Theme: Online Fraud and Hijacking
Issue 63, October 15, 2002
Dear friends,
The holiday season is in full swing, but e-commerce has become more dangerous
for online merchants. This issues focuses on two concerns -- credit card fraud
and paying unearned affiliate commissions. We're all vulnerable, but armed with
knowledge, we're better able to protect ourselves.
Late next week I hope to have the October links ready for you to keep you
up-to-date with the rapidly changing shape of e-commerce.
We had our first frost in California's foothills this week. I hope you're
enjoying the changing of the seasons where you are.
God bless you,
Ralph F. Wilson
A Case Study in Order Fraud Detection
Recently, I detected a fraudulent order in my online store. This case study describes why the order caught my attention, and how I was able to detect that it was bogus. This article will provide some learning steps for newer merchants, and perhaps save you hundreds of dollars in lost merchandise and chargeback fees. Read the Case Study
What Merchants Should Do about Affiliate Commission Hijacking
Affiliate commission hijacking hurts affiliates, of course. But what effect
does it have on merchants who have carefully built affiliate networks to bring
in new business? This article discusses affiliate commission hijacking from a
merchant's point of view with five action recommendations designed to protect
your business both today and six months from now. A preliminary article with
background detail appeared Web Marketing Today, "Affiliate
Commission Hijacking," 10/9/02
(www.wilsonweb.com/wmt7/affil_hijack.htm). The present article focuses on
merchants builds on the conclusions of the former article. Read the Article
New Ecommerce and Web Marketing Articles
Each month our team of link editors scours dozens of online periodicals and resources to find
key information on e-commerce and Web marketing. With so much new literature
available to you, how do you find what you need quickly and painlessly? Here's a selective and searchable database of article and resource links to help your
research and keep you up-to-date in the field. (Links gathered in a given month are usually available during the second week of the following
month.)
Recently, I detected a fraudulent order in my online store. This case study describes why the order caught my attention, and how I was able to detect that it was bogus. This article will provide some learning steps for newer merchants, and perhaps save you hundreds of dollars in lost merchandise and chargeback fees. 
