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THE TAG BLOG

The rise of fraudulent returns and how to prevent them

THINK WEAR AND RETURN, WARDROBING, SNAP AND SEND BACK AND COUNTERFEIT PRODUCT SWITCHES

FedEx predicted that e-commerce would rise from generating 50 to 100 million packages annually in the US by 2026. It got us thinking about the impact this rise will have on returns. If the National Retail Federation (NRF) reports that 30% of all online purchases are returned, this will total 33 million packages annually. More troubling, for those of us in e-commerce, is the statistic that 8% or 4.16 million of these returns are fraudulent.

The environmental impact alone will be staggering

Return tag prevent wear and return wardrobing 360 ID Tag

Preventing items sold online from going out for a night on the town and being returned. Shown here is the Classic Loop Pack - 22mm.

SO WHAT'S THE PROBLEM WITH RETURN FRAUD?

Concerning e-commerce, what happens to the 33 million expected returns during the 30-day, or sometimes 60-day return window (up to 4 months during holidays)? The item sold has traveled far and wide, possibly to another country, been in the hands of the buyer, sometimes for weeks, and then travels back to you.

How are we to know where the item has been during that time, what parties did it attend, or whose Instagram account it got posted to for an 'outfit of the day'?

These return fraud practices have become so common that they now have hashtags #snapandsendback #wearandreturn #wardrobing and have caught the eye of companies like ASOS who track social media accounts and ban serial returners.

Curtailing these increasingly brazen consumer behaviors involving fraudulent returns must be top of mind for those in the apparel business like I am on ebay. The anonymity of online shopping has emboldened consumers to behave, unlike in a retail store where face-to-face with a store associate puts a different perspective on deception.

Reminding me how easy wear and return or wardrobing can be was a safety pin attached to an item I purchased online. The sweater was supposedly new, hopefully unworn, but this little safety pin attached the label, so I can't be 100% sure. Take a look and be the judge! It is common for return fraud scammers to seek out safety pin tags because the original label is easy to reattach with no tampering evidence.

Safety pin tag easy to wear and return wardrobing 360 ID Tag

Serial returners seek out safety pin tags as they can easily put the label back on to return the item

SERIAL RETURNERS HAVE MANY TRICKS

Manufacturers add to this uncertainty by using these types of designer tags attached with pins or dainty ribbons looped around the item's label. Non-tamper evident tags are a dream come true for would-be return fraudsters or serial returners. Who would ever know if they wore the item or not, other than the perpetrator themselves... and maybe their Instagram followers?

Even items tagged with a traditional plastic barb aren’t safe from being worn and fraudulently returned. Abusing the returns honesty system can be done with a 1000 barb tagging gun kit purchased on Amazon for $4.69 plus $0.99 shipping. Retagging allows the dishonest buyer to repeatedly replace tags that have been cut off for just half a penny a time.

WHAT RETURN FRAUD STRATEGY TO EMPLOY INSTEAD

It took us accounting for all the scenarios of returns abuse to design the 360 ID Tag. We wanted to create a flexible system where the return tag material can be cut to length and secured with a tamper-evident security seal. Buyers also can't be armed with a supply of 360 ID Tags to replace the one cut off and falsely claim they did not wear it. The additional security feature of unique serial numbers on the seals stops this return fraud practice and allows you to cross-check what you sent out is what you receive back.

Clothing return tag prevent wear and return wardrobing 360 ID Tag

Clothing with the anti-return fraud 360 ID Tag can still be tried on for fit. Shown here is the Classic Loop Pack - 22mm.

Counterfeit product switches are just another aspect of fraudulent returns that are becoming easier to pull off, as was highlighted in a recent Marketplace investigation due to the proliferation of fakes on Amazon, AliExpress, eBay, Walmart, and Wish. By taking proactive steps against consumer abuse, sellers can control their merchandise because the only buyers backing away from secure return tags are scammers looking to commit fraud.

