When the Stripe Won’t Swipe

• Check the card terminal to be sure it’s working properly. If the terminal is okay and the problem appears to be with the magnetic stripe, follow procedures for a key-entered transaction.
• Be sure to check the card security features and match signatures.
• Check the card’s “good thru” date to be sure the card hasn’t expired.
• Get a manual imprint of the card and ask the customer to sign the imprinted sales draft.
• Compare the signature on the card with the signature of the sales draft to be sure they match. Do not accept an unsigned card.

If the care isn’t there, be more aware!  Avoid fraud on mail order, telephone and internet transactions.

• Ask the customer for the card expiration date and include it in your authorization request. An invalid or missing expiration date can be an indicator that the person on the other end does not have the actual card in hand.
• Use fraud detection tools like the Address Verification Service (AVS) and Card Verification Value 2 (CVV2) as part of the authorization process.  To order the Merchant Guide to AVS or the Merchant Guide to CVV2, call 1.800.VISA.311 or visit www.visa.com/merchant
• Be on the lookout for questionable transaction data or other signs indicating “out of pattern” orders.

If you suspect fraud:

• Ask the customer for day/evening phone numbers then call the customer with any questions
• Ask for additional information (e.g. bank name on the card)
• Separately confirm the order by sending a note via the customer’s billing address rather than the “ship to” address.

Take the Order, but Don’t be Taken

Never ship a valuable order unless it checks out and has been authorized. Know the signs of possible fraud when the card is not present.

Be alert for transactions with several of the following characteristics:

• First time shopper
• Larger than normal orders
• Orders consisting of several of the same item
• Orders made up of “big ticket” items
• Orders shipped “rush” or “overnight”
• Orders shipped to an international address.

Maintain a customer database or account history to track buying patterns and compare individual sales for indicators of possible fraud:

• Orders shipped to a single address but made on multiple cards
• Multiple transactions on one card or similar cards with a single billing address, but multiple shipping addresses
• Multiple cards used from a single IP address
• Never ship a valuable order unless everything checks out and you’ve received valid authorization.

Other Warning Signs of Fraud

Certain customer behavior could point to bankcard fraud, but remember, it’s doesn’t always indicate criminal activity. You know your customers, so let your instincts steer you in the right direction.

Watch out for customers who:

• Purchase al lot of merchandise without regards to size, color, style or price.
• Ask no questions on major purchases
• Try to distract you during the sale
• Make purchases, leave the store, and return to make more purchases
• Make large purchases right at opening or just before closing
• Refuse delivery for large items

As always, if you see signs that make you suspicious:

• Hold on to the customers card if you think you can do so safely.
• Follow your company’s procedures and notify your supervisor
• Call your voice authorization center and request a “Code 10” authorization, using a normal tone of voice. An operator will tell you what to do.

If something makes you suspicious, always trust your instincts. Be polite to the customer but decline their sale or ask for another form of payment while apologizing for the inconvenience. It’s always better to be safe than sorry, especially on large purchases! For more information on how to get low cost merchant account services for your business and begin card payment processing, contact Aliant Payments today at 866.502.4831 or online at www.aliantpayments.com

PAYware Mobile

How it works: When you’re ready to make a sale, simply swipe the card through the sleeve. Integrated technology transmits the information directly to the PAYware Mobile app on your iPhone screen where the charges can be verified and processed. The iPhones touch-sensitive screen allows you to accept the cardholders signature, making this the ultimate hassle-free solution for mobile payment processing. Did we mention that the app can even email the customer a reciept?

Why you need it: PAYware Mobile is perfect for todays busy, on-the-go business. There’s no need for carbon copies, manual entries, written charges or any of those old methods of so-called “mobile processing”. With PAYware Mobile, funds are verified and charges are processed right on the spot, in real time. It’s that simple, and there’s nothing else needed. PAYware Mobile provides truly unlimited payment acceptance, wherever you take your iPhone.

How to get it: For more information on PAYware Mobile or to begin acepting mobile card payments today, conact Aliant Payment Systems at www.aliantpayments.com or by phone at 866.502.4831

Aliant Payment Systems, Inc.

As long as you have an Internet connection, you can turn a PC into a point-of-sale (POS) device and process transactions from nearly any location. Simply log-in to the Virtual Terminal and we house all cardholder information for quick processing and maximum security.

The Challenge:
Whether entering sales transactions through a single PC or a large call center, traditional Point-of-Sale software applications have created as many challenges as they have benefits. Most of these traditional solutions are cumbersome and costly, requiring software installation, continual upgrades and individual licenses for each PC running the solution. In addition, storing cardholder data represents a serious liability.

The Solution:
With just a user ID and password, you can log in to the Global Gateway Virtual Terminal and begin processing
transactions from almost anywhere with an Internet connection. You can grant access to as many employees as you like, without needing to install additional software or purchase additional licenses. All batches and cardholder data are stored with us – not on the individual PC – so you don’t need to worry about data storage. This solution also gives you full reporting capabilities and support for a catalog of up to 200 items and you can easily set-up recurring or installment billing.

Here’s How It Works:
The Global Gateway Virtual Terminal is Internet based and requires no software to install. Once you log in, you are ready to accept payments. And administrative users are able to grant access to any number of users, who can then immediately begin taking orders and accepting credit and debit cards in addition to electronic checks. This solution also has an easy interface so training is minimal, and our online support is always on call.

