Alert: 4 signs of fraud in affiliate orders

Caio Moreira · 2026-10-07

Early fraud detection can save your business from major losses. Here are four signs to watch for when managing affiliate orders.

Shipping addresses that don’t match the account

One of the main signs of fraud is when the shipping address doesn’t match the customer’s account address. This can include:

• Addresses in different cities or states than the ones on the account.
• Frequent address changes with no clear reason.
• Addresses that don’t exist or are clearly fake (e.g., business addresses or public locations).

If you notice this pattern, consider investigating the order further before processing it.

High-value orders with no purchase history

Orders that exceed your average order value, especially from customers who have never bought from you before, are a red flag. Check:

• Whether the customer has any previous purchase history.
• The average value of the products they usually buy.
• Whether the order is disproportionate to the customer’s purchasing behavior.

If a new customer tries to buy a high-value item with no purchase history, it could be an attempt at fraud.

Frequent changes to contact information

Verifying contact information is crucial. Watch for:

• Frequent changes to the email or phone number associated with the same account.
• Requests to change contact details right after placing an order.
• Emails using uncommon or suspicious-looking domains.

These changes may indicate that someone is trying to hide their identity.

Discount codes used on suspicious orders

Abuse of discount codes can be a sign of fraud. Pay attention to:

• Codes being applied to high-value orders.
• Multiple orders placed in a row using the same code.
• Codes that shouldn’t be used together but are being applied together.

These situations may indicate that someone is trying to profit from a loophole in the system.

Conclusion

Constant vigilance and careful order analysis are essential to minimizing fraud risks. Use tools like FreeSpy to monitor purchasing behavior patterns and help identify potential fraud.

Which of these signs have you come across in your operations? Share numbers and experiences!