Counterfeit Detection In Retail

Welcome to 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐚𝐲𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐀𝐜𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐦𝐲 by Checkout.com — Episode 6 👋 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐓𝐲𝐩𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐅𝐫𝐚𝐮𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝐏𝐚𝐲𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬: ► Fraud in payments is a growing challenge for merchants, issuers, and payment processors. Fraudulent transactions not only cause financial losses but also damage a merchant’s reputation ► To combat fraud effectively, businesses must leverage fraud detection tools, authentication techniques, and dispute management strategies to stay ahead of bad actors while maintaining a seamless customer experience — 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐓𝐲𝐩𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐅𝐫𝐚𝐮𝐝 & 𝐄𝐱𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐬 ► 3-𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐲 𝐅𝐫𝐚𝐮𝐝 – This occurs when a fraudster uses stolen card details to make purchases. ► 𝐅𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐥𝐲 𝐅𝐫𝐚𝐮𝐝 – A cardholder disputes a legitimate transaction, either by mistake or to reverse a purchase. ► 𝐆𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐅𝐚𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐏𝐚𝐲𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐩𝐮𝐭𝐞𝐬 – The customer disputes a payment due to issues with product quality or fulfillment. Fraud prevention strategies must be tailored to identify, assess, and respond to these types of fraud in real time. — 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬: 𝐂𝐮𝐭𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐃𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐨𝐧 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐅𝐫𝐚𝐮𝐝 1️⃣ 𝐅𝐫𝐚𝐮𝐝 𝐃𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐄𝐧𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬 – These tools analyze transaction data (e.g., IP addresses, device data...) to assess fraud risks. 2️⃣ 3𝐃 𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 – Adds an extra layer of protection by requiring customer verification for high-risk transactions. 3️⃣ 𝐌𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 & 𝐀𝐈 – Predicts fraud patterns based on historical transactions and behavioral analytics. 4️⃣ 𝐓𝐨𝐤𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐳𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 – Converts sensitive payment data into tokens, reducing the risk of stolen card details being misused. 5️⃣ 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 – Strategies like real-time alerts and clear billing descriptors — 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐚: 𝐊𝐞𝐲 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐚 𝐏𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐑𝐞𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐞 𝐅𝐫𝐚𝐮𝐝 Fraud detection relies on rich transaction data to identify suspicious activity and block fraudulent payments: ► Customer Name – Verifies the cardholder’s identity and checks for patterns of fraudulent behavior (e.g., fake names...). ► IP Address – Flags transactions from high-risk regions or locations inconsistent with the customer’s normal behavior. ► Billing Address – Used for Address Verification System (AVS) checks to confirm that the billing address matches the cardholder’s bank records. ► Delivery Address – Helps detect fraudulent transactions by assessing mismatched shipping details. ► Email Address – Identifies fraud patterns, such as disposable email addresses or emails associated with prior chargebacks. Providing complete and accurate data in payment requests enhances fraud detection and reduces false declines, improving both security and conversion rates. —— Source: Checkout.com x Connecting the dots in payments... ► Sign up to 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐚𝐲𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐁𝐫𝐞𝐰𝐬 : https://lnkd.in/g5cDhnjC ► Connecting the dots in payments... and Marcel van Oost

Whether you are creating performance creatives or creatives for an ATL campaign, while writing briefs you must always understand the current awareness state of your consumers At any point of time, a potential consumer who is in-market for your category can be classified under one of the following -         Not Problem Aware -         Problem Aware -         Solution Aware And each of these will warrant a different creative If you have a truly innovative product and trying to solve a problem which most people aren’t even aware of, most of the time will have to go in making people aware of the problem and then link your solution to the problem If most of your potential consumers are problem aware but don’t know what the solution is, you have to start a bit with the problem and then introduce your brand/product as the solution. For new innovations, the best place to start is if a good chunk of the consumers are already problem aware If there are already existing solutions in the market and most of your potential consumers are already solution aware, your focus must be on highlighting why your solution is better than everything else in the market. It might mean lot of product comparisons and answering all potential barriers to purchase When we started selling BLDC fans in 2015, most people were problem aware. High electricity bills was a problem. The inconvenience of getting up to change speeds was a problem. But they didn’t know that BLDC fans could solve it. So, a lot of our focus was around highlighting that BLDC fans save electricity and bring a lot of convenience with remotes But over the last 3-4 years, more than 10 brands entered the category. And all of them were also heavily advertising. By now, a good chunk of people were solution aware and knew that BLDC fans can solve their problems of high electricity bills. And so a lot of our digital communication moved to highlight how our BLDC fans were better, and also on things which are over and above just energy efficiency. We started highlighting our smart features, innovative designs etc. as plain vanilla BLDC was now a commodity This is a very simple yet strong framework that can guide communication strategy for brands and products of all sizes

