Contrary to some opinions, online credit fraud is rampant and cost merchants hundreds of thousands of dollars every day. So how can you prevent fraud without impeding legitimate sales? Our online fraud detection tool verifies the users identity and address instantly and seamlessly for only pennies per search.

Now you can screen transactions automatically and pay attention only to those transactions that are flagged as potentially fraudulent. With this service, your business will save time and money, increase productivity, and maintain a high security guard against fraud.

Key benefits of our Instant ID validation include:

• Verifies clients identity

• Verifies clients address

• Verifies phone number matches geographical address

• Patriot Act compliant - OFAC

• Verifies SSN issuance and validity

• Verifies Date of birth matches name

• Searches for mail drop addresses used in fraud schemes

• Checks if customer is reported deceased

• Detects ITIN's frequently misrepresented as SSN's

• Verifies order is emanating from clients geographical location

• Second tier security question validation

• Checks IP for anonymous proxy indicating a possible attempt to disguise users true location

• Customizable to your unique needs

Free tips to reduce and prevent internet credit card fraud:

New and small businesses are particularly vulnerable to online fraud often due to a lack of sophisticated systems or expertise to aide in detection. But everyone with a merchant account experiences fraud to varying degrees. All too often, businesses learn through experience that internet commerce must be managed and monitored to reduce potential fraud and associated losses. Common denominators found in many fraudulent online purchases often include:

1. Free (anonymous) email address

2. Invalid phone number or cell phone listed

3. Shipping address differs from credit card address

4. IP address does not match clients address or is proxy

5. CVV2 code not present or is mismatch

Common types of internet fraud:

Typically, merchants will experience two types of internet credit card fraud: This includes orders by the true cardholder, who later claims not to have ordered or downloaded the product, and outright fraud by those using stolen identity information and credit card numbers.

If your business offers instant products or services online, you will likely be more prone to claims the product was not ordered or received, when in fact it was.

To reduce your losses, we recommend:

1. Gathering and displaying the customers IP address on your order page

2. Adding personal, non-intrusive, and partial identity information on the receipt page that shows the customers ID information has been verified. For example, using Acutell ID validation, you could display:

Thank you, we sincerely appreciate your purchase and protect you from unauthorized charges by verifying your IP address: 65.185.43.245 (Columbus, Ohio) and your name as John Doe (DOB 09/1959 or age 46).

Who loses when a fraudulent online purchase is successful?

You do. The simple fact is that most credit companies carry little risk, as they reverse the funds of a reported fraudulent purchases from the merchant and can even fine you for the occurrence as a "chargeback fee." Excessive chargeback's can even result in cancellation of your merchant account, so it is important to reduce and prevent fraud to the greatest extent possible.

We hope this information was helpful. U.S. Info Search helps manage risk and fight fraud by providing quality data to Business, Government and Legal Industry Professionals delivering the information you need when you need it, and always at the very best rates possible. Please contact us if we can assist you in your fraud detection and prevention efforts.

The total revenue loss from internet fraud between January and June 2002 was estimated at $7,209,196. The average loss was $484 and the Top 10 Frauds schemes include:

The National Fraud Information Center (NFIC) was originally established in 1992 by the National Consumers League, the oldest nonprofit consumer organization in the United States, to fight the growing menace of telemarketing fraud by improving prevention and enforcement. Consumers can call the NFIC hot line toll-free at 1-800-876-7060 or e-mail via their website.