Category Archives: Tips

In-Store Beacons | Abtek

Bring on the In-Store Beacons

Wondering what all the buzz surrounding in-store beacons is about? Here, we’re tackling the most frequently asked questions that both shoppers and merchants have about this new technology.

What are beacons?

Beacons are Bluetooth-enabled devices that, when placed in stores, communicate with shoppers’ smartphones with the goal of improving shopping experience by sending relevant real-time ads, coupons and more.

A beacon can scan a person’s phone for information about their shopping habits, preferences, history on the store’s website and more. Stores are using this data to send targeted information that users may find useful while shopping.

How is Bluetooth different from NFC?

It’s important to note that the Bluetooth technology used in beacons is different from Near Field Communication (NFC), a hot technology that’s used for making “tap-to-pay” transactions via smartphone. Here’s a look at he major differences between the two data transfer methods:

Bluetooth NFC
Longer range – up to 30ft Shorter range – approximately 4cm
Requires more power Typically consumes little power
Requires users to manually connect Automatically connects in seconds
Works best with minimal interference from other devices Short range makes it ideal for use in more crowded areas

 How do beacons affect shopper behavior?

Let’s say a shopper is walking down the toy aisle looking for Christmas gifts for her son. If her phone is connected to the store’s beacon(s) via Bluetooth, the technology may be able to collect information that she has an eight-year-old son. The beacon will recognize where the shopper is in the store, then respond to the collected data in real-time, sending the customer an advertisement and coupon for Legos, for example. In theory, this personalized, efficient delivery of information will entice the shopper to take advantage of the offer and purchase Legos.

What does this technology mean for merchants?

Beacons will affect stores in two major ways. First, they will improve merchants’ abilities to gather insightful data about their customers’ shopping habits, which will in turn allow stores to tailor their shopping experience to shopper preferences. Second, it will maximize communication between the store and the customer, making the shopping experience more interactive and customized. Think of it like having a showroom sales person in the back pocket of every customer.

How can you use technology to improve the shopping experience?

While beacons are a hot topic, they’re still far from being fully integrated into stores. In the meantime, there are a number of ways that you can use technology to improve the shopping experience for your customers:

  • Upgrade your POS System – If your current POS system doesn’t accept EMV® cards, you could be on the hook for paying for any fraudulent transactions. Plus, many the latest systems include NFC technology, which allows for contactless payments via credit cards and phones.
  • Implement a Mobile Loyalty Program – Consumers are all about mobile these days. Give the people what they want by digitizing your paper-based loyalty program.

To stay up-to-date on the latest happenings in the payment-processing world, follow Abtek on FacebookTwitter and LinkedIn.

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Preventing In-Store Credit Card Fraud this Holiday

With holiday sales projected to increase by 3.7 percent this year, merchants are looking forward to ending 2015 with a bang. But, with the slow adoption of EMV®,  it’s quite possible that the criminals, thieves and frauds could put a damper on your holiday cheer (and profits). The good news is that you can help prevent fraud by taking these key steps:

Look for Abnormal Behavior

Preventing Holiday Fraud | AbtekOf course, there are the obvious tells that someone is doing something they shouldn’t be—they’re in a rush, they won’t make eye contact with you, they seem jittery, etc. But also know that every industry has its own type of clientele with unique buying habits. For example, in the jewelry industry, it’s quite common for customers to negotiate prices. If a customer comes in and has no problem forking over the actual ticket price for a high-priced item, it could be a red flag for fraud. Identify some key behaviors of your typical customers, and use these as a benchmark for identifying fraud moving forward.

