I have tried placing two separate orders. first time was for vehicle parts. Oddly enough first order (way higher price almost triple) went through but second order (made same day with same card and same address and billing/shipping info) was auto declined. I asked seller and seller said marked as high risk. Purchase was only 80$ and got marked as high risk. Now that was months ago. I tried buying from a separate seller tonight an hour ago. For a gaming controller. New card info cause i thought maybe last purchase was a card issue. BUT my shipping/billing info never changed cause i didnt move. Order immediately cancelled within 5 minutes and is showing marked as high risk. How does one fix this? Getting really annoyed with shopify. I feel targeted at this point.
This situation can be frustrating, especially when legitimate orders are flagged as high risk. Here’s why it might be happening and some steps you can take to resolve it:
Why Orders Are Flagged as High Risk
Shopify has automated fraud detection that checks orders for potential risks. Some factors that could trigger a high-risk flag include:
- Inconsistent or unusual order patterns: Multiple orders in a short time frame or unusually high-value items.
- Changes in payment details: Using new card information might appear suspicious, especially if there was a previous high-risk order.
- Shipping and billing address mismatches: Even if minor, address mismatches can sometimes contribute to risk flags.
- Device or IP inconsistency: Shopify may detect orders placed from different devices or IP addresses as a risk.
How to Address It1. Contact Shopify Support Directly:
- Explain the situation: Provide details about your previous orders and the consistent shipping/billing information you’re using. Shopify support can sometimes make a note on your account to avoid unnecessary high-risk flags.
- Verify your identity: Some cases may require identity verification to assure Shopify that your orders are legitimate.
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Request Assistance from the Seller:
- Ask the seller to manually review your order: Sellers on Shopify have access to fraud analysis and may choose to accept orders flagged as high risk if they can verify the buyer’s identity or other factors.
- Provide additional information: Offering proof of identity or payment can sometimes help a seller verify your order manually.
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Use a Trusted Payment Method:
- Ensure your payment method matches your account information precisely. Consistency across multiple orders builds a positive order history, reducing the chance of high-risk flags.
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Avoid Multiple Orders in Short Succession:
- Placing multiple orders within a short period may trigger security protocols. Try spacing out orders slightly or consolidating purchases into one order if possible.
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Check with Your Bank:
- Some banks flag certain transactions as potentially fraudulent, especially if you’re ordering from new vendors. Confirm with your bank that they are not blocking or flagging Shopify transactions as a security measure.
These steps should help resolve the issue. Reaching out to Shopify and explaining your purchase history is likely to be the most effective solution, as they can make a note on your account to reduce future flags.
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Hi @Noah_t1999
I’m sorry this is happening to you, that is very frustrating.
Most likely your details have been marked as high risk with Shopify or 3rd party apps that Shopify merchants are using to evaluate fraud.
You can contact your bank and explain this problem, they might have some kind of a fraud block or flag on your account. Also, if you have filed chargebacks in the past, that might hurt your reputation with Shopify - even if those chargebacks are legitimate. Unfortunately chargebacks have been weaponized fraudulently against merchants, and the rate of chargebacks from a given card might also trigger you has a high risk.
You can offer to provide additional details to merchants to verify your actual address, and intent to order. From the merchant’s perspective, it’s risky to fulfill orders with high risk because the chargeback process is lengthy, they pay a fee regardless if they win or lose, and they have a real chance of losing the chargeback and being out both the items and the charge.
If your bank isn’t able to help, then perhaps consider switching credit cards, since clearly there’s some kind of flag on your details.
I ensured to double check with the seller prior to purchasing said item that got cancelled the second time to ensure my payment method was fine. They assured me it was via phone call. It wasnt with the same bank. My original purchase that got cancelled was with an actual local bank. This one was with $ app. The only thing similar was my email and shipping/billing address as thats the only email and shipping/billing i have. This is a little on the annoying end and all i wanted to do was get my wife a gift for christmas. The seller said they will see if they can find out why it was marked as high risk but nothing shows up as of 11:35 am cst. Ive doubled back with $ app technical support and this is a first the lady had heard of that kind of issue happening, but stated there’s always a chance for something like this to happen at any time. Its just getting annoying this is twice almost 7 months apart this has happened.
Hey—I totally understand your frustration. I’ve been on the merchant side of this problem for a while, and I can say that what you’re describing happens more often than people realize.
Shopify’s system runs automated fraud checks in the background, and sometimes it flags legitimate orders by mistake—especially if:
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You’ve placed multiple orders in a short window
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There’s a new card or device involved
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Or the system sees something unusual in your IP, region, or past transactions (even if everything looks normal to you)
The frustrating part is that merchants don’t get a full explanation either—Shopify just labels it “High Risk” and strongly advises canceling. Most small business owners feel they have to follow that recommendation or risk a chargeback.
That’s actually why I built a tool called FraudGuard—it gives merchants more insight into each order, and allows them to request a quick verification (like confirming the last 4 digits of your card and ZIP) instead of just auto-canceling.
I know that doesn’t help your past orders, but I just wanted to say: you’re not being targeted. The system just isn’t perfect—and unfortunately, customers sometimes get caught in the middle.
If you’re still trying to place that order, you might want to reach out to the seller and ask if they’re willing to verify you manually. A quick response from you can often save the order.
Hope it works out. I know how frustrating it is to just get blocked with no explanation.
— Reuven | Founder, FraudGuard (Shopify app)