In 2025, the global ecommerce market is expected to surpass $7 trillion dollars, but rapid growth brings an equally fast-paced evolution in threats. From AI-enabled fraud schemes to mounting regulatory pressure, the risks facing online businesses are more sophisticated than ever. To stay competitive—and secure—organizations need to understand where threats are headed. Here are five ecommerce risk trends that demand attention this year.
1. AI-Powered Fraud is Surging—and Getting Smarter
AI is transforming ecommerce—but it’s also supercharging fraud. A recent industry report revealed that 91 percent of ecommerce merchants are worried about rising AI-powered fraud in the next 12 months.
Fraudsters are now using generative AI and machine learning to:
- Generate synthetic identities that pass traditional KYC
- Create phishing emails that mimic brand tone and visuals
- Deploy intelligent bots that behave like real customers
These threats are harder to detect and faster to adapt than manual fraud. To fight back, ecommerce companies are investing in AI-vs-AI fraud prevention, using real-time behavior analytics and pattern recognition to catch threats before they cause damage.
2. Omnichannel Expansion is Widening the Attack Surface
Ecommerce is no longer just websites. Customers now shop through mobile apps, social platforms, marketplaces, and even voice assistants. Each of these channels brings unique vulnerabilities—and attackers are taking notice.
Common omnichannel risks include:
- Unsecured APIs connecting back-end systems
- Inconsistent security protocols across channels
- Social media phishing and spoofed storefronts
If your security posture is fragmented across platforms, threat actors will find—and exploit—gaps. Ecommerce businesses need cohesive, end-to-end protections that travel with the customer across every touchpoint.
3. First-Party Fraud is Escalating Through BNPL and Return Abuse
First-party fraud—committed by the customer, not an outsider—is quickly becoming one of the costliest threats in ecommerce. The growth of Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) services has made it easier for individuals to obtain goods with no intent to pay.
Tactics include:
- Refund abuse: claiming items weren’t delivered or were damaged
- Chargeback fraud: disputing valid purchases
- BNPL exploitation: using alternate identities or payment failures to evade repayment
As of 2025, BNPL fraud is expected to exceed $2 billion dollars globally. These threats are difficult to detect because the fraudster often looks like a legitimate buyer. That’s why merchants are increasingly turning to behavioral biometrics and layered identity verification to mitigate these risks.
4. Compliance Requirements Are Tighter Than Ever
Ecommerce companies face growing compliance pressure from both payment security and data privacy frameworks.
Key regulatory updates include:
- PCI DSS v4.0: Enforcement began March 31, 2025, with new technical requirements and expanded scope
- State privacy laws: New regulations from Maryland, Oregon, and New Jersey demand greater transparency and consumer rights
- International data governance: Frameworks like GDPR and the EU AI Act are setting new precedents for digital compliance
These laws impact everything from how you store payment data to how customer preferences are handled across marketing channels. Non-compliance now carries real financial and reputational risks. Proactive audits, vendor compliance checks, and security policy updates are critical for long-term sustainability.
5. Third-Party and Supply Chain Vulnerabilities Are Worsening
Modern ecommerce is built on an ecosystem of third-party vendors—from payment processors and fulfillment partners to plug-ins and cloud infrastructure. But each connection creates a new point of exposure.
Emerging threats include:
- Magecart attacks that inject malicious code into checkout pages via third-party scripts
- Supply chain exploits that compromise trusted integrations
- Insider threats or accidental leaks through vendors
Security experts warn that third-party risk is now one of the top attack vectors in ecommerce. Mitigation strategies include vendor risk management programs, penetration testing, and continuous monitoring of external connections.
Strengthen Your Ecommerce Risk Strategy in 2025
Ecommerce success in 2025 demands more than fast checkout and seamless UX—it requires layered, intelligent cybersecurity that evolves with the threat landscape.
Whether you need to secure payment infrastructure, meet new compliance standards, or manage risk across a growing vendor ecosystem, RSI Security can help. Our team specializes in ecommerce threat mitigation, PCI DSS readiness, and full-stack security services that scale with your business.
Contact RSI Security today to protect your ecommerce future.
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