What of items that don't have traditional tags or are pre-owned and no longer have tags? Sneakers are an excellent example of a product that usually lacks visible tags and with the secondhand market for sneakers on the rise how can these types of products be protected against return fraud? Just by adding a simple, low-cost return tag, items no longer become a target for return fraud like wear and return or counterfeit product switches.

Sneaker tag. Sneaker return tag. Prevent return fraud like wear and return wardrobing, counterfeit product switches. 360 ID Tag

Preventing items sold online from being worn and returned. Shown here is the Compact Loop Pack - 10mm.

Want to talk return tags, have questions, or need some advice? Add a comment below, or send me a message at info@360idtag.com, and I’ll be happy to help you out.

CHELSEA DUHS - FOUNDER 360 ID TAG

Find the right 360 ID Tag pack for your business

We offer a variety of 360 ID Tag packs, with different combinations of return tag material and tamper-evident security seals. You can also create a custom combination to fit your specific needs. Browse our 360 ID Tag products and select the return fraud solution that best suits the types of products you sell online.

E-commerce return security tag on skirt. Prevent return fraud like wardrobing, wear and return, counterfeit product switches and tag switches. Add return tag to clothing, shoes, accessories to stop fraudulent returns. 360 ID Tag.
E-commerce return security tag on skirt. Prevent return fraud like wardrobing, wear and return, counterfeit product switches and tag switches. Add return tag to clothing, shoes, accessories to stop fraudulent returns. 360 ID Tag.
E-commerce return security tag on sweater. Prevent return fraud like wardrobing, wear and return, counterfeit product switches and tag switches. Add return tag to clothing, shoes, accessories to stop fraudulent returns. 360 ID Tag.
E-commerce return security tag. Prevent return fraud like wardrobing, wear and return, counterfeit product switches and tag switches. Add return tag to clothing, shoes, accessories to stop fraudulent returns. 360 ID Tag.
E-commerce return security tag on dress. Prevent return fraud like wardrobing, wear and return, counterfeit product switches and tag switches. Add return tag to clothing, shoes, accessories to stop fraudulent returns. 360 ID Tag.
360 ID Tag Design Benefits unique serial number tamper evident security seals 22mm
E-commerce return security tag tamper evident seal void on dress to prevent return fraud like wardrobing, wear and return, counterfeit product switches and tag switches. 360 ID Tag.
Return Fraud Tag Kit for General Apparel – 48 Seals

Return Fraud Tag Kit for General Apparel – 48 Seals

$28.95
Shoe security tag. Sneaker security tag. E-commerce return security tag. Prevent return fraud like wardrobing, wear and return, counterfeit product switches and tag switches. Add return tag to clothing, shoes, accessories to stop fraudulent returns. 360 ID Tag.
Shoe security tag. Sneaker security tag. E-commerce return security tag. Prevent return fraud like wardrobing, wear and return, counterfeit product switches and tag switches. Add return tag to clothing, shoes, accessories to stop fraudulent returns. 360 ID Tag.
Return Tag Kit for Jewelry, Shoes & Accessories 10mm – 200 Seals
E-commerce return security tag pack. Prevent return fraud like wardrobing, wear and return, counterfeit product switches and tag switches. Add return tag to clothing, shoes, accessories to stop fraudulent returns. 360 ID Tag.
360 ID Tag Design Benefits unique serial number tamper evident security seals 10mm
Eyewear security tag. Sunglasses security tag. E-commerce return security tag. Prevent return fraud like wardrobing, wear and return, counterfeit product switches and tag switches. Add return tag to clothing, shoes, accessories to stop fraudulent returns. 360 ID Tag.
Return Tag Kit for Jewelry, Shoes & Accessories 10mm – 200 Seals
E-commerce return security tag on jewelry. Prevent return fraud like wardrobing, wear and return, counterfeit product switches and tag switches. Add return tag to clothing, shoes, accessories to stop fraudulent returns. 360 ID Tag.
Return Tag Kit for Jewelry, Shoes & Accessories 10mm – 200 Seals
Ring with secure return tag attached to prevent wear and return fraud. 360 ID Tag
E-commerce return security tag on jewelry, watches. Prevent return fraud like wardrobing, wear and return, counterfeit product switches and tag switches. Stop fraudulent returns. 360 ID Tag.
Return Tag Kit for Jewelry, Shoes & Accessories 10mm – 200 Seals