Keep Good Records

Keep Receipts | AbtekLet’s say a customer comes in and claims that you charged them for an item they didn’t buy. This scenario could play out in a few ways:

  1. The customer made the purchase, but is running a scam
  2. The cashier made a mistake and rang up an incorrect or duplicate item
  3. The purchase was made with the customer’s stolen credit card (or a fake card with the stolen number)

While it’s important to handle this situation delicately, in case the mistake is on your end, it’s critical to verify the customer’s claims before making a refund. The proof is in the paperwork. This is where organized receipt archives come in handy. Pull up any receipts that are tied to the customer’s credit card. Verify that charge did take place, then take a look at the signature field and compare it with the signature on the customer’s ID. Signed documentation (i.e. receipts) can help you win a dispute against a customer who is trying to take advantage of the chargeback system. If you’re looking at a potential mistake on your end, but the customer signed off on the transaction, it’s up to your discretion whether or not you make the refund. If it turns out that the purchase was made with a stolen card, the liability will fall on the card-issuing bank (as long as all EMV requirements have been met).

Train Your Staff

Fraud Prevention Training | AbtekWe can’t stress enough how important it is that you train your staff on proper processes for handling credit card transactions. Now’s the time—before the holiday sales rush hits full speed—to hold a workshop for your employees on maximizing security and preventing fraud. Not sure where to start? The Abtek Team is here to help. Give us a call today at (800) 544-9145 to discover how we can help you prevent in-store credit card fraud this holiday season.

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Prepare for Holiday Shopping | Abtek

Preparing for the Holiday Shopping Season

The holiday shopping season is quickly approaching, and you know what they say—“It’s the most wonderful time of the year!” As data indicates, this year should be the most profitable yet, with 82% of merchants expecting their holiday sales to increase from the previous year. Make sure that you’re prepared for the boost in customer traffic (and sales) with these four tips.

1. Adopt EMV Now

EMV for the Holidays | AbtekIf you haven’t upgraded your POS equipment to for the new EMV chip cards, it’s time to do so. Accepting EMV technology at your store is critical for ensuring the security of your customers’ payment data. Plus, if a fraudulent charge occurs at your establishment, and the victim had a chip-enabled card, you bear the responsibility of paying for the loss. To minimize potential liability, you’ll want to get this installed quickly, before the holiday rush is in full swing. You will need time to properly train your staff on how to use the new system.

2. Ramp Up Hiring Efforts to Ensure an Enjoyable Shopping Experience

Hire for Holiday Shopping Season | AbtekLines will be longer than usual, aisles will be more crowded, and as always, customers will be in a hurry. Take measures now to ensure that your customers’ shopping experience will be enjoyable, no matter how busy your store gets. Ramp up your hiring efforts so that you can operate smoothly at full capacity. Consider bringing on specialized employees to assist with decorating the store, gift-wrapping, de-icing any slippery conditions outside and other seasonal needs.

3. Make Sure You’re Working with a Payment Processer You Trust

Between the increased customer traffic, extra-large seasonal inventory, and recent changes in payment processing (EMV), things might get a little messy this holiday. When you’re hit with a chargeback, whether “friendly” or not, you’re going to want to be sure that you have a payment processor in place that will fight for you and be available to answer your questions 24/7.

4. Don’t Forget About Gift Cards!

Offer Gift Cards this Holiday | AbtekGift cards continue to be the most asked-for gift item, making the wish list for 62% of shoppers, according to reports from NRF. The average person buying gift cards will spend $172.74. Are you taking advantage of this huge sales opportunity? If you’re still offering paper gift cards, it’s time for an upgrade. Talk to your payment processor about putting a stored value card program in place at your store.

Black Friday will be here before you know it, and if you haven’t begun to prepare, you may already be falling behind the competition. For more tips and tricks on how to prepare for the holiday shopping season, follow Abtek on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn! Or, to learn more about your payment processing options, give us a call at (800) 544-9145.

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How to Use Chip Card | Abtek

6 Easy Steps for Using EMV Chip Cards

The EMV liability shift is now less than three weeks away! Is your business prepared for an influx of chip card-carrying customers? You may have installed new terminals and software, but now what?

