Tag Archives: payment processing

Tips

Preparing for the Holiday Shopping Season

November 5, 2015 Abtek Leave a comment

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

If 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

Lines 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!

Gift 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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EMV® Cards

EMV Equipment Guide

September 23, 2015 Abtek Leave a comment

By now, if you haven’t updated your payment equipment to be compatible with EMV chip cards, you’re already a step behind. But, don’t fret—if you own a small business, there’s still time to get new terminals before the liability shift hits on October 1. This late in the game, it will actually be tough to find a new point of sale system that isn’t compatible with EMV chip cards. That’s good news for you because it will make your search easier, plus you’ll have a wide selection of options. We’ve put together a guide to help you determine which type of EMV terminal is right for your business.

What Exactly is an EMV-Compatible POS System?

An EMV terminal differs from traditional magnetic stripe terminals in one major way: it includes a chip-reading portal into which customers insert their EMV cards. This portal features technology that can read the unique payment information that’s generated by the microchip embedded into the card.

What are Your Options?

Different types of businesses have different needs when it comes to payment processing. Here’s a look at the most popular types of EMV-compatible terminals available.

Countertop Terminals – Like their name implies, countertop terminals are placed on top of the checkout counter for customer use. These terminals are available with a number of different features including WiFi connectivity, receipt printing, near-field communication technology and more.
Pin Pads – Pin pads function similarly to countertop terminals. The only difference here is that they can only be used to process debit transactions, which typically have lower fees for the merchant. Often, pin pads are used in conjunction with compatible countertop terminals.
Near-Field Communication Peripherals – NFC is a technology that enables wireless data transfers between two devices in close proximity, often a phone or enabled credit card and a credit card terminal. NFC is kind of like a modern, cool “bonus” feature that can help to speed up the payment process. If the technology is not already embedded into the terminal, peripheral equipment is available.
Wireless Mobile Terminals – Mobile terminals will be key for businesses in the restaurant industry and businesses that interact with their customers on the floor. (Think Apple.) These point-of-sale systems are battery-powered, feature wireless connectivity and give the merchant the freedom to process payments from anywhere.

Where Can You Buy an EMV Credit Card Terminal?

If you work with a reputable merchant services provider (MSP), they’ll have a large inventory of EMV terminals for you to choose from. They’ll take care of all of the programming for you to ensure that it works properly in time for the liability shift. While you could technically purchase a terminal from an outside seller, it would still need to be reprogramed by your MSP, so it’s typically easier and more cost-effective to go directly through your provider.

Don’t Delay – Get Started Now!

Contact your merchant services provider today to place your order for new EMV-compatible terminals. The sooner you take action, the better the chances that you’ll get through this EMV transition chargeback- and fee-free!

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EMV® Cards, Tips

6 Easy Steps for Using EMV