Features:

• Full transaction processing
• Support for all major card types
• Easy-to-use interface
• Fraud protection tools
• Real-time reports
• Online support help
• Customizable receipts
• Automatic sales tax calculator*
• Account manager to add or remove users
• Support for up to 200-item product catalog
• 128-bit Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) for greater security

* Only in United States version

Help Your Business:

• Complete transactions from any
• Internet-ready PC
• Grant transaction capability to any number of users
• Schedule recurring billing
• Eliminate software installations, upgrades, and system maintenance
• Reduce your risk since we maintain cardholder data
• Complete nightly batch and settlement from any location

Help Your Customers:

• Quickly process orders
• Provide multiple payment options
• Keep credit card information secure

Contact Aliant Payment Systems today for information on obtaining your own virtual terminal. Call 866-502-4831 or visit online at www.aliantpayments.com

Of consumers surveyed at those restaurants, 87% said they had a “high” sense of security using a tableside payment terminal, implying they approved of the card not leaving their sight to complete the transaction, according to San Jose, Calif.-based VeriFone.

Contact Aliant Payment Systems for more information at 866-502-4831  or www.aliantpayments.com

Since June 2008, CFSI has released limited results from the study, including a definitive number and description of the national underbanked population: 106 million U.S. adults – 40 million households – who are financially underserved, either lacking a bank account or regularly using non-traditional financial services to meet their financial needs.

The CFSI Underbanked Consumer Study profiles eight distinct segments of the underbanked population. For example, the largest segment of the underbanked population is the Next Wave, representing approximately 23% of the underbanked—a total of 24 million consumers. The Next Wave is the youngest
segment with 52% between ages 18-34. Because this group generally has no bank account but is highly entrepreneurial with a strong ambition for the future, CFSI suggests the following strategies for reaching the Next Wave:

• Use transaction services to upsell into prepaid cards.
• Offer links to small business services, financial advice and credit-building services.
• Invest long-term, as this group has big plans for the future.
• Lenders trying to reach this group should provide small dollar, revolving credit and need to calibrate underwriting to new/infrequent borrowers.

“The CFSI Underbanked Consumer Study is a big leap forward in understanding these customers, and provides a crucial building block in constructing successful long-term relationships with them,” says Jennifer Tescher, Director of CFSI. ”Our experience working with national, regional and community level institutions has shown us that better customer information leads to better results.”

CFSI employs its wealth of industry knowledge and solid strategic advice to add depth and value to the results of this study, including specific recommendations for product development, risk management, and marketing and distribution strategies for each of the eight segments.

In addition to strategic advice, cross-tabs analyzing financial behavior and attitudes for groups of underbanked consumers based on age, gender, household income, ethnicity, employment status, marital status, banking status, behavioral segmentation and analysis of the credit scores of different groups of underbanked consumers are available for purchase.

The CFSI Underbanked Consumer study was co-sponsored by four companies, including Citi, H&R Block, and MasterCard. CFSI and these sponsors commissioned Experian Simmons to conduct a national segmentation analysis of underbanked consumers according to their attitudes, behaviors, preferences, needs and experiences. The findings are a result of a survey of 2,799 underbanked respondents, representative of the U.S. adult population.

If you’re interested in learning more or how to obtain this industry knowledge, contact Aliant Payment Systems today at 866-502-4831 or visit online at www.aliantpayments.com

The new NCR APTRA Mobile Passport solution compliments the APTRA Commercial Passport, remote deposit capture software that allows deposits using check scanners from their businesses directly to the financial institution or via online banking web site.

“NCR will offer the convenience of ImageNet Mobile Deposit to its existing bank and financial institution customers and commercial accounts, providing mobile workers and professionals with a valuable tool to conduct check deposits right from their mobile phone,” said James DeBello, president and CEO, Mitek Systems.

To learn how you can save time and money with the added convenience of mobile check deposit, contact Aliant Payment Systems today at www.aliantpayments.com or by calling 866-502-4831.

View transactions in real time through Transaction Manager or on the device

Contact Aliant Payment Services to learn more about increasing your sales with wireless processing!

Our unique Enhanced software solution you can save $100’s or $1000’s per year for your business. In fact, we’re so confident of our claims that if we cannot show you a way of saving at least 25% of your processing, we will pay you $1,000!

For more information contact Aliant Payment Sytems today!

What is it?

The MasterCard Property Management System works by offering a special program to property management companies which allows tenants to make rent payments via their MasterCard.  Depending on the individual system, payments could be made online, by phone, or by recurring payment each month.

What are the benefits?

Tenants will benefit from the system because electronic payments are favorable to consumers, especially for fixed, recurring amounts on a monthly or quarterly basis. It offers a new payment option that enhances ease of payment. The tenant also has the chance to earn rewards points and other benefits that may be offered to cardholders. No extra fees are charged to process the payment.

On behalf of the property management company, the typical benefits are the simplification of the payment process and an increase in efficiency for the company overall. Considering that some tenants travel frequently, others make late payments for a number of reasons, checks take days to clear and even longer if there is a banking issue; you can clearly already see the advantages that are offered by accepting card payments. Instead of receiving checks throughout the month in a seemingly never ending cycle of collections, deposits and bookkeeping; you have the ability to entice your tenants into a recurring payment option which enhances the opportunity to collect a larger amount of rent payments all at once – not to mention in a quicker and more secure fashion than ever before.

The time and resources that can be saved by implementing card payments easily covers the cost of the program itself and also allows for employee time to be spent more efficiently on more profitable tasks.

How do I sign up?

Signing up is easy. As long as you’re a company whose primary focus is rentals and/or property management of residential and commercial property, you are eligible. This includes real estate agents and brokers, managers and apartment services personnel.

For more information or to begin accepting MasterCard payments for rent and other tenant related costs, visit Aliant Payment Systems, Inc. at www.aliantpayments.com or by calling direct at 866.502.4831 at anytime.