If you’ve been to Target recently, you may have noticed that the staff is now actively encouraging all customers who have EMV chip cards to run them the proper way—by dipping them in the terminal, instead of swiping. Now, accepting EMV chip cards is great for your business and even better for customers—but it can be bad for your checkout line wait times if your customers don’t know how to run them properly.

So, now it’s time to train your staff. It’s important for your employees to be patient as millions of Americans learn how to use their new cards. It’s certainly not hard to run an EMV card, but it is a significant change in the way we’re used to paying. It’s a change of habit, and it will take time for the public to become completely comfortable with the new payment process. You can share this infographic with your employees to bring them up to speed on this new-fangled technology. When they understand how to use the terminals, it will be easier for them to explain to customers how to use them as well. Remember, good customer service leads to happy customers! You can see the text-only version of this guide by clicking here.

How to Use EMV Cards | Abtek

 
 

Text-Only Version:

6 Easy Steps for Chip Payments

  1. Examine the terminal – Does it have a portal on the bottom designed to read chips?
  2. If not, slide your card as if you would a regular magnetic stripe card.
  3. If yes, gently insert your card into the terminal—it should be sticking about halfway out.
  4. Leave your card in the terminal as it reads the unique code generated by the chip. You may need to wait for up to 10 seconds for the transaction to complete.
  5. Remove your card, and place it back safely in your wallet or purse.
  6. Sign for the purchase to help verify your identity in the case of fraud. Or, if you are using a debit card, you may need to enter a PIN.

Why the change? EMV chip cards are designed to be significantly more secure than magnetic stripe cards. Because the chip generates a unique code for each transaction, it drastically reduces the risk of a customer’s credit card information being stolen in the event of a data breach.

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Benefits of Stored Loyalty Cards | Abtek

Paper Gift Certificates are SO 1995!

The old school paper gift certificates not only look unprofessional, but they can be easily damaged or lost and their uses are limited. Today’s “stored value cards” have the capability to do so much more. Here’s a look at how this modern gift card system works.

What is a Stored Value Card, Anyway?

A stored value card is a plastic card that looks and functions similarly to a typical debit or credit card. It’s easy to use, fits nicely in consumers’ wallets and can have a number of different functionalities, including:

  • Modern Gift Card | AbtekGift Cards + Prepaid Cards – Today, gift cards are often a gift of choice, giving the receiver the freedom to pick out anything they’d like from a given store. When purchasing a gift card, the buyer can determine the amount of money they’d like to be loaded onto the card, making it an ideal, customizable gift option.
  • Merchandise Return Cards – Allowing customers to return merchandise to your store is great for customer satisfaction, however, it can lead to lost profits if customers are regularly taking advantage of the system. One way that merchants can curb this problem is by offering “store credit” cards, or gift cards that are loaded with the value of the returned item, instead of a full cash refund. This helps to ensure that the money spent in your store stays in your store.
  • Loyalty Cards – Membership cards, frequent shopper cards, and customer discount cards all fall into the loyalty card category. These types of cards help to keep customers coming back by offering some sort of reward for their patronage each time they swipe their card at your register.

The Perks

Gift Card Business Perks | AbtekSo, why should your business jump on board with a stored value card program? There are a number of reasons, but one of the most convincing is the fact that it can significantly increase your profitability. According to GiftCards.com, 72% of consumers spend more than the value on the gift card. That means that you’re making the sale on the gift card, plus more! On top of that, you may be bringing in consumers who might not otherwise frequent your business if they hadn’t received a gift card.

The Future of Gift Cards

It won’t be long before plastic gift cards become a thing of the past. With the increasing popularity of digital wallets, more and more consumers are demanding digital options for spending. But, in the meantime, the important thing is to provide your customers with a reason to return—and a stored value card could be that reason.

Abtek’s FlexCache program features everything businesses need to issue spending credit, from database maintenance to transaction processing to 24/7 helpdesk support. To learn more about Abtek’s stored value card program, visit our website or call us at 1-800-544-9145.

