Secure Payment Practices
Use secure payment methods and avoid high-risk payment types for business transactions.
Always use trusted payment systems with built-in fraud protection.
Avoid high-risk payment methods like wire transfers, gift cards, or peer-to-peer apps for business transactions.
Handling Large or Suspicious Orders
Verify unusually large or rushed orders by:
Calling the customer directly using a verified phone number.
Confirming order details, pricing, and delivery expectations.
Watching for red flags:
Pressure to process payment immediately.
Mismatched billing/shipping addresses.
Requests to split payments across multiple cards.
Common Scams to Watch For
Watch for these common scams that target flooring businesses.
"Pickup & Chargeback" Scam – Customer pays online, demands immediate pickup, then disputes the charge.
Overpayment Scam – Buyer sends extra money and asks for a partial refund.
Phishing/Fake Invoices – Fraudster impersonates a vendor/customer to redirect payments.
Order Verification & Documentation
Document and verify orders so you're prepared if a charge is disputed.
Send detailed receipts (email/SMS) with itemized costs.
Follow up on high-value orders to confirm legitimacy.
Request additional verification if needed (ID, business license, utility bill).
Clear Refund & Dispute Policies
Set clear refund and dispute policies up front to reduce chargeback risk.
Disclose policies upfront (e.g., "No refunds on custom orders").
Keep thorough records (order confirmations, shipping proof, customer communications) to fight chargebacks.
Employee Training
Train employees to recognize and report fraud attempts.
Train staff to recognize scams (phishing, fake checks, social engineering).
Encourage reporting of suspicious requests (urgency, odd payment methods).
If Something Feels "Off"
If a transaction feels suspicious, pause and investigate before proceeding.
Pause the transaction and investigate further.
Contact the customer through a verified channel.
What you can do now: The best-available protection against fraud and chargebacks is following the tips in this article — especially verifying large or unusual orders before fulfilling them. For a detailed breakdown of one of the most common scams affecting flooring businesses, see The Cash & Carry Scam.
Stay Protected & Reduce Losses
Proactive fraud prevention saves time, money, and reputation. For assistance, contact our Payment Security Team at [email protected].