Log the serial/IMEI against every order at fulfillment. It converts three dispute types: 'not received' (the serial you shipped was activated/registered — by them), 'empty box' claims (weight records + serialized packing), and warranty-fraud returns (the returned unit's serial doesn't match). Electronics also justifies signature-on-delivery above ~$300 — the economics clear easily at the category's AOV and fraud rate.
The serial-number log
At pack-out, scan the unit serial (and IMEI for cellular devices) into the order record — a metafield, a fulfillment note, or your WMS. Ten seconds per order.
That row is now evidence: which physical unit went to which customer. Manufacturers' registration and activation databases can then corroborate — an activated device is a delivered device, and several manufacturers cooperate with merchant fraud inquiries on registration status.
The three patterns it beats
- 'Never received': tracking shows delivered + the shipped serial was activated three days later. Activation isn't in the network's standard evidence fields, but paired with delivery proof it makes the not-received narrative untenable.
- 'Box was empty': serialized pack-out + package weight from the carrier scan. An 'empty' box that weighed 890g at induction is a strong rebuttal.
- Warranty/return swap: the returned unit's serial ≠ the shipped serial → return rejected, dispute defended with both numbers documented.
Screening for resale fraud
Professional patterns worth rules: multiple units of the same SKU to one address, freight-forwarder addresses (known ranges are published), rush shipping on first-time high-AOV orders, and IP-vs-shipping triangle mismatches.
Signature confirmation above ~$300 AOV: at electronics fraud rates the $3–5 cost clears its break-even by an order of magnitude. Aurai Prevent scores these patterns at order time — and its representment pulls your serial metafields into fraud-dispute packets automatically.
Frequently asked questions
Is serial-number evidence accepted in disputes?
As corroboration, yes — paired with delivery proof it defeats not-received narratives. Alone it isn't a network evidence category, so pair it with the standard stack.
When is signature confirmation worth it?
Electronics above ~$300 AOV, always. The $3–5 fee against the category's fraud rate is one of the clearest positive-EV rules in ecommerce.
Post reflects public documentation and industry surveys as of the publish date. Win rates and other figures are indicative ranges, not guarantees and not Aurai results; outcomes vary by merchant, evidence, and issuer. Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, Stripe, PayPal, and Shopify are trademarks of their respective owners; Aurai is independent and not endorsed by any of them. Network rules change — always verify current official rules before acting on any specific tactic.