How Registered Email Helps Businesses Win Chargeback Disputes

Businesses spend a significant amount of resources every year on preventing online fraud. However, the ability to prevent unjustified chargebacks remains complex, since there is no way of knowing in advance if a cardholder will later submit a fraudulent claim.

In Spain, e-commerce has been growing steadily in recent years. According to the Spanish Economic and Social Council (CES), turnover in 2016 increased by 23.3% over 2015, reaching almost €22 billion, with 40% of Spaniards shopping online regularly.

But as online shopping grows, so does fraud. Although official figures are not available, studies estimate that fraud accounts for 0.5 to 1% of annual turnover. This means that Spanish e-commerce companies lose more than €100 million each year due to unjustified chargebacks and other forms of fraud.

One of the most common types is friendly fraud, where a person makes a legitimate purchase online but later claims they never made it and requests a chargeback from their bank.

Obtaining proof of purchase confirmations

To avoid these unjustified chargebacks, Europe’s leading travel agency has chosen eEvidence to certify all the purchase confirmations (bookings) it sends to customers by email.

Through the registered email service of eEvidence, the company obtains irrefutable proof of those communications. If a fraudulent chargeback arises, this evidence can be presented to card networks such as Visa or Mastercard to confirm the validity of the online transaction.

Over a six-month period, and after registering several million booking emails, the agency managed to double its chargeback recovery rate, significantly improving profitability and strengthening its reputation with both card issuers and shareholders.

FAQs about Registered Email and Chargebacks

What is friendly fraud in e-commerce?
It happens when a consumer makes a legitimate purchase but later denies it, requesting a refund from the bank through a chargeback without justification.

Why is email certification effective against chargebacks?
Because it provides immutable evidence of the confirmation email, including the content, attachments, timestamps, and proof of delivery, which can be presented to dispute fraudulent claims.

Can registered email replace traditional registered letters or burofax?
Yes. A registered email provides the same probative value and legal validity, but with significant advantages: it is faster, cheaper, scalable, and environmentally friendly.

Is registered email accepted by Visa and Mastercard?
Yes. Card networks accept certified communications such as registered email as valid evidence in chargeback disputes, provided the authenticity and integrity of the email are guaranteed.

Conclusion: Protect your business with registered email

Unjustified chargebacks cost e-commerce millions every year. By using registered email to certify purchase confirmations, businesses gain the solid evidence needed to dispute fraudulent claims, recover lost revenue, and strengthen trust with customers and financial institutions.

At eEvidence, we help companies worldwide protect their communications with the most advanced, reliable, and cost-effective registered email service.