‘It’s theft’: The online shoppers receiving their orders then claiming refunds

News Brief: English

Summary

Small businesses in Australia are reporting significant financial losses due to fraudulent chargebacks, where online shoppers receive goods but then falsely dispute the transactions with their banks to get refunds. This “friendly fraud” is a growing problem as e-commerce grows, with business owners calling for better protection from banks and payment systems.

Key Points

  • Widespread Issue: Small business owners across retail sectors are losing thousands of dollars to fraudulent chargebacks, where customers keep products but successfully reverse payments.
  • Ineffective Evidence: Providing proof of order confirmation, communication, and delivery (e.g., Australia Post tracking) often fails to stop banks from approving chargebacks.
  • Systemic Pressure: The rise of “card not present” e-commerce, set to surpass in-store transactions, has outpaced the dispute resolution systems, making businesses vulnerable.
  • Business Impact: Losses directly cut into thin profit margins, cause significant stress, and can lead to payment platforms flagging or dropping businesses with high chargeback rates.
  • Calls for Action: Business owners and MPs are urging banks to improve protections and are raising the issue with regulators like the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA).
  • Limited Recourse: Police generally view this as a matter between banks and businesses, leaving owners with few avenues to recover lost money or goods.

新闻简报:中文

摘要

澳大利亚的小企业主正遭受欺诈性”退单”的严重侵害。网购者在收到商品后,通过银行虚假申诉交易纠纷并获得退款,导致商家钱货两空。这种”友好欺诈”随着电子商务的蓬勃发展而日益猖獗,商家呼吁银行和支付系统提供更好的保护。

关键点

  • 普遍问题:零售业小企业主因欺诈性退单损失数千澳元。顾客在收到并保留商品后,仍能成功通过银行撤销支付。
  • 证据无效:即使商家提供了订单确认、客户沟通和物流跟踪(如澳大利亚邮政证明)等证据,银行仍常常批准退单。
  • 系统压力:“非面对面”电子商务交易量即将超过店内交易,但相关的纠纷处理系统未能同步发展,使商家处于弱势。
  • 商业影响:损失直接侵蚀本已微薄的利润,给商家带来巨大压力,高退单率还可能导致支付平台对商家进行标记或终止服务。
  • 呼吁行动:企业主和议员正敦促银行加强保护措施,并向澳大利亚金融投诉管理局等监管机构反映问题。
  • 追索有限:警方通常将此视为银行与商家之间的事务,导致企业主难以追回损失的资金或货物。

Original Article Link: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-12-03/online-shopping-chargeback-fraud-costs-small-business/106022900

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