Chargebacks: what they are and how to reduce them

A chargeback is a forced reversal of a card payment, initiated by the cardholder's bank. You can lose the revenue, the product and pay a fee on top — so prevention pays.

Common causes

• Genuine fraud — a stolen card.
• "Friendly" fraud — a real customer disputes a charge they don't recognise.
• Service issues — late delivery, wrong item, or an unclear return policy.

Practical steps

• Use 3-D Secure / SCA so the bank verifies the shopper — it shifts liability and cuts fraud.
• Make your billing descriptor recognisable, so charges aren't disputed by mistake.
• Keep clear policies and proactive shipping updates to head off disputes.

Built-in help

CIQRA Pay handles 3DS/SCA, and refunds and fee reversals are first-class — so resolving issues doesn't mean fighting your tools. See CIQRA Pay.