The Processing Blog

Unembossed Cards

Laurie Henry — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 13:47:35 +0000

An unembossed credit card is a card where the numbers on the card are not raised like a normal card. Instead, the card is perfectly flat, with all text just printed on the card. There are many of these cards out now. This eliminates the merchant’s ability to manually imprint the credit card.

Visa is advising that face-to-face merchants only accept unembossed cards if they can be electronically read. Since an imprint cannot be taken, the merchant is more susceptible to chargebacks.

Effective July 1, 2010, revisions to the Visa International Operating Regulations have been approved that require face-to-face transactions with unembossed cards to be a zero floor limit when the card cannot be electronically read, regardless of any higher floor limit for the merchant category (SIC code).

What does this mean for you? The consumer and the merchant may continue to use/accept unembossed credit cards as long as it can be electronically read through a card reader. If the magnetic strip is compromised, the merchant will be forced to reject the credit card.

If you have any questions about this or other processing issues, please call our office at 800-993-8942.

Credit Card Security

Laurie Henry — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 20:19:48 +0000

As data breaches continue to become a more prominent issue, Visa and MasterCard have placed an added importance on security and PCI compliance. One common security breach that can occur is credit card skimming. Credit card skimming is the theft of credit card information as it is swiped through a point of sale device. Usually a small electronic device is inserted into a POS device that will record all of the transaction data that is being transmitted. This information is normally retrieved at a later time by a dishonest employee or by someone who has access to the POS device.

The Payment Card Industry Security Standards Council (PCI SSC) has created a list of best practices for merchants to protect themselves from this crime.These practices include:

Regularly inspect terminals visually to identify anything abnormal, such as missing or altered seals or screws, extraneous wiring, holes in the device, or the addition of labels or other covering material that could be used to mask damage from device tampering.
Physically secure terminals and PIN pads to counters in order to prevent removal, and physically secure cable connections.
Physically secure stored terminals awaiting deployment, and periodically validate the on-hand inventory against asset records.
Use terminal asset tracking procedures for devices deployed, devices awaiting deployment, devices under repair and devices in transit to location.
Validate the identity of repair technicians. Unauthorized or unexpected service personnel should be denied access. Authorized and validated repair technicians should be escorted and monitored.
Periodically weigh the equipment and compare it to vendors’ specification weight to identify the insertion of bugging devices.

If you have any questions about this, please contact us at 800-993-8942 or email info@ubcse.com.

PAYware Mobile iPhone FREE Card Reader program ending soon

Laurie Henry — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 13:45:01 +0000

The VeriFone PAYware Mobile FREE Card Reader Program is ending on July 15, 2010. This gives you all one more week to take advantage of the free card reader program. It works with your iPhone. After July 15, the card reader cost $159. Call 800-993-8942 for information and setup.

Free Casio Electronic Cash Register

Laurie Henry — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 23:54:51 +0000

ECR Retail

We are now offering this state-of-the-art cash register (ECR) with integrated credit card processing to deliver the ultimate payment solution, completely free of charge!

This integrated technology is the first of its kind and eliminates the need for a separate credit card terminal at your business location. You will now have the ability to handle all transactions directly through this advanced ECR.

This ECR is designed specifically for the retail and hospitality environment with customized keys to meet your operational needs. It’s PCI PED compliant, use Dial-up or Ethernet connection, drop and load thermal printer and stores up to 2,000 PLU numbers.

Free Check Imager Now Available

Laurie Henry — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 10:26:24 +0000

Free Check Imager Now Available

United Bank Card is pleased to announce that the “RDM EC6000i Check Imager” is now available to UBC merchants completely free of charge. This state of the art check reader offers industry leading MICR and image technology in a compact design with a small footprint. Compatible with the Verifone Vx510, Hypercom T4220/T4210, Nurit 8500, Nurit 8320 and numerous other terminals, the EC6000i gives merchants the opportunity to take advantage of check conversion and check guarantee. Check usage is on the rise again and you never have to worry about losing money on bad checks.

Interested in adding check services to your merchant account?
Email info@ubcse.com or call me at 1-800-993-8942.

Understanding Processing Fees

Laurie Henry — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 21:57:41 +0000

Do you ever wonder why you are being charged extra fees for processing credit cards? These fees are called Mid-Qualified or Non-Qualified fees and you could be paying an additional 2-3% more just because the way you (or another worker) runs credit card payments through your terminal. Some merchant accounts are not setup correctly either, which could make ALL your transactions downgrade.

