High Risk Payment Methods are those that carry a higher level of risk associated with them. These include cash, check, prepaid cards, gift cards, and other forms of electronic payments.
HRPMs are often considered risky because they are less secure than other types of payment methods.
High Risk Payments are becoming more and more common due to the rise of online shopping.
The main reason why fraudsters tend to use high risk payment methods as their fraud of choice is that besides being relatively easy to do, they also offer anonymity. This makes it easier for criminals to commit fraud without being detected.
If you’re a business owner (or planning on using an online store), it’s important that you are well aware of what a high risk payment is, how to avoid them, and what steps you need to take if you do fall victim to one – and this is where we come in to lend a helping hand!
In this article, we are going to be taking a closer look at what a high risk payment is, as this will help you to spot them more easily.
In addition to this, we are also going to be providing you with some guidance on how you can protect your business from high risk payment fraud, as well as what to do in the event that it happens.
Whenever you’re ready, let’s begin!
What Are High Risk Payments Methods For Businesses?
High Risk Payments are any form of payment that has been deemed to have a higher degree of risk associated with it. This means that there is a greater chance that someone could attempt to steal money or goods through these transactions.
The main reasons why businesses choose to use high-risk payment options are because they are relatively easy to make and execute, and they offer anonymity. Using these payment methods allows criminals to commit fraud without getting caught.
How Do I Protect Myself From High Risk Payment Fraud?
There are several things that you can do to minimize the chances of becoming a victim of fraud. Some of these tips include:
Know Your Customer
If you have a stone and mortar store, ask your customers what type of payment method they prefer. Then, make sure that you understand how each payment method works so that you can properly identify suspicious transactions.
Keep Good Records
Make sure that you keep good records of all transactions. This includes keeping track of the date, time, amount, and name of every customer. It also includes keeping copies of any documents sent by customers.
Be Vigilant
Once you’ve identified a transaction that seems strange, contact the company immediately. Tell them about the situation and ask them to send you an explanation. Don’t just assume that everything is fine.
Use A Third Party Service
If you want to ensure that your business doesn’t become a target for fraud, consider signing up for a third-party service. Many services exist which will help you monitor your accounts on a regular basis. They’ll alert you when something unusual happens.
Report Suspicious Activity Immediately
If you suspect that you have been a victim of fraud, report it to the appropriate authorities. In many cases, victims of fraud will receive restitution through the court system.
Stay Alert
Even though you may feel confident in your ability to spot fraudulent activity, there is no guarantee that you won’t fall prey to it. So, continue to stay vigilant and make the necessary checks across both online and in-person payment transactions.
Get Help
Finally, if you’re still unsure of how to handle certain situations, seek professional advice. There are many resources available to assist you with this task.
What Are Some Common Scams Using High Risk Payment Methods?
High risk payment methods can be used by criminals to commit a variety of scams. These scams range from simple identity theft to more complex schemes involving money laundering. Here are some common scams that use high risk payment methods:
Identity Theft
Criminals often use stolen credit card information to purchase merchandise or transfer funds. The criminal then sells the merchandise or transfers the funds to another location.
Money Laundering
Criminals sometimes attempt to launder illegal proceeds through legitimate businesses. For example, they might open a bank account under a false name and deposit ill-gotten gains into the account.
Phishing
Criminals use email to lure unsuspecting individuals into revealing personal information such as passwords and PINs. The criminal then uses that information to access their financial accounts.
How Do You Report A Scam?
If you believe that you have been the victim of a scam, here’s how to report it:
First, call the institution where you think the crime took place. Explain the problem and ask them to cancel the transaction. Then, contact the police department in your area. Next, file a complaint with your state attorney general.
Most states offer a website where you can do so. Finally, contact the FTC. This organization oversees consumer protection laws at the federal level. From there, you can find out what steps need to be taken to recover your losses.
Final Thoughts
All in all, the best way to avoid becoming a victim of fraud is to remain vigilant by following the guidance that we have provided you with above.
Make sure that you know who you’re doing business with and that you conduct all transactions correctly to ensure you are best protecting your business against fraud.
In the instance that you feel a high risk payment method is fraudulent, you should cancel the transaction and immediately seek professional assistance to recover any potential losses.
We hope that the information in this guide has given you better insight into what a high risk payment is. Why not pin this article for future reference? Thanks for reading!
Paul Martinez is the founder of EcomSidekick.com. He is an expert in the areas of finance, real estate, eCommerce, traffic and conversion.
Join him on EcomSidekick.com to learn how to improve your financial life and excel in these areas. Before starting this media site, Paul built from scratch and managed two multi-million dollar companies. One in the real estate sector and one in the eCommerce sector.