SUPPLIER QUALITY AUDIT CHECKLIST: 1.Quality Management System 1.Verify if the supplier is certified to ISO 9001 or IATF 16949. 2.Check for the presence of a documented Quality Policy and measurable objectives. 3.Confirm that roles, responsibilities, and authorities are clearly defined. 4.Ensure quality manuals and procedures are up-to-date and controlled. 2.Incoming Material Control 1.Review procedures for inspecting incoming materials. 2.Check whether Certificates of Conformance (CoC) or test reports are verified. 3.Confirm that non-conforming incoming materials are recorded and managed appropriately. 3.Process Control 1.Verify that work instructions are available and followed at each workstation. 2.Identify whether critical processes are controlled with defined parameters. 3.Check if in-process inspection is conducted systematically. 4.Look for the use of Statistical Process Control (SPC) tools like control charts or histograms for key operations. 4.Final Inspection and Testing 1.Ensure there is a procedure for final product inspection and testing. 2.Confirm that inspection records are maintained. 3.Check if outgoing products are verified against customer requirements. 4.Verify traceability systems for finished goods. 5.Equipment Calibration and Maintenance 1.Review the calibration schedule for measuring instruments. 2.Check if all gauges and instruments are calibrated with valid certificates. 3.Ensure preventive maintenance plans are in place and followed. 6.Non-Conformance and Corrective Action 1.Examine how internal and customer-related non-conformances are handled. 2.Check if root cause analysis methods like 5Why or Fishbone diagrams are used. 3.Ensure corrective and preventive actions are tracked to closure with effectiveness verification. 7.Document and Record Control 1.Confirm that records are retained as per defined retention policies. 2.Check whether document revisions are controlled and updated systematically. 8.Supplier/Sub-supplier Management 1.Verify if sub-suppliers are evaluated periodically. 2.Ensure the supplier has defined quality expectations and requirements for their own suppliers. 9.Training and Competency 1.Check whether employees are trained and competent for their assigned tasks. 2.Ensure training records are maintained and effectiveness is evaluated. 10.Continuous Improvement 1.Look for evidence of continuous improvement initiatives such as Kaizen, 5S, or Six Sigma. 2.Check whether improvement goals are set, monitored, and reviewed regularly. 11.Environment, Health & Safety (EHS) 1.Ensure that safety measures, signage, and personal protective equipment (PPE) are available and used. 2.Verify the implementation of 5S principles in the workplace. 3.Check for compliance with environmental and legal regulations. 12.Customer Satisfaction and Support 1.Review how customer feedback and complaints are collected and analyzed. 2.Check whether timely and effective actions are taken in response to customer issues.

🔎 Understanding HACCP, TACCP, and VACCP: A Comprehensive Approach to Food Safety, Defense & Integrity In today's dynamic food industry, focusing solely on preventing unintentional contamination is not enough. Companies must also prepare for intentional threats and economically motivated fraud. That’s where HACCP, TACCP, and VACCP come into play—each serving a unique and essential purpose in a robust Food Safety Management System (FSMS). 📌 HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points) is the cornerstone of food safety, designed to identify and control unintentional hazards—such as microbial, chemical, or physical contaminants—through preventive measures at key points in production. 📌 TACCP (Threat Assessment and Critical Control Points) shifts the focus to intentional harm—such as sabotage, bioterrorism, or malicious contamination. It's a proactive food defense tool, ensuring that vulnerabilities in the supply chain are assessed and mitigated. 📌 VACCP (Vulnerability Assessment and Critical Control Points) addresses economically motivated food fraud, including adulteration, substitution, and mislabeling. It helps companies assess vulnerabilities where fraud might occur and build traceability, transparency, and authenticity into their processes. Together, these three frameworks provide a 360° approach to food protection—from farm to fork. ✅ Implementing all three not only ensures compliance with global standards (e.g., BRC, SQF, IFS, FSMA, Codex) but also builds consumer trust, strengthens brand reputation, and fosters a culture of food integrity. 📊 The visual below offers a simplified comparison to help teams and stakeholders understand the key differences and how each system complements the other. #HACCP #TACCP #VACCP #FoodSafety #FoodDefense #FoodFraud #FSMS #GMP #RiskManagement #FoodIndustry #SupplyChainIntegrity #SafeFood #BRCGS #SQF #IFS #Codex #FSSC22000 #Compliance #FoodQuality #QualityAssurance #FoodSecurity

