Global chargeback prevention specialist Chargebacks911 has issued an alert to merchants and payment providers about an anticipated spike in transaction disputes following this year's Lunar New Year celebrations.
The warning comes as the festival, which began on February 17, drives massive consumer spending across Asia-Pacific markets and international e-commerce platforms. Last year's Spring Festival period generated over 9 billion domestic trips in China alone, with tourism revenue reaching RMB 677 billion ($93 billion) during the core holiday week. Cross-border travel bookings surged 30% year-over-year.
According to Monica Eaton, Founder and CEO of Chargebacks911, the spending patterns mirror those of Western shopping peaks like Black Friday, creating conditions ripe for post-holiday disputes. "Purchases happen rapidly, often across international borders, and multiple family members may share payment credentials," Eaton explained. "These factors naturally elevate dispute risk in the weeks following the celebration."
The company identifies four primary chargeback triggers during this period: cross-border fulfillment complications leading to "item not received" claims, confusion from shared family payment accounts, impulsive gift purchases resulting in buyer's remorse, and seasonal fraud schemes targeting holiday generosity.
Chargebacks911 recommends merchants implement transparent shipping timelines, proactive delivery notifications, recognizable billing descriptors, and enhanced customer service capacity to mitigate the expected dispute wave.
"Lunar New Year represents significant commercial opportunity, but merchants must prepare for the dispute cycle that follows major shopping events," Eaton noted.