Every fake COD order costs you money: shipping, packaging, staff time, and opportunity cost. The trick is catching fraudsters before you ship.
In this guide, we'll show you exactly what to look for. These 15 red flags will help you identify 90% of fake orders.
Quick Reference: Risk Levels
Phone Number Red Flags
Virtual Number Prefixes
Numbers starting with JazzCash/EasyPaisa prefixes (e.g., 0311-xxxxxxx)
No WhatsApp Presence
Number isn't registered on WhatsApp (most Pakistanis use WhatsApp)
Area Code Mismatch
Phone area code doesn't match delivery city (e.g., Karachi number for Lahore address)
Number Unreachable
Number is switched off or doesn't answer when you call back
New Number
Number was recently activated (check with telecom if possible)
Address Red Flags
Vague Address
No specific house number or landmarks (e.g., "Street 5, Sector A")
Non-Existent Location
Address doesn't exist on Google Maps
Known Fraud Hotspot
Address is in an area with high historical fraud rates
P.O. Box or Commercial
Delivery to P.O. Box or commercial address for personal items
Previously Rejected
Same address has rejected orders before
Order Pattern Red Flags
Bulk High-Value Orders
Multiple expensive items in one order from new customer
Late Night Ordering
Order placed between 2-4 AM (to avoid immediate verification)
Rush Delivery
Customer demands same-day or next-day delivery
Expensive Items Only
Ordering only high-ticket items (iPhones, designer clothes)
Repeat Attempts
Same number/address placing new order after rejection
Customer Behavior Red Flags
Vague Responses
Short, unclear answers when asked verification questions
Product Ignorance
Doesn't know basic details about product they ordered
Return Policy Focus
Asking about return policy before receiving order
Call Center Background
Background noise suggests calling from call center
No Social Presence
No Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn associated with phone/email
How to Use This Checklist
When processing a COD order, go through this checklist and count the red flags:
This looks like a legitimate order. Process normally.
Call the customer to confirm details before shipping.
Request prepayment or advanced payment before shipping.
This is almost certainly fraud. Don't ship.
Real Example: Spotting a Fraudster
Suspicious Order Details:
Red Flags Identified:
Can't Check Every Order Manually?
For stores processing 100+ orders/month, manual verification isn't scalable. You'd need to spend 20 minutes per order checking all these red flags.
Shippley's AI automatically checks all 15 red flags in under 1 second and calls customers to verify suspicious orders.
Calculate Your SavingsWant a Printable Checklist?
Download our free manual verification checklist with all 15 red flags included.
Download Free Checklist