Return Fraud Is Rampant Thanks to Free Shipping, Customer Behavior

Many everyday Americans are surprisingly comfortable with forms of minor fraud — like refund abuse, coupon misuse, or falsely reporting a package as missing — that collectively cost businesses over $100 billion annually. This article explores the mindset behind these “low-stakes” deceptions, often rationalized as harmless or justified by corporate profits. It’s a revealing look at how shifting cultural attitudes and consumer frustrations are blurring ethical lines in the digital age.