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PaymentsSource: Tami Cohorst Explains How “Social ‘Buy’ Buttons Are More Complex than Just Signing Up”

Abtek VP Tami Cohorst recently appeared in PaymentsSource to discuss the nuances around social “buy now” buttons and what the consequences of this innovation mean for the industry.  Tami explains:

While it can be tempting to integrate “buy now” buttons into a business’s social media campaign, it’s not quite as simple as just “signing up.” There are a lot of logistical challenges that businesses must overcome before they’re able to successfully sell merchandise via social media platforms.

Click here to read more of what she had to say, including the most common challenges business may face as they work to implement this functionality.

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ABT_ElectronicPayment

The People Want Plastic

Gone are the days when “cash-only” was a good business plan. In this day and age, plastic is the payment option of choice. And where there’s plastic, there’s a need for a payment processing system.

Today’s business market is so diverse. Just take a look around; there are quirky startups popping up left and right, ecommerce stores opening their digital doors, and long-standing brick-and-mortar businesses keeping up with the times. With such diversity, how do you know which payment processing solution is right for your business?

Unique Solutions for Unique Businesses

It’s important for business owners to understand all of their options before choosing an electronic payment system in order to select the best one for their company. Here, we’ve outlined some of the tried-and-true electronic payment systems for a variety of types of businesses that can take you in and through the next digital wave.

  • ABT_ElectronicPayment_Icon1If you own a small, in-person business, you may want to consider utilizing mobile payment solutions. These can come in a number of different forms including credit card attachments that connect with your smartphone, mobile terminals and tablet systems. Mobile payment solutions give the cashiers the ability to move freely about the store, interact with customers and conveniently check people out on the spot. Apple, for example, uses mobile payment solutions in its stores. At the end of the day, business owners can simply take the mobile devices home to manage the books and run reports.
  • ABT_ElectronicPayment_Icon2 Larger brick-and-mortar businesses, like grocery stores and more traditional companies, may need more robust, countertop POS terminals. There are a number of different POS terminals available, but the most important thing to know when selecting one is to make sure that it’s EMV card-compliant. Countertop terminals should be easy for customers to use and help to make the transaction process run quickly and efficiently. Newer models feature contactless NFC technology, which allows customers with mobile wallets to make payments with a simple tap of their smartphone!
  • ABT_ElectronicPayment_Icon3Online-only businesses will need to implement digital shopping carts with secure payment gateways. There’s a long list of payment gateways available to fit different online business’s unique needs. When selecting an online payment gateway, it’s critical to choose one with strong security features. The last thing you want to deal with is a data breach!

Making the Upgrade

All of these types of businesses have unique payment processing needs, but they all have one thing in common: The need to process credit cards. If you’re not sure what type of payment system is right for your business, give Abtek a call today at (800) 544-9145. Our team of experts is here to help you navigate through the complex world of credit card processing.


Stay updated on payment processing trends by following Abtek on Twitter and Facebook. Sign up to receive our newsletter, too.

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5 Signs It’s Time to Upgrade Your POS System

An outdated point-of-sale (POS) system may not only be holding your business back, but endangering your customers as well. Many retailers, however, are reluctant to upgrade their payment processing systems and terminals because of the resources (i.e. money, time) required to do so.

“Every two to three years a big change emerges in retailing. Every four years in-store processes change. But retailers only change their POS every seven to 10 years. POS has become a big problem retailers need to solve,” said Leo Suarez of Toshiba Global Commerce.

While it’s easy to simply stick with the familiar, failing to switch to new POS technology can have serious consequences such as slower transactions, lack of usability and lost profits. In addition, if your POS system is behind the times, it’s very likely that you are putting your customer’s data at risk.

