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, industry surveys, and Aurai's own book of disputes as of the publish date. 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.