

• Device fingerprinting (recognizes suspicious devices)

• Transaction velocity (multiple rapid orders)

• Mismatched billing/shipping addresses

• Blacklisted card numbers or email addresses

Result: High-risk transactions are automatically flagged for your review before fulfillment, stopping fraud before you ship products.

Mobile Money Fraud Protection

Mobile money transactions have different fraud vectors than cards. IntaSend's mobile money integration includes:

• M-Pesa transaction verification

• Customer phone number validation

• Failed transaction tracking

• Duplicate payment prevention

• Real-time transaction status

African market advantage: IntaSend understands local fraud patterns specific to M-Pesa, MTN Mobile Money, and Airtel Money—something international processors often miss.

Learn more about IntaSend's security measures →

Layer 2: Detection (Catch Fraud Quickly)

Monitoring Systems:

• Real-time fraud alerts

• Daily chargeback reports

• Failed transaction analysis

• Customer dispute patterns

Key Metrics to Track:

• Chargeback rate (aim for <0.50%)

• Fraud rate (industry average 1-2%)

• Authorization success rate (aim for >90%)

• Refund rate by product

• Customer complaint frequency

Layer 3: Response (Handle Incidents Effectively)

Fraud Response Protocol:

1. Immediately void/refund transaction if caught quickly

2. Add customer data to blacklist

3. Report to payment processor

4. Document all details

5. Review why fraud wasn't prevented

Chargeback Response Protocol:

1. Review reason code

2. Gather compelling evidence

3. Submit response within deadline

4. Track outcome

5. Update prevention based on patterns

Layer 4: Recovery (Minimize Losses)

Chargeback Representment:

• Fight chargebacks you can win (45% win rate)

• Calculate cost vs. benefit (worth the time?)

• Use strong evidence

• Learn from losses

Insurance Options:

• Chargeback insurance (covers losses above certain threshold)

• Fraud protection guarantees from payment processors

• Business insurance with cyber coverage

Why African Merchants Choose IntaSend for Security

Built for African Payment Methods

International payment processors often treat African payment methods as an afterthought. IntaSend is different:

Native integration:

• M-Pesa (Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda)

• MTN Mobile Money (Uganda, Ghana, Nigeria)

• Airtel Money (Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia)

• Cards (Visa, Mastercard—international and local)

• Bank transfers

• Apple Pay and Google Pay

Result: Lower failure rates, faster settlements, better fraud detection for local payment methods.

Security That Doesn't Sacrifice Speed

Integration timeline:

• Sign up and get API keys: 5 minutes

• Integrate payment methods: Same day

• Test in sandbox: 1-2 hours

• Go live: Same day

vs. building yourself:

• Security compliance: 12-18 months

• PCI-DSS certification: $50K-150K

• Ongoing security maintenance: 30-40% of engineering capacity

IntaSend handles PCI-DSS compliance, fraud detection, and regulatory requirements so you can launch secure payments without the security headaches.

Transparent Pricing, No Hidden Fees

What you see is what you pay:

• Transaction fees are clearly stated

• No monthly account fees

• No setup costs

• No hidden compliance charges

• No minimum transaction requirements

Chargeback approach:

• Clear fee structure

• Guidance on how to fight disputes

• Tools to prevent chargebacks (easy refunds, good documentation)

• Volume alerts before hitting network thresholds

Trust Built Over Time

Credentials:

• PCI-DSS Level 1 compliant

• Recognized by Visa and Mastercard

• Partnership with SISA InfoSec for ongoing compliance

• Licensed banking partners (members of deposit insurance schemes)

• Trusted by thousands of African merchants

Customer feedback:

• "Their platform is incredibly user-friendly... fast and secure payment process provides peace of mind" — Foodtable by Roros

• "I am currently blown away by your product. The documentation is so developer friendly" — Developer testimonial

• "Outstanding quick turn-around in processing payment and your after-office hour's support" — Merchant testimonial

Creating Your Security Action Plan

Immediate Actions (This Week)

1. Audit Current Security:

   • What fraud prevention tools are active?

   • What's your chargeback rate?

   • How are you reconciling transactions?

2. Enable Basic Protections:

   • Turn on AVS verification

   • Require CVV for all transactions

   • Enable 3D Secure if available

   • Set up chargeback notifications

3. Establish Monitoring:

   • Daily sales/settlement reconciliation

   • Weekly chargeback review

   • Monthly fraud rate calculation

Short-Term Actions (This Month)

1. Improve Policies:

   • Make return policy crystal clear

   • Simplify subscription cancellation

   • Update product descriptions

   • Add better photos

2. Enhance Evidence Collection:

   • Implement delivery signature requirement for >$200 orders

   • Save IP addresses and device info

   • Document all customer communications

   • Take photos of shipped packages

3. Train Your Team:

   • How to spot suspicious orders

   • When to manually review

   • How to respond to chargebacks

   • Reconciliation procedures

Long-Term Actions (This Quarter)

1. Implement Advanced Fraud Detection:

   • Machine learning fraud scoring

   • Behavioral analysis

   • Consortium data sharing

   • Address verification databases

2. Optimize Operations:

   • Automated reconciliation

   • Chargeback management software

   • Customer self-service portal

   • Enhanced shipping tracking

3. Build Resilience:

   • Disaster recovery plan

   • Multiple payment processor backups

   • Insurance coverage review

   • Regular security audits

The Bottom Line

Payment security isn't about eliminating all fraud—that's impossible. It's about building layers of defense that:

• Prevent most fraud before it happens

• Detect fraud that slips through quickly

• Respond effectively to minimize damage

• Recover as much as possible from losses

With fraud projected to reach $107 billion by 2029 and chargeback rates rising 222% year-over-year, security isn't optional—it's existential.

The merchants who survive and thrive will be those who:

• Monitor metrics religiously

• Respond to chargebacks aggressively

• Reconcile transactions daily

• Update defenses continuously

• Balance security with customer experience

Protect Your Business with IntaSend Today

Don't wait for fraud to hit your business. Every day without proper security is revenue at risk.

What you get with IntaSend:

• Bank-grade security (PCI-DSS compliant, no compliance costs for you)

• 3D Secure authentication (shifts fraud liability away from you)

• Automated fraud screening (catches suspicious orders before fulfillment)

• Chargeback support (guided dispute process, instant notifications)

• Easy reconciliation (real-time dashboard, automated reports)

• Mobile money expertise (native M-Pesa, MTN, Airtel integration)

• Same-day integration (go live in hours, not months)

• 24/7 support (real humans in your timezone)

Zero setup fees. Transparent pricing. No hidden charges.

Start protecting your business now:

Create a Free IntaSend Account
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IntaSend Security

Already losing money to fraud or chargebacks?
Contact our team: support@intasend.com | +254 711 082 947

Your payment security is our expertise. Let's stop fraud together.