payments

The Fraud Ecosystem Has Industrialized. That’s Good News for Defenders Who Know Where to Look.

Payment fraud has evolved into an industrialized ecosystem supported by standardized infrastructure, packaged toolkits, and professional services, enabling threat actors to conduct large-scale attacks with less skill. Recorded Future's 2025 report highlights how this industrialization creates detectable patterns upstream of fraudulent transactions—such as Magecart e-skimmer infections, scam merchant setups, and card testing—that financial institutions can monitor proactively to prevent losses before fraud occurs.

https://www.recordedfuture.com/blog/industrialization-of-the-fraud-ecosystem-blog

AI-powered Refund Abuse and Dispute Fraud: The Democratization of Deception

AI has facilitated a rise in refund abuse, with 65% of consumers noting it has made false claims easier. Fraudsters now manipulate digital images using AI tools to appear damaged, undermining traditional proof of claims. This trend poses significant challenges for merchants, who must adapt their verification processes, balancing customer service with fraud prevention. A robust framework is essential, including technology-driven defenses, low-friction verification requests, and a shift to customer-centric risk assessments to mitigate fraud effectively.

https://www.ravelin.com/blog/ai-powered-refund-abuse-dispute-fraud

Scale Computing™ Simplifies PCI DSS Readiness With New Compliance Self-Assessment Tool

Scale Computing announced the release of its new PCI DSS Compliance Self-Assessment Tool, part of the SC//AcuVigil™ managed network services. The tool helps organizations evaluate their security posture and PCI DSS readiness across all locations and vendors. It provides a personalized report summarizing strengths, potential risks, and actionable recommendations to improve audit outcomes and strengthen security.

https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/scale-computing-simplifies-pci-dss-readiness-with-new-compliance-self-assessment-tool-302706290.html

Agentic Payments Are Coming. Is Your Company Ready?

Agentic payments are emerging, introducing risks for brands and merchants as AI platforms like ChatGPT take on purchase tasks. Major retailers and payment platforms are incorporating AI-driven shopping, raising concerns about customer experience, brand integrity, and security. As AI traffic surges, merchants must adapt to a future where AI agents execute transactions, which may lead to disintermediation and commoditization, affecting e-commerce dynamics. The industry faces challenges in ensuring payment security, distinguishing legitimate AI transactions from fraud, and maintaining customer support post-purchase. Overall, trust in AI agents and their integration into existing shopping frameworks is paramount for successful adoption.

https://www.cio.com/article/4137893/agentic-payments-are-coming-is-your-company-ready.html

When AI Agents Pay: Who Owns the Compliance Liability?

AI agents in commerce raise complex compliance issues regarding transactional liability. With their adoption accelerating, traditional regulatory frameworks (such as PCI DSS, AML, and DORA) may struggle to keep pace, as compliance is hard to assign when AIs initiate payments. Financial institutions must proactively assess their compliance strategies for AI interactions to avoid future liability risks, particularly around transaction monitoring, script security, and operational resilience. Immediate steps include mapping integrations and recalibrating AML systems. Delayed action may lead to regulatory crises as compliance standards evolve.

https://www.finextra.com/blogposting/30917/when-ai-agents-pay-who-owns-the-compliance-liability

The Case for a Ransom Payment Ban and When It Might Happen

Jen Ellis, co-chair of the Ransomware Task Force, predicts a partial ransom payment ban in Britain. While not a perfect solution, it addresses the ethical concerns of funding cybercrime. The ban will likely follow the implementation of the revamped Cyber Action Plan and the Cyber Security and Resilience Bill.

https://www.bankinfosecurity.com/interviews/case-for-ransom-payment-ban-when-might-happen-i-5520

Banks Face a Looming AI Payments Reckoning

AI agents are poised to transform credit card commerce in 2026, potentially impacting 20% of card transactions. Merchants and issuers must adapt by hiring experienced tech leaders and educating consumers on AI's benefits, as many are open to letting AI manage purchases for them. Preparation is crucial for both retailers and credit card companies to successfully integrate AI into daily shopping interactions.

https://www.cardrates.com/news/banks-face-a-looming-ai-payments-reckoning/

The Penetration Testing Market in 2025: Key Players and What Is Ahead

Penetration testing is evolving in 2025 with AI automation and cloud-based models enhancing security practices. Key drivers include Penetration Testing as a Service (PTaaS), which merges automated tools and human input for efficient vulnerability assessments. Organizations seek continuous security validation to meet strict compliance requirements. Major vendors like Rapid7 and Secureworks lead by providing diverse testing solutions ranging from web applications to cloud security. AI capabilities improve the testing process through intelligence gathering, automated execution, and reporting, addressing the increasing sophistication of cyber threats and emphasizing the importance of adaptive security measures.

https://omdia.tech.informa.com/blogs/2025/dec/the-penetration-testing-market-in-2025-key-players-and-what-is-ahead

Friendly Fraud: The New Scam Causing Harm to Businesses

UK businesses face rising “friendly fraud” charges, where customers falsely dispute credit card purchases for refunds, harming small firms financially. Affected owners, like Rusty Nart, report significant losses despite attempts to investigate fraud. “Friendly fraud” costs UK businesses £551.3m in 2023, amid an increasing trend driven by economic pressures. Experts advise businesses to adopt prevention strategies, emphasizing meticulous record-keeping and customer communication to mitigate fraudulent claims.

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c9vjk3ezyjeo

EU Reaches Provisional Deal to Update Payment Services Rules

EU finalizes provisional agreement to update payment service rules, focusing on fraud prevention, fee transparency, and consumer protections. Key changes include stronger anti-fraud measures, data exchange requirements for payment service providers (PSPs), mandatory fee disclosures for ATM and card services, and new cash withdrawal options at retailers. The reforms aim to foster consumer trust and adapt to emerging digital payment models.

https://thepaypers.com/regulations/news/eu-reaches-provisional-deal-to-update-payment-services-rules

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