Electronic commerce system and method for detecting fraud

A method performed by an electronic commerce system having a server and an end user machine interacting through a network during an electronic commerce transaction, the method comprising steps of:

• receiving user-entered information via the network including an electronic purchase order for a product within the electronic commerce system;
• and
• determining a fraud ranking that indicates a likelihood that the electronic purchase order is attempted fraud based upon a user's real-time interaction with the electronic commerce system during a transaction to process the electronic purchase order selected from a group consisting of:
• (i) an attempt to change information in the electronic purchase order detected by a comparison of a snapshot of information about the electronic purchase order taken after the purchase order has been submitted for processing by the system, and (ii) a user's path of progression through web pages associated with submitting the electronic purchase order.

An article of manufacture including instructions stored on a medium for controlling an electronic commerce system having a server and an end user machine interacting through a network during an electronic commerce transaction, the medium comprising:

• a software module configured to receive user-entered information via the network including an electronic purchase order for a product within the electronic commerce system;
• and
• a fraud detection software module configured to be active during electronic commerce transactions and further configured to determine a fraud ranking that indicates a likelihood that the electronic purchase order is attempted fraud based upon a user's real-time interaction with the electronic commerce system during a transaction to process the electronic purchase order selected from a group consisting of:
• (i) an attempt to change information in the electronic purchase order detected by a comparison of a snapshot of information about the electronic purchase order taken after the purchase order has been submitted for processing by the system, and (ii) a user's path of progression through web pages associated with submitting the electronic purchase order.