--- title: "New Ravelin survey: tracking the rise of friendly fraud – the dark side of online shopping" date: 2023-11-15T08:30:00+00:00 author: Ravelin Technology canonical_url: "https://www.ravelin.com/blog/friendly-fraud-consumer-fraud-survey" section: Blog --- Blog /[Fraud analytics](/resources?search=&category%5B0%5D=134547#resourceContainer "Go to Fraud analytics"), [Press release](/resources?search=&category%5B0%5D=175650#resourceContainer "Go to Press release"), [Refund abuse](/resources?search=&category%5B0%5D=204631#resourceContainer "Go to Refund abuse"), [Promo abuse](/resources?search=&category%5B0%5D=244453#resourceContainer "Go to Promo abuse"), [Fraud trends](/resources?search=&category%5B0%5D=201169#resourceContainer "Go to Fraud trends") # New Ravelin survey: tracking the rise of friendly fraud – the dark side of online shopping Ravelin's new consumer fraud survey sheds light on the motivations, intentions and methods of first-party fraudsters – 40% of whom admit to committing fraud or abuse against online retailers in the past year. 15 November 2023 ![New Ravelin survey: tracking the rise of friendly fraud – the dark side of online shopping](https://storage.googleapis.com/ravelin-website-assets-production/assets/images/_blogSmall/194530/251_Ebook_Social_Blog_885_x_505_1.webp) We have just released the findings of the first definitive consumer fraud survey across Europe: **[The Dark Side of Online Shopping – the Rise of Friendly Fraud](https://pages.ravelin.com/consumer-fraud-survey/)**. Our survey of over 6,000 consumers in the UK, France, and Germany has found that more than 40% of internet shoppers admit to committing fraud within the last 12 months, while **36% are considering committing fraud in the future**. These consumer fraudsters are costing merchants millions in lost revenues each year and destroying their bottom lines. Earlier this year, our [Global Fraud Trends and Payments Survey 2023](https://resources.ravelin.com/online-payment-fraud/global-fraud-trends-2023?utm_campaign=General&utm_medium=email&_hsmi=250151340&utm_content=250151340&utm_source=hs_automation&_pfses=yx7h9fJ4DEwmuDEL33upx553) found that over a third of finance leaders would describe first-party fraud, including chargeback fraud, returns and promotions abuse, as the number one risk factor facing their business. And that around half agree fraud by customers has increased compared with a year ago. It’s a fast-growing problem but, until now, little was known about people's motivations. Our survey reveals people’s attitudes to and motivations for abusing generous policies, loyalty schemes, and promotions. It shows the worst offenders, the types of fraud they’ve attempted, how much they have gained, and the companies most at risk. Some of the findings are surprising: 40% of online shoppers admit to committing first-party fraud, and the most significant perpetrators – **41% – are the over-45s**. Rather than young chancers, this group is the most financially stretched and stressed, and they are reportedly tempted into fraud to help take the pressure off. As for motivations, the cost of living crisis across much of Europe has taken its toll. 51% of offenders cite it as the trigger for their behavior. Others blame the Covid-19 pandemic, unemployment, having children, or starting school and university as they look for ways to save money and get better deals. Consumer fraudsters are also **discerning about who they target**. Their values, ethics, circumstances, and a belief that big, faceless companies won’t notice, drive their actions. Yet, broadly, they think what they’re doing is okay and that brands make it easy. And they’re not planning to stop anytime soon. Download **The Dark Side of Online Shopping – the Rise of Friendly Fraud** to get access to detailed statistics and charts on consumer fraud across the UK, France, and Germany. **[Get the full report and additional resources here](https://pages.ravelin.com/consumer-fraud-survey/)**. If you'd like to learn more about how Ravelin helps prevent and block consumer fraud, as well as other types of fraud, [get in touch today](https://www.ravelin.com/contact-us/). ## Author ![Ravelin Technology](https://storage.googleapis.com/ravelin-website-assets-production/assets/images/_avatarSmall/187712/Ravelin-Symbol-Blue-1.webp) Ravelin Technology Press releases, announcements and official updates from Ravelin Technology. [More from this author](https://www.ravelin.com/author/ravelin-technology) ## Related content [Blog / Press release ### Kinguin renews Ravelin partnership after cutting ecommerce fraud to “industry-leading low” The leading gaming marketplace extends AI fraud prevention deal for further three years, with Ravelin automating real-time fraud defenses and supporting growth to over 20 million customers. ![Ravelin Symbol Blue 1](https://storage.googleapis.com/ravelin-website-assets-production/assets/images/_33x33_crop_center-center_none_ns/187712/Ravelin-Symbol-Blue-1.webp)Ravelin Technology](https://www.ravelin.com/blog/kinguin-ravelin-partnership-renewal) [Blog / Payments & payment fraud ### Card payment liability shift – everything you need to know to reduce chargeback burden The knowledge you need to make the most of liability shifts and reap the benefits for your company – including saving money on chargebacks. ![Freddie burgess](https://storage.googleapis.com/ravelin-website-assets-production/assets/images/_33x33_crop_center-center_none_ns/281707/freddie-burgess.webp)Freddie Burgess,Senior Product Support Analyst](https://www.ravelin.com/blog/card-payment-liability-shift-for-chargebacks) [Blog / Fraud analytics ### Refund abuse KPIs: How to measure and reduce refund fraud rates What you need to know to assess and quantify refund abuse – as well as to measure whether your refund abuse solution and strategy are delivering results. ![Can](https://storage.googleapis.com/ravelin-website-assets-production/assets/images/_33x33_crop_center-center_none_ns/280078/can.webp)Can Colak,Senior Product Manager](https://www.ravelin.com/blog/how-to-measure-refund-abuse-kpis)