Melissa Ross
Amidst all the shopping, wrapping, and returns, the Florida Retail Federation says this holiday season is also expected to feature a spike in fraud.
The FRF says retailers expect fraud to reach more than $2.2 billion nationally, an increase in fraudulent activity of 3.5 percent over 2014.
The biggest offense: criminals who try to return stolen merchandise.
“Wardrobing,” or the return of used, nondefective merchandise, is also common, the state’s retailers say.
And increasingly, fraud generated around e-receipts is becoming a problem as well.
“Due to the spike in retail fraud that takes place this time of year, we can’t stress enough for retailers to be even more cautious when it comes to handling gift returns,” said FRF President/CEO Rick McAllister. “And for consumers, it’s important to keep track of all receipts and documentation pertaining to a gift you’ve given or received to ensure your return process is a smooth one.”
According to National Retail Federation’s latest Return Fraud Survey, total annual returns in 2015 will reach $260.5 billion, or 8 percent of total retail sales, with $9.1 billion of retailers’ annual returns expected to be fraudulent, or 3.5 percent of the industry’s total returns.
Remember: Keep those receipts, and when giving a gift, especially one of clothing, include that gift receipt.
