Key Takeaways
- Fraud fell in 2025, yet 98 percent of high‑risk e‑commerce sellers still suffered at least one attack—constant vigilance is essential.
- Biggest dangers right now: real‑time‑payment scams, refund /policy abuse, phishing, first‑party misuse, and card‑testing schemes.
- Merchants that blend AI screening (56 percent use it) with delivery and transaction proof win about 90 percent of disputes and blunt refund abuse.
Table of Contents
As a high-risk merchant, staying ahead of fraud trends is of utmost importance to protect your business and maintain customer trust. The recently released 2025 Global eCommerce Payments & Fraud Report by Visa Acceptance Solutions, Verifi, and the Merchant Risk Council (MRC) sheds light on the evolving landscape of eCommerce fraud and payment security. Based on a survey of over 1,000 merchants across 38 countries, this report offers valuable insights for businesses like yours. At Durango Merchant Services, we’ve analyzed the findings to help you navigate these challenges and secure your operations in 2025.
Here’s a breakdown of the key trends, their impact on high-risk merchants, and how you can stay protected.
Key Findings from the 2025 Visa Fraud Report
The 2025 report reveals both encouraging and concerning trends in eCommerce fraud. Here are the highlights:
1. Fraud Rates Are Declining, But Threats Remain
After years of rising fraud, 2025 marks a turning point with overall fraud rates dropping. Specifically, schemes like first-party misuse (when customers game the system to claim refunds), card testing, and triangulation fraud have seen significant declines. However, 98% of merchants still faced at least one type of fraud in the past year, showing that vigilance is still essential.
2. Top Fraud Threats for 2025
The report identifies five major fraud types impacting merchants:
- Real-time payment (RTP) fraud: As RTP adoption grows (37% of merchants now accept it), so does fraud risk.
- Refund/policy abuse: Over 57% of merchants report rising abuse, often from false claims like “goods not received.”
- Phishing attacks, first-party misuse, and card testing: Each affects one-third to half of merchants globally.
High-risk merchants, often operating in industries like online retail or gaming, are particularly vulnerable to these threats.
3. AI and Technology Are Game-Changers
Merchants are increasingly turning to artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) to combat fraud. Over 56% now use generative AI tools, up from 42% in 2024, with plans for further adoption in 2025. These tools help detect patterns and prevent fraud more effectively than manual screening.
4. Regional Differences Matter
Merchants in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region report lower fraud rates compared to North and Latin America. This may be due to stronger monitoring at pre-purchase and delivery stages. Understanding regional trends can help you tailor your fraud prevention strategies.
4. MRC Members Lead in Fraud Prevention
MRC members, typically larger enterprises, experience more fraud attacks but report better outcomes, including lower fraud rates, fewer rejected orders, and higher dispute win rates. This highlights the value of advanced tools and industry collaboration.
Why These Trends Matter for High-Risk Merchants
High-risk merchants face unique challenges due to their industries’ exposure to fraud. The rise of RTP fraud, for example, is a growing concern as customers demand faster payment options. Refund and policy abuse, driven by false claims or returns of used items, can erode profits, especially for businesses with high transaction volumes. Additionally, the increasing complexity of fraud schemes, like phishing and card testing, requires sophisticated defenses that go beyond basic security measures.
The good news? The report shows that proactive strategies, like adopting AI-driven tools and leveraging compelling evidence to fight disputes, can significantly reduce losses. For high-risk merchants, partnering with a payment processor experienced in fraud prevention is crucial to staying ahead.
3 Actionable Tips to Protect Your Business in 2025
Based on the report’s insights, here are three practical steps you can take to safeguard your high-risk business:
- Embrace AI and ML Tools With over half of merchants using generative AI for fraud detection, now is the time to invest in advanced technology. These tools analyze vast datasets to spot suspicious patterns, reducing false positives (when legitimate customers are flagged as fraudulent) and improving efficiency. Ask your payment processor about AI-powered fraud prevention solutions.
- Strengthen Refund and Dispute Processes Refund abuse is on the rise, with 22% of merchants reporting increases of 50% or more. Use compelling evidence—such as detailed transaction data or delivery confirmations—to challenge fraudulent disputes. Nearly 90% of merchants now rely on this tactic, up from 83% last year, to block illegitimate claims.
- Monitor Fraud Across the Customer Journey While most merchants screen for fraud at checkout or during refunds, only a minority monitor pre-purchase or delivery stages. Expanding monitoring to these areas, as APAC merchants do, can catch fraud early. Work with a provider that offers comprehensive fraud management across all touchpoints.
How Durango Merchant Services Can Help
At Durango Merchant Services, we specialize in supporting high-risk merchants with tailored payment processing and fraud prevention solutions. As a leader in the industry, we understand the challenges you face and offer tools to address them, including:
- Advanced Fraud Detection: Our systems leverage AI and ML to identify and prevent fraud in real time, minimizing losses and false positives.
- Dispute Management Support: We help you compile compelling evidence to fight fraudulent chargebacks and refund abuse, protecting your revenue.
- Flexible Payment Options: From RTP to digital wallets, we ensure you can offer the payment methods your customers want while maintaining security.
With our expertise, you can focus on growing your business while we handle the complexities of fraud and payments.
Stay Ahead of Fraud in 2025
The 2025 Global eCommerce Payments & Fraud Report underscores the importance of staying proactive in the fight against fraud. By understanding the latest trends and adopting the right tools, high-risk merchants can protect their businesses and delight their customers. At Durango Merchant Services, we’re here to help you navigate these challenges with confidence.
Ready to secure your eCommerce operations? Contact Durango Merchant Services today for a free consultation and discover how our solutions can keep you ahead of fraud in 2025.
