security code) for phone and online orders. For in-store pickups, require the customer to present the physical card and a matching ID. These simple steps stop the majority of chargeback losses before they happen.
2. The “Overpayment” or “Private Courier” Scam This is a calculated scheme that contin- ues to surface in florist shops nationwide, often targeting florists via email, text or hearing-impaired relay services. A “customer” places a large order,
such as six expensive bouquets for a wedding. They agree to your pricing without negotiation but add a catch: They want to pay extra for a “private courier” or “shipper” who will pick up the flowers. They ask you to charge their card for the full amount plus a several-hundred-dollar “tip” for the driver, which you are then asked to pay in cash or via a digital trans- fer (like Venmo or Zelle) to the courier. The catch is that the credit card used
is stolen. Once the real owner disputes the total transaction, you are liable for the entire amount — including the cash you “refunded” or paid to the scam- mer’s accomplice. These scams often peak during wedding season and major holidays, when shops are busiest and pressure to say yes is high. Prevention Strategy: Decline any
order involving overpayments, private couriers, or requests to transfer funds, especially when paired with identical high-value arrangements or refusal to speak by phone — these are consistent indicators of fraud.
3. Deceptive Order Gatherers Deceptive order gatherers are third-party companies that deliberately misrepresent themselves as local florists, using fake or misleading business names, addresses, websites, and even copied logos to convince customers they are ordering directly from a neighborhood shop. These operators rely heavily on SEO
and paid search ads to appear as “Local (Your City) Florist” at the top of online results. After collecting the customer’s full payment — often including high service fees — they then attempt to subcontract the order to a real florist for a fraction of what the customer paid, sometimes keeping up to 50% of the
FRAUD PREVENTION: SIMPLE CONTROLS THAT WORK Most fraud losses happen when basic controls break down. These practical steps can significantly reduce risk and protect your bottom line. • Document every order. Photograph each arrangement before it leaves the shop and at delivery. These images are your strongest defense against “never delivered” or quality-related chargebacks.
• Keep clear records. Maintain detailed documentation of transactions, customer communications and delivery confirmations.
• Use multi-factor authentication. Secure your POS system, email and social media accounts with app-based MFA to prevent account takeovers.
• Verify large or unusual orders. When something feels off, call the customer. Legitimate buyers welcome verification; scammers typically disengage.
• Confirm vendor changes. Cross-check invoice updates and payment requests using known contact information and avoid unverified wire transfers.
• Guide customers to official channels. Encourage customers to order through your official website and published phone number, not unfamiliar search- result listings.
total. The customer believes they ordered locally, while the florist is left with reduced margins and reputational risk. If you accept these orders, you are
often forced to create a lower-quality arrangement to meet the tiny budget provided by the middleman. When the customer is disappointed, they blame your shop, even though the decep- tive order gatherer took the bulk of their money. Prevention Strategy: Check the
company online to see if it has a physical street address; if they don’t, or if they only list a toll-free number, that’s a red flag. Better yet: Call the company directly to ask for their local address and check the one they provide to determine if it is real.
4. Fake Websites and SEO Hijacking These cybercriminals create fraudulent websites that rank high in search results for your business name, using a fake phone number and address to intercept orders. Customers pay the scammers, who may fulfill via wire services (unknow- ingly involving legitimate florists like yours) or pocket the money entirely with- out providing a product. This has affected florists in multiple regions, leading to lost sales as customers are misled into believ- ing they ordered directly from a local shop. Prevention Strategy: Keep your busi-
ness listings accurate and clearly identify your official website and phone number, and routinely monitor search results for
fake sites or misleading listings using your business name.
5. Other Modern Cybersecurity Risks: The digital world presents many other opportunities for risk.
Supplier Phishing You may receive an email that looks like it’s from a regular grower or packaging supplier, claiming they have changed their bank details for invoice payments. If you pay the new account without verifying via a known phone number, this money is gone — with little recourse for recovery. Prevention Strategy: Always confirm
any payment or banking changes by calling your supplier directly using a known phone number — never the one listed in the email.
Social Media Hijacking Scammers may target your Instagram or Facebook business pages to post fake “flash sales” or “giveaways” intended to harvest customer credit card data. This destroys the trust you have built with your local community. Prevention Strategy: Enable
two-factor authentication on all business social accounts and limit admin access to only trusted team members.
Derrick Myers, CPA, CFP, PFCI, is the president of Crockett, Myers & Associates, Inc.
The magazine of the Society of American Florists (SAF) 31
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