"Surge in Retail Return Fraud Ahead of Holiday Deadline"

As the holiday return deadline approaches, retailers are facing a rising tide of return fraud, with an expected 16.5% of holiday returns this year estimated to be fraudulent. This trend is driven by the increase in online shopping and the various tactics used by fraudsters, including returning stolen goods, shipping back empty boxes, and engaging in "wardrobing" and "bracketing." Retailers are responding by tightening return policies, using AI and personalized technology, and implementing stricter measures to combat fraud, which is impacting honest shoppers and adding friction to the customer experience.