Return Tag Kit for Jewelry, Shoes & Accessories 10mm – 200 Seals

$43.95
Handbag return tag. E-commerce return security tag. Prevent return fraud like wardrobing, wear and return, counterfeit product switches and tag switches. Add return tag to handbags, accessories to stop fraudulent returns. 360 ID Tag
Handbag return tag. E-commerce return security tag. Prevent return fraud like wardrobing, wear and return, counterfeit product switches and tag switches. Add return tag to handbags, accessories to stop fraudulent returns. 360 ID Tag
E-commerce return security tag through jacket button hole. Prevent return fraud like wardrobing, wear and return, counterfeit product switches and tag switches. Add return tag to clothing, shoes, accessories to stop fraudulent returns. 360 ID Tag.
E-commerce return security tag pack. Prevent return fraud like wardrobing, wear and return, counterfeit product switches and tag switches. Add return tag to clothing, shoes, accessories to stop fraudulent returns. 360 ID Tag.
360 ID Tag Design Benefits unique serial number tamper evident security seals 22mm
E-commerce return security tag on shoes. Prevent return fraud like wardrobing, wear and return, counterfeit product switches and tag switches. Add return tag to clothing, shoes, accessories to stop fraudulent returns. 360 ID Tag.
E-commerce return security tag on dress. Prevent return fraud like wardrobing, wear and return, counterfeit product switches and tag switches. Add return tag to clothing, shoes, accessories to stop fraudulent returns. 360 ID Tag.
Compact Return Tag Kit for Belts, Bags, Straps & Buttonholes – 192 Seals

Compact Return Tag Kit for Belts, Bags, Straps & Buttonholes – 192 Seals

$43.95
E-commerce return security tag on wedding dress. Prevent return fraud like wardrobing, wear and return, counterfeit product switches and tag switches. Add return tag to clothing, shoes, accessories to stop fraudulent returns. 360 ID Tag.
E-commerce return security tag on wedding dress. Prevent return fraud like wardrobing, wear and return, counterfeit product switches and tag switches. Add return tag to clothing, shoes, accessories to stop fraudulent returns. 360 ID Tag.
E-commerce return security tag on dress. Prevent return fraud like wardrobing, wear and return, counterfeit product switches and tag switches. Add return tag to clothing, shoes, accessories to stop fraudulent returns. 360 ID Tag.
E-commerce return security tag pack. Prevent return fraud like wardrobing, wear and return, counterfeit product switches and tag switches. Add return tag to clothing, shoes, accessories to stop fraudulent returns. 360 ID Tag.
360 ID Tag Design Benefits unique serial number tamper evident security seals 22mm
E-commerce return security tag on jeans. Prevent return fraud like wardrobing, wear and return, counterfeit product switches and tag switches. Add return tag to clothing, shoes, accessories to stop fraudulent returns. 360 ID Tag.
E-commerce return security tag tamper evident seal void on dress to prevent return fraud like wardrobing, wear and return, counterfeit product switches and tag switches. 360 ID Tag.
Return Tag Kit for Dresses, Coats & Formalwear – 48 Seals

Return Tag Kit for Dresses, Coats & Formalwear – 48 Seals

$43.95

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Tags:

360 ID TagClothing return tagDressLoss PreventionReturn FraudReturn TagReturnsReverse logisticsSecurity TagSnap and send backWardrobingWear and Return

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