Fraud is growing faster than revenue in eCommerce, according to a new report by PwC and Forter . The report, titled "Futureproofing eCommerce fraud prevention in 2025: From supply chain to checkout," identifies the biggest fraud trends in 2025 and serves as a wake-up call for online retailers .
Online retailers face a mix of challenges, including economic ups and downs, political uncertainty, increased cyber threats, and new fraud rules kicking in on September 1st . The report highlights that fraud teams need to prepare for factors they can't always control . Financial pressure is causing more people and businesses to take risks, while political shifts are leading some companies to cut fraud prevention budgets . Remote work and supply chain vulnerabilities are also increasing cyber risks .
Some of the biggest fraud trends highlighted in the report include:
Remote access attacks: Forter recorded an 8% increase in remote access attacks during the 2024 Black Friday/Cyber Monday period compared to 2023 .Card testing: Fraudsters try to determine whether stolen card information is valid so that they can use it to make purchases . This attack fraud type predominately affects low-value transactions and is commonly seen in crowdfunding or charitable sectors, digital goods, food delivery services and subscription services .Fraud attacks on Quick Service Restaurants (QSRs): Attacks on QSR platforms surged by 45% from 2023 to 2024 . Over 85% of fraud attempts on QSR sites involve returning fraudsters .Loyalty points fraud: This occurs when individuals exploit loyalty programmes, either stealing points, manipulating transactions, or creating fake accounts to redeem rewards . Accounts involved in loyalty programs face 4-5 times higher rates of attacks compared to regular accounts, and those holding stored value or points are 6-7 times more vulnerable to fraud .Fake accounts: This involves the creation and use of fraudulent accounts on platforms such as social media, financial institutions, e-commerce sites, and other online services, with the intent to commit fraud . Forter's data indicates that 90% of fake accounts on digital commerce platforms are often created by a small subset of disciplined fraud users .The report also highlights supply chain fraud risks, including kickbacks and bribes during procurement, counterfeit goods from suppliers, and theft during shipping . In inventory, fraud shows up as stock manipulation or phantom inventory that appears in records but isn't actually there . On the finance side, issues like duplicate payments, fake invoices, or diverted payments are also common . Cyber threats tied to the supply chain are another concern .
Doriel Abrahams, Principal Technologist at Forter, said that these fraudulent activities are rife and growing in retail . Furthermore, she emphasized that it is essential for eCommerce fraud leaders to maintain a holistic perspective, understanding the underlying drivers of fraud risk, as well as meeting new compliance needs and the current external threat trends .
The PwC and Forter report provides valuable insights for online retailers, helping them understand emerging fraud trends and develop effective prevention strategies .