Kenya faces 9.5% surge in digital shopping fraud during Black Friday

A recent data release from TransUnion has brought attention to a worrisome trend in digital shopping fraud during the Black Friday sales period, spanning from November 23 to November 27, 2023. The data reveals a significant 9.5% increase in fraudulent activities, sounding alarms about the susceptibility of online transactions to deceptive practices.

TransUnion’s findings highlight that, notably, 10.3% of transactions originating from Kenya during the Black Friday shopping spree were potentially fraudulent. This percentage represents an increase compared to the 9.3% fraud rate observed throughout the rest of the year. Despite a 2.8% decrease in fraud cases leading up to Black Friday, the holiday season experienced a surge in fraudulent digital activities.

Steve Yin, the global head of fraud at TransUnion, pointed out how the festive shopping season becomes a magnet for fraudsters, who seize the opportunity to exploit heightened consumer activity for illicit financial gains.

During this period, key indicators for potential fraud attempts included unusual transaction volumes from single Internet Protocol (IP) addresses or devices within a short timeframe, signaling potential fraudulent activities. This pattern underscores the necessity for robust fraud detection measures and heightened vigilance by both consumers and retailers.

Morris Maina, CEO at TransUnion Kenya, emphasized that retailers may adjust their authorization models during holiday seasons to streamline transactions and prevent consumer disengagement. However, this relaxation in controls could inadvertently create opportunities for criminal organizations seeking to exploit the period’s vulnerability.

Criminal entities often use guest checkout options to conduct transactions using stolen payment cards obtained from the dark web or prior data breaches. This presents significant challenges for retailers, who may encounter increased chargebacks, returns, and customer disputes, leading to potential financial losses.

The data’s insights underscore the importance of deploying comprehensive fraud prevention solutions that verify customer identity and authenticity at the outset of transactions. Maina emphasized that equipping retailers with tools to detect and prevent fraudulent transactions throughout the year remains a critical priority.

As the holiday season, particularly Black Friday and the subsequent shopping spree, continues to be a pinnacle period for retailers and consumers alike, safeguarding against fraudulent activities remains an ongoing and vital concern. Implementing stringent fraud prevention strategies remains imperative to protect both businesses and consumers from the detrimental impact of digital shopping fraud.