No business owner wants to spend unnecessary time or money, so how do you know when you really need to upgrade your business’s POS system? Here are the top five signs that indicate it’s time for an update:

1. It’s Not EMV-Compliant

By now you’ve probably heard about the rapidly approaching EMV liability shift. If your business isn’t equipped EMV-compliant POS systems by October 1, you will be liable for out-of-pocket coverage of losses due to fraudulent transactions. It’s critical for your business to update its POS system before the liability shift to ensure that you’re safe from these new costly consequences.

ABT_Upgrade-POS_TILES_12. It’s Not Customer-Friendly

Today’s shoppers are very tech-savvy and many don’t need any guidance on how to use POS systems. But, when your terminals aren’t functioning properly or aren’t integrated with a user-friendly software program, your customers will get easily frustrated–and unhappy customers are bad for business.

3. It’s a Standalone System

If your business has a standalone POS system, it’s probably perpetually outdated. Since this type of POS requires time-consuming manual software and hardware upgrades, it is extremely easy for business owners to let the technology slide. And once the technology gets so far behind, the cost to upgrade increases exponentially. An integrated solution, on the other hand, allows for software updates to be pushed through automatically, without requiring new hardware or much effort on the business’s end.

ABT_Upgrade-POS_TILES_24. Its Quirks are Just Getting Out of Hand

Sick and tired of that coupon button not working? Fed up with your POS system’s tendency to shut of in the middle of a transaction? Save yourself the headache of dealing with these little “quirks” and invest in a new system–you’ll be amazed by how less stressed you feel, and how much time you’ll save!

5. It Doesn’t Align with Your Needs

Businesses are continually evolving, so your POS system should be flexible in order to meet your changing needs. Since your business will likely need to update your POS system due to the EMV liability shift, take this opportunity to pick out a system that will accommodate your needs several years down the road.

If your business is experiencing any of the above signs, it’s time for you to upgrade your POS system. Embrace the change! If you aren’t sure where to start, give us a call–we’re more than happy to help walk you through your POS system options and help you understand the updating process.


Stay updated on payment processing trends by following Abtek on Twitter and Facebook. Sign up to receive our newsletter, too.

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ABT_Sustainability

Go Green! 5 Ways to Make Your Payment Processing Methods More Sustainable

On Wednesday, April 22, more than 192 countries across the globe will celebrate the 45th annual Earth Day, an event that promotes awareness and support of environmental protection.

As a business owner, you may have already taken steps to make your business more environmentally-friendly, like installing CFL or LED light bulbs, or setting up a recycling program, but did you know that your business could go even greener by extending sustainability to your payment processing?

In conjunction with Earth Day, we’ve got five helpful tips for how your business can make your payment processing methods more eco-friendly.

1. Switch to Digital Receipts

In the near future, printed receipts will be a thing of the past. In 2012, 35 percent of retailers offered digital receipts, and that percentage is expected to continue to grow with the advancement of digital and mobile payment solutions. Not only do paperless receipts help the environment, but they also save your business money and provide convenience for customers.

ABT_Sustainability_TILES_12. Protect Your Customers’ Data, Protect the Environment

Did you know that when your employees write down customers’ credit card numbers, you could be putting their data at risk? According to one study, out of the top 100 chain restaurants, 80% have at least one employee who writes down credit card numbers. Not only does this practice violate PCI guidelines and increase the chances of a data breach, but it’s also a waste of paper. Instead, employees should enter the data directly into your secure payment processing system. If you do end up with paper documents containing sensitive credit card information, be sure to shred and recycle them as soon as possible.

3. Integrate Tablets Into Your Business

By implementing cloud-based Tablet Solutions into your business, you can manage your business from anywhere, potentially minimizing extra trips to the office and reducing your gas usage. Additionally, with Tablet Solutions, you can avoid printing spreadsheets of financial summaries or inventory manifests.

