IndieCommunication: IDing Fraudulent Orders, Taking Webinar Requests, Rolling Out New Features

Printer-friendly versionPrinter-friendly version

Here’s the IndieCommunication e-newsletter for Monday, July 15:

Detecting Fraudulent Orders

Fraud w/ cartoon image of burglarOnline fraudulent orders are getting harder to detect. The days of a $2,000 textbook order with a credit card billing address in Alaska, a shipping address in Georgia, from an IP address in China still occur, but online fraudsters are getting much more sophisticated and we are seeing an increase in fraudulent orders for $20 to $50 purchases, which would not normally raise a red flag. Take a few minutes to review our list of red flags, and don’t hesitate to contact [email protected] if you suspect a fraudulent order.

We’re Taking Webinar Requests

Two laptop computers with cartoon people emerging from the screens and shaking handsThe IndieCommerce platform offers many features and services, and we roll out new services and updates on a regular basis. Our popular webinar series is a way for you to find out about new features as well as those you may not be aware of. Is there an existing feature that you would like to know more about? Is there a feature that you’ve been looking for but you’re not sure if we currently offer it? Drop IndieCommerce Senior Manager Geetha Nathan an e-mail at [email protected] and tell her what you are interested in hearing about in one of our upcoming webinars.

New Features and Updates

IndieCommerce keyboard key with shopping cart full of booksEarlier this week, Geetha rolled out several code updates that you should be aware of:

  • Customer IP address: On IndieLite and IndieCommerce, the IP address of the buyer is now displayed on all orders (all payment methods and statuses). This can be a very important tool in detecting a fraudulent order.
  • Theme upgrade: Theme fixes for the Bamboo, Nexus, Corporate Clean, and Corkedscrewer themes have been made so that presentation on mobile devices in landscape mode appears correctly.
  • New preference: Your store can now select a preference to have your site display a pre-order badge on all books with a future publication date.

If you have any questions about these updates, please reach out to us at [email protected].


Booksellers are encouraged to send their thoughts, questions, or suggestions via e-mail to IndieCommerce staff at any time.

Past editions of IndieCommunication are available on the IndieCommerce Updates page on BookWeb.org.