Flowers and Gift Delivery to Dubai Sharjah and Ajman
You receive an order; you are excited to pack and deliver it! But wait, does that order look suspicious to you? Is there something fishy; maybe the address, payment screenshot, over payment, or huge orders don’t seem right.If an order looks unreal to you, there is a chance that your intuition may be telling something. In such cases, pausing the order process and verifying the customer details first is crucial. Even one fake order can start affecting your flower business due to loss of inventory or wasted labour.
Even if you have sent the bouquets for delivery, you can protect the driver with live tracking and continuous communication. Perform a strict verification process to make sure that the customer is genuine and they haven’t sent you a fake payment screenshot. By watching out for red flags and taking the correct actionable steps, you can help other florists and build a safe flower delivery industry.
If you can identify the early signs of fraud, you can save yourself from wasted stock, money, time, and effort. Here are some of the most common methods scammers use, shared so that you can be attentive:
Sending Fake Payment Screenshots
Individuals might send you a payment screenshot, proving that they have in fact completed the transaction. That screenshot can be fabricated but will look so real that you wouldn’t be able to differentiate if you don’t pay proper attention.
Making Fake Bank Transfer Claims
The customer will quarrel and put allegations on you, saying that they did a bank transfer and have the proof. However, when you ask, they might either fumble or send across a payment screenshot that is not original.
Trying Unauthorized Card Payments
Some customers use stolen credit cards to purchase products online. The details might look different from their information, indicating that something is wrong.
Placing Fake Cash-on-Delivery Orders
It is common among online buyers to place a COD order and then reject it at the doorstep. They generally do it to sabotage an online business. In some cases, customers place an order impulsively, not realizing how heavily it costs the seller.
Ordering From Suspicious Numbers
If you are receiving an order from a number that reads like spam, it is better to cross check the details before you process.
Making Unusually Urgent Delivery Requests
Many customers using stolen credit card details make urgent delivery requests to get the product before they get caught. Watch out for those requests that look like a regular order but feel unusual.
Providing Fake Customer Information
Online florists accept remote orders and depend completely on the information for delivery. But when customers send across fake recipient details, it might mean they have used stolen payment sources or want to receive products without revealing their information.
Requests to Use a Third-Party Payment
Is your customer trying to move out of your usual payment process? If yes, that means there is something wrong. This payment method might include stolen money or a fraudulent bank account.
Over payment and Refund Requests
Your customers might pay and then claim that they have excess payment money. They will send across consistent refund requests, putting allegations that you have stolen from them. However, it is just a method to extort money and get free flowers.
“Pay My Driver” Requests
A customer might send a driver, asking you to pay the transportation fee and add it to their bill. However, when you fulfill your order, they might send you a fake payment screenshot or simply vanish.
Orders Involving Unusual Cash Requests
If your customer asks you to pay cash to the delivery person on their behalf or withdraw the payment to make it a COD order, don’t trust them. There is a significantly high chance that you are being scammed.
Suspicious Corporate Orders
You have received an unusual bulk order for a corporate event. However, the payment timeline or method seems wrong. Trust your instincts and check the information first so you don’t regret it later.
Fake Wedding and Event Orders
How can you know that you are receiving fake orders for a wedding or a special event? The event details are not specific, the customer is unbothered about such an important order, or they are asking you to take the payment from a driver or vendors upon delivery.
WhatsApp Impersonation
Do you also book flower orders on WhatsApp? Beware, as it is one of the most common platforms for scammers. They might impersonate someone but send an order that looks real. They are likely to either cancel the order upon delivery or use stolen card information.
There are so many ways a customer can place a fake order and put your business in significant losses. Since this problem is growing at a rapid speed, take the following measures to save yourself:
Confirm the payment details before accepting the order. Verify the screenshot and cross-check the card information to ensure you are not a prey of a scammer.
Before processing the order, verify each and every detail provided by the customer. Is the address correct? Does the name match the card information? Is there any uncanny request? In such cases, trust your instincts. It is better to loose one order than get scammed.
Before you process an order, cross-check each and every information. The customer name, phone number, address details, and payment method should not be fishy. You can show the bouquet out of stock Even if you have a slightest of doubt.
If you have received a bulk order but are unsure if it isn’t a scam, look for the obvious signs. Is the customer information correct; are there any unusual requests; is the customer unbothered about the delivery?
Maintaining a strict record of every order creates a clear source of information that can be checked until order fulfillment. You can save yourself from fake payment claims and resolve disputes if you are maintaining a record.