ABT_Sustainability_TILES_24. If You Have to Print, Do it Smartly

Simply put, don’t print things that don’t need to be printed! According to Preton, the average employee prints six unnecessary pages per day. When you do need to print, however, use paper that has maximum recycled content to help reduce your business’s carbon footprint. If your printer has the capability to print double-sided, do so and instead of throwing away paper that’s been printed on one side, use it for scrap paper or for printing drafts.

5. Recycle responsibly

When your outdated processing equipment and terminals kick the bucket, don’t just throw them away—donate or sell them to an electronic recycling facility. These terminals contain data that can be breached if they’re not disposed of properly. Also, electronic equipment often contains materials that can become toxic when dumped in a landfill. These recycling facilities salvage the parts they can for resale and properly disassemble the others for safe disposal.

Implementing more environmentally sustainable practices in your business doesn’t have to happen all at once. Start by making small changes, and get your employees involved! A big part of making your business more eco-friendly has to do with creating a culture of sustainability, and sticking with it. And there’s no better time to start than Earth Day 2015!


Stay updated on payment processing trends by following Abtek on Twitter and Facebook. Sign up to receive our newsletter, too.

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8 High-Risk Purchases You’re Probably Making With a Debit Card

ABT_Risky-Purchases_ICON_1As we’ve become a more cashless society, it’s almost second nature for business owners to take out a debit card whenever they need to make a quick every day purchase. But what are the security risks of choosing to pay this way?

With credit cards, one can simply dispute any fraudulent charges and not pay the bill. But debit cards take the money directly from your checking account. There are many business purchases that can leave your debit card—and by extension, your business account—vulnerable to security attacks. Following are eight of the riskiest purchases you can make with a debit card.

1. Buying online. Any online purchases can leave your business account open to hackers. This is true not only of strictly online companies, such as Amazon—which puts significant effort into their cyber-security, but traditional stores with an online presence as well, such as poorly protected Target and Home Depot.

ABT_Risky-Purchases_ICON_22. Delayed delivery and merchant disputes. Federal law gives you 48 hours from the time a charge is made to dispute it. But business transactions can sometimes be pending for a significantly longer window of time. Because you may not have physically received the item at your business yet, or it’s damaged when it finally does arrive, too much time will have passed and it becomes much more difficult to ever recoup the loss.

3. Expensive big-ticket items. Many credit card companies offer additional warranties and insurance, as well as added protection against an item not showing up or working incorrectly. Debit cards do not offer this same level of protection, which is necessary when buying expensive electronics or renting a car.

4. Dining out. When you’re at a restaurant for a business lunch, the server may take your debit card out of your line of sight, opening the door for fraudulent activity. Restaurants also assume you’ll leave a tip, so they authorize your card for more than your bill, freezing your funds until that larger amount clears.

ABT_Risky-Purchases_ICON_35. Outdoor ATMs. Need to withdraw a few smaller bills for your register outside of regular bank hours? Outdoor ATMs are unmonitored most of the time, so it’s easy for someone to add a “skimmer” to the card reader. It looks like a regular card reader, but it’s storing your card data for cyber thieves.

6. Future travel. Similar to delayed delivery, your card may be charged well in advance of your business trip. Hotels will often store card data for months before your actual travel dates, leaving your account vulnerable.

7. Gas stations. This is another location where it’s really easy to add a skimmer to a legitimate card reader. Be careful of how you choose to pay at the pump while on traveling for business.

ABT_Risky-Purchases_ICON_48. Recurring payments. We’ve all dealt with memberships that charge obnoxious fees for cancelling a service, whether it’s a magazine, organization membership or similar business expense. It’s much easier to dispute a credit card, and doing so won’t impact your checking account balance.

For transactions such as the ones outline above, a credit card may be a much safer bet—it will leave your business account in tact and provide additional security and protection from potential fraud. After all, the last thing you need as a business owner is a giant headache from your checking account being compromised or your funds being frozen.


Stay updated on payment processing trends by following Abtek on Twitter and Facebook. Sign up to receive our newsletter, too.

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