What are the risks of payments via credit card?

Credit card is a global payment method. This means that your website visitors can pay from around the globe. In addition, credit card payments, as opposed to payment methods such as iDEAL and Bancontact, can be reversed by the cardholder. As a result, the risks involved in this payment method are substantially greater compared to most local payment methods. It is important that you understand the risks and what you can do to reduce them.


Credit card is not a guaranteed payment method. This means the cardholder can reverse a credit card payment within 6 months. They can do this by submitting a chargeback. A chargeback is a reversal of the purchase amount, initiated by the issuer (In this case the consumer's bank).

There are many possible reasons for a chargeback, but some of the most common ones are:

  • product not received;
  • fraud (cardholder did not make the payment);
  • goods don't match their description;
  • no refund received.

Credit card fraud

Credit card is a payment method that is sensitive to fraud. Particularly when a credit card does not have a 3D secure code, it is easier to use it for fraudulent transactions. A fraudster can, for instance, use a stolen card to purchase an expensive product. As soon as the product has been delivered, the cardholder will initiate a chargeback. As the merchant, you then have a problem: you will not only have lost your product, but also the money.

Preventing Chargebacks and Credit card fraud

Of course, Mollie takes every precaution to prevent fraud. However, you still need to pay attention and know how you can prevent chargebacks and fraud. Therefore, read this article on how to prevent chargebacks before you activate this payment method.


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