Refillable packaging: Unlocking mass adoption. Consumer unfriendliness is the No.1 reason refills fail. It’s a strategic imperative for beauty brands aiming to connect with eco-conscious consumers. Despite clear benefits, friction persists. Scaling requires removing emotional and practical barriers. The global refillable packaging market, valued at $42.5B in 2023, is set to reach $53.6B by 2027 (CAGR 6%), yet adoption remains limited beyond early users. >>Offer tangible INCENTIVES<< Build loyalty programs around refill usage, offer discounts, cashback, or exclusive perks for bringing back containers or purchasing refills. Make the economic benefit visible. For example, L’Occitane reports that 90% of its eco-refill users return due to cost savings alone. +74% Gen Z consumers say they are more likely to be loyal to brands that reward sustainability behaviors. >>SIMPLIFY Customer Journey<< Make it as easy as buying new. Remove friction with subscriptions, simple e-commerce, clear refill stations, and mobile support like QR codes. For example, a pilot by Unilever, simplifying the refill station process led to a 54% increase in repeat usage. +39% consumers cite inconvenience as the main reason they avoid refills. >>Communicate: Radical CLARITY<< Educate consistently with signage, staff, social media, and tutorials. Tackle hygiene concerns and be transparent, especially in beauty. 78% Gen Z want to know exactly how sustainability claims are delivered. +Only 28% consumers fully understand how refillable systems work. >>Overcome psychological BARRIERS<< Use behavioral nudges to frame refills as smart, ethical, and cool. Ease entry with reminders, trials, and starter kits. Rebrand refills as “recharge” or “reset” to fit lifestyle identity, key for Gen Z, who value purpose-driven choices and routine-friendly solutions. >>Create a CULTURE of Refill<< Make refillables part of the brand's community narrative. Spotlight real users in your social media. Use UGC, testimonials, and influencer partnerships to normalize refill culture. +32% higher conversion rates for refillable lines in Brands using social proof tactics. >>Design for APPEAL<< Make refill packaging premium, ergonomic, and stylish. Gen Z and Millennials value aesthetics as much as ethics. Think luxury materials, modular formats, and personalization. Fenty Beauty, for example, turns refills into fashion statements. +67% consumers say refill packaging lacks the design appeal. Final Thoughts: Refill is a movement, if friction is removed. Objections are design and communication challenges. To go mainstream, make sustainability the easy choice: incentivize, educate, simplify, and celebrate reuse. Find my curated search of examples and get inspired for your next success. Featured brands: Aime Wild Susanne Kaufamann Stich Make Sense Fenty Edone Maya Happy Me Laneige Fara Homidi Fils #beautybusiness #beautyprofessionals #sutainablepackaging #refillablepackaging

👟 𝗔𝗜 𝗖𝗮𝗻 𝗡𝗼𝘄 𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗦𝗻𝗲𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗯𝘆 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿 𝗦𝗺𝗲𝗹𝗹! Imagine sniffing out fake sneakers with AI! That’s what Osmo is doing. This startup uses AI-driven sensors to analyze the scents of materials like leather, foam, and rubber. The result? A 𝟵𝟱% 𝘀𝘂𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲 in telling real sneakers from counterfeits! 🚀 𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗶𝘁 𝗺𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀: Counterfeit goods cost billions every year. Osmo’s tech relies on unique scents created during authentic manufacturing, making fakes easier to spot. But there’s a catch: training their AI needs lots of data, which can be tough for rare, limited-edition shoes. And Osmo’s vision goes beyond sneakers. Think products with built-in scent markers for instant authenticity checks across different industries. 💬 Could this innovation change the game for how StockX, GOAT Group, POIZON Global and Vestiaire Collective tackle counterfeit products? *image: OSMO #AI #Sneakers #Innovation #Counterfeiting #Authentication #Startup #Tech #Resale

I'm excited to share our 2024 Brand Protection Report, highlighting Amazon's ongoing progress in protecting customers, brands, selling partners, and the Amazon store from counterfeit and other forms of IP infringement.   Three decades ago, Amazon set out to be Earth's most customer-centric company, where people can discover the widest possible selection of authentic products. Customer trust is difficult to earn and easy to lose which is why trust is at the foundation of everything we do.   You can read the report in full at the link below, but following are a few of my favorite highlights from the report: - Amazon’s Intellectual Property Accelerator has helped more than 16,000 brands obtain trademark protection, supporting business owners from 36 countries and in 18 languages, through a network of trusted IP law firms - Nearly 90,000 brands -- from Fortune 500 companies to new entrepreneurs -- use Amazon Transparency to uniquely serialize every product unit they manufacture and prevent counterfeit across the supply chain - We detected, worked to find upstream warehouses and manufacturing facilities, and ensured the seizure and disposal of more than 15 million counterfeit products worldwide, preventing them from being sold anywhere in the retail supply chain - Through strengthened anti-counterfeiting efforts with law enforcement in countries around the world, we supported more than 60 successful raids that helped identify over 100 bad actors that were detained, many being manufacturers or distributors of counterfeits   While we're proud of the progress we have made in partnership with brands, law enforcement, and key industry organizations, we remain committed to continued innovation and partnership. We will not rest until we drive counterfeits to zero. Read the full report here: https://lnkd.in/ghC6chK2   #Amazon #BrandProtection #Innovation #ZeroCounterfeits

