Purchasing products and services with a credit card is incredibly common in the United States.
According to a 2017 study published by the Federal Reserve, total card payments grew from 103.5 billion in 2015 to 111.1 billion in 2016, an increase of 7.6 billion transactions. [1] United States Federal Reserve System. “The Federal Reserve Payments Study: 2017 Annual Supplement.” August 13, 2025.
With that many transactions every year, the possibility of credit card fraud can be high as well.
As credit card processing becomes more accessible and companies shift to online sales, some small businesses are transitioning from cash-only establishments to ones that accept credit cards.
As a small business owner who handles transactions with customers every day, it is your responsibility to look for signs of credit card fraud.
Below, we dissect tangible ways to protect your small business from credit card fraud.
Key Takeaways:
- If you accept credit cards in person, always watch for unusual customer behavior.
- If something seems off, one of the easiest ways to minimize in-person credit card fraud is to ask to see an ID, like a driver’s license.
- Payment Card Industry standards instruct how to securely accept, transmit, and store cardholder data.
3 Ways To Stop In-Person Credit Card Fraud
If your small business accepts credit cards, here are three ways to prevent in-person credit card fraud.
1. Watch for unusual customer behavior
If you accept credit cards in person, observe the behavior of your customers. Look for consumers who:
- Seems nervous or rushed to complete the transaction.
- Look at the signature on the back of the credit card while they sign the receipt.
- Purchase an unusual quantity of expensive items.
These behaviors aren’t always indicators of credit card fraud, but they are common warning signs. If a customer seems suspicious, trust your instincts.
2. Ask to see identification
If something seems off, one of the easiest ways to minimize in-person credit card fraud is to ask to see an ID, like a driver’s license.
This lets you compare the name on the ID to the name on the credit card.
It also gives you the opportunity to compare the signature on the ID to the signature on the credit card.
Most consumers won’t think twice if you politely ask, “May I see your ID?”
The customer’s response, including their nonverbal communication, may give you additional insight.
3. Follow Payment Card Industry (PCI) security standards
According to the Security Standards Council, “The best way to maximize security of cardholder data is to continuously monitor and enforce the use of controls specified in the PCI Data Security Standard (DSS).”
PCI standards instruct how to securely accept, transmit, and store cardholder data.
One PCI DSS standard is to use and regularly update anti-virus software. Another simple requirement is to use strong passwords.
There are a lot of benefits to offering credit card processing options to your customers.
At the same time, you want to protect your small business from credit card fraud.
The bottom line: Study the warning signs, ask to see an ID if you feel suspicious, and always ensure that your payment processing system is PCI Certified.
Choose Kurv For Safe and Secure Credit Card Processing Systems
Now that you know what to look for to identify in-person credit card fraud, take a step further and protect your customers from credit card fraud and stolen personal information.
At Kurv, we understand that when you are looking to invest in payment processing systems for a small business, you want to be confident that your customers’ transactions and personal information are safeguarded.
Ready to look into investing in a Kurv credit card processing system? Contact one of our Account Executives by clicking the button below!
