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fraud in Europe: counting the cost for retailers and shoppers

This report equips merchants with strategies to navigate retail fraud, and turn challenges into opportunities for growth.

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Fraud report

What you'll learn

How much leaders are losing a year to fraud

Merchants spend hundreds of hours annually dealing with scams, disputes, and fraudulent claims.

Explore fraud prevention
  • How much leaders are losing a year to fraud
  • Why fraud is an extra tax on business
  • Trust drives conversion
  • Why fraud peaks when sales do
  • What the new growth includes

The headlines

In the same way fraud is increasing with the rise of digital retail, peak shopping periods like Black Friday have created prime periods for fraudsters to strike.

The cost of these attacks is much more than just financial. This report outlines the full threat of fraud, and how to mitigate the risks.

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86%

of merchants say their business has been targeted by scams or fraud attempts in the past 12 months.

52%

of businesses have suffered reputational damage because of fraud — rising to 67% for larger merchants.

76%

of retailers plan to invest more in fraud prevention tools over the next year.

Fraud is much more than a financial setback. Many businesses struggle to recover from the severe reputational damage it can cause. Their customers perceive fraud as a breach in trust that won’t be quickly forgotten.

payabl.

Ugnė Buracienė

Group CEO, payabl.

Ugnė Buracienė

What's inside?

From preparing for AI-powered scams to adapting shifting consumer trust, the report explores how retailers can protect their businesses and ensure that their growth in digital retail remains resilient.

  • The rise of AI-enabled fraud

    AI is reshaping retail, and arming fraudsters with new tricks. Discover how merchants are using the same tech to fight back, detecting threats in real time and restoring consumer confidence.

    Read more in the report

  • Peak sales, peak risk

    Black Friday and Cyber Monday are identified by over a third of retail leaders as the riskiest times of the year for fraud. Find out how businesses can balance opportunity with vigilance.

    Read more in the report

  • The reputational ripple effect

    Over half of merchants have suffered reputational damage due to fraud, and a fifth say they’ve lost customer loyalty as a result. Learn how trust — once lost — can be rebuilt.

    Read more in the report

  • Collaboration as the cure

    Almost 90% of retailers say preventing fraud is essential for success, but many still lack clear policies. Explore how partnerships between merchants, banks, and payment providers are key to progress.

    Read more in the report

  • Counting the cost of fraud

    Fraud now drains billions from Europe’s retail sector every year, costing UK businesses alone over £1 billion in 2024. Learn how the cost extends beyond balance sheets to time, reputation, and customer loyalty.

    Read more in the report

  • The rise of AI-enabled fraud

    AI is reshaping retail, and arming fraudsters with new tricks. Discover how merchants are using the same tech to fight back, detecting threats in real time and restoring consumer confidence.

    Read more in the report

  • Peak sales, peak risk

    Black Friday and Cyber Monday are identified by over a third of retail leaders as the riskiest times of the year for fraud. Find out how businesses can balance opportunity with vigilance.

    Read more in the report

  • The reputational ripple effect

    Over half of merchants have suffered reputational damage due to fraud, and a fifth say they’ve lost customer loyalty as a result. Learn how trust — once lost — can be rebuilt.

    Read more in the report

  • Collaboration as the cure

    Almost 90% of retailers say preventing fraud is essential for success, but many still lack clear policies. Explore how partnerships between merchants, banks, and payment providers are key to progress.

    Read more in the report

  • Counting the cost of fraud

    Fraud now drains billions from Europe’s retail sector every year, costing UK businesses alone over £1 billion in 2024. Learn how the cost extends beyond balance sheets to time, reputation, and customer loyalty.

    Read more in the report

Protect your business with payabl. checkout

Built-in fraud prevention

AI-powered tools, real-time monitoring, and flexible rule-based controls that keep your business safe without blocking good customers.

Seamless customer experience

Frictionless payments built for conversion — combining security with speed, no matter where your customers shop.

One moneyspace. Total control.

Manage payments, fraud prevention, and insights in one unified place with payabl.one.

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