I don’t often discuss AI in the Pharma Supply Chain, but it's time to highlight its critical role. Here are six vital applications: 🔮Demand Forecasting & Risk Management: AI leverages historical sales data and other factors to predict drug demands, it helps optimize drug stock levels, minimize overstocks and shortages, essential for life saving medications 🚚Transportation and Logistics: AI efficiently routes deliveries, crucially maintaining temperature controls for cold chain products during transport ⚙️Predictive Maintenance: In pharmaceutical manufacturing, AI forecasts equipment failures, preventing costly downtime and supply disruptions 🔍Fraud Detection: AI detects fraudulent patterns and regulatory non-compliance across the supply chain, aiding regulatory bodies and major pharma companies ✅Quality Control: AI systems scrutinize manufacturing processes, raw materials, and drugs to ensure high quality 🚫Counterfeit Drug Detection: AI, often paired with blockchain or smart packaging, identifies counterfeit drugs in the supply chain using pattern recognition and anomaly detection #DigitalHealth #AI #Supplychain

Enhance your brand's value by prioritizing consumer education. Here are three key dos and don'ts: Dos: Clear Communication: Provide easily understandable information to empower consumers with knowledge about your product or service. Interactive Learning: Engage your audience through webinars, tutorials, or interactive content to make the learning process enjoyable. Regular Updates: Keep educating your consumers about updates, new features, or industry trends to maintain an informed and loyal customer base. Don'ts: Overwhelming Information: Avoid bombarding consumers with too much information; focus on the essentials to prevent confusion. Assuming Prior Knowledge: Don't assume your audience knows everything. Start from the basics to ensure everyone is on the same page. Neglecting Feedback: Never ignore feedback. Use it to refine your educational content and address any areas of confusion. By embracing consumer education, you're not just selling a product; you're building a knowledgeable and loyal community. How do you incorporate consumer education into your brand strategy? Share your insights! We all grow together ✨🦋 #ConsumerEducation #BrandBuilding #CustomerEmpowerment #startuptips #startuptn #entrepreneur

The picture is from today when the police in Germany successfully found the bike thanks to Stromer GPS and its employees. In a recent police operation, the convergence of technology and teamwork proved instrumental in swiftly resolving a case involving a stolen Stromer bike. This success story not only highlights the importance of GPS technology in law enforcement but also showcases the collaborative efforts between the police force, the owner of the bike and Stromer employees. The journey began when a Stromer bike owner reported the theft of their high-end electric bike. Unbeknownst to the thief, the Stromer bike was equipped with a sophisticated GPS tracking system. This feature became the linchpin in the subsequent police action. As the bike's GPS data pinpointed its location, law enforcement swiftly mobilized to recover the stolen property. What made this operation particularly noteworthy was the cooperation between the police force and Stromer employees. Recognizing the urgency of the situation, Stromer staff actively assisted the police in deciphering the GPS data, enabled the alarm noise to find the correct room where it was hiding in the apartment, providing valuable insights that accelerated the investigation. This collaboration facilitated a seamless exchange of information, enabling law enforcement to track the stolen bike in real-time. The GPS technology not only guided the police to the precise location but also allowed them to monitor the movement of the bike, increasing the likelihood of a successful recovery. The operation culminated in the apprehension of the thief and the safe return of the Stromer bike to its rightful owner. This case serves as a testament to the power of technology when coupled with effective collaboration between private entities and law enforcement agencies. Beyond the recovery of the stolen property, this success story underscores the potential for broader partnerships between businesses and police forces. The integration of advanced tracking technologies into high-value assets, such as electric bikes, not only serves as a deterrent to theft but also enhances the probability of recovery when incidents do occur. As we navigate an increasingly interconnected world, leveraging technology and fostering collaborations between private entities and law enforcement is paramount. This case of a stolen Stromer bike showcases how such partnerships can yield positive outcomes, ultimately contributing to a safer and more secure community. In conclusion, the successful police action involving the recovery of a stolen Stromer bike exemplifies the synergy between cutting-edge technology and collaborative efforts. This case serves as an inspiring example for other businesses, law enforcement agencies, and communities alike, encouraging the exploration of innovative solutions to combat theft and enhance public safety. Stromer Bikes