Swiped accounts should be setup to auto-batch every day. If swiped transactions are not cleared within 24 hours of authorization, they are no longer “qualified” and you are charged a higher rate. Keyed or ecommerce accounts should be batched within two days of authorization and you must perform an AVS (Address Verification) on the zip code. If you don’t do this, the transaction is no longer qualified.

Although, these are processing guidelines to achieve a qualified transaction, the type of credit card can determine whether it becomes a “non-qualified” transaction even if you do your part as described above. Rewards cards and business credit cards are considered non-qualified cards and are charged the higher rate.

Be very careful about doing business with sales people that are only interested in making some upfront commission on your account as they usually do not provide any customer service after they have setup your merchant account. They do not have your best interest in mind.

Don’t be enticed to accept the lowest rate either. That low rate may be a teaser rate that you will never see. For instance, if you compare a rate of 1.65% to 2.19%, the lower rate seems like the way to go, right? But if you take orders over the phone or Internet, you will never pay the lower rate, you will always be charged the mid-qualified rate stated on your contract. This mid-qualified rate is usually .70%-1.35% higher (i.e. 2.35%-3.0%). However, your merchant acccount should be setup as a MOTO (mail order telephone order) account, not a Retail account. The MOTO account qualified rate of 2.19% is lower than the mid-qualified rate example. If you are not working with a reputable Account Manager, this could cost you a lot of extra money in fees.

I hope this information is helpful. If you have any questions or comments about this post, please contact me. I will be happy to do a free statement analysis of your merchant account and tell you how I can lower your fees. I also provide personal customer service for all my accounts and our corporate office provides 24/7 customer service and technical support.

Have questions?
Please email info@ubcse.com or call me at 1-800-993-8942

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DialPay update

Laurie Henry — Wed, 13 May 2009 16:02:24 +0000

Beginning April 28, 2009, United Bank Card will enhance its DialPay product offering by implementing a mandatory zip code prompt preceding the merchant number entry. The zip code entered must match the 5-digit zip code of the DBA address. If a match does not occur, the merchant will be transferred to a live operator for additional validation. This recent enhancement is a result of the commitment United Bank Card has to the safety of any and all transaction data received.

Have questions?
Please email info@ubcse.com or call me at 1-800-993-8942

Mobile processing with your iPhone now available!

Laurie Henry — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 12:00:41 +0000

Well now you iPhone users can turn your phone into a mobile virtual terminal for charging customers’ credit cards. It’s a new app uniquely named “Credit Card Terminal”. No special hardware required, just your iPhone (or iPod Touch with the 2.0 firmware update).

Excited yet?

Credit Card Terminal transmits credit card information directly to Authorize.Net. All transactions are protected with SSL encryption. Credit Card Terminal does not store credit card numbers after the transmission is complete. The iPhone app is $49.95 and your merchant account and Authorize.net account will total $20 per month. Processing fees are additional.

Have questions?
Please email info@ubcse.com or call me at 1-800-993-8942
Monday to Friday, 9am–5pm Eastern Time

UBC adds to free terminal program

Laurie Henry — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 19:29:08 +0000

Nurit 8000 wireless

UBC recently updated their Free Terminal Program. Wireless, land line and IP terminals are included. The launch of this expanded initiative gives UBC the most diverse selection of free terminal options available from any processor. This offer is for new merchants only.

UBC warrants the terminals for the life of service which is really awesome cause you never have to purchase another terminal if yours goes on the blink.

I pay a $50 referral fee! If you know anyone who needs a new merchant account, please email info@ubcse.com or call me at 1-800-993-8942.

PCI Compliance Update

Laurie Henry — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 23:19:30 +0000

There has been a lot of negative publicity recently surrounding the Heartland Payment Systems and RBS Worldpay security breaches and their subsequent removal from Visa/Mastercard’s Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) list of compliant processors. We want to assure you that United Bank Card has maintained all PCI DSS requirements and has continuously sustained its listing as a compliant processor. UBC has implemented numerous measures to ensure the continued security of our merchants and these positive measures have been acknowledged by the PCI Security Standards Council with our inclusion on this list.

If you have any questions regarding PCI compliance, please email me at info@ubcse.com.
View list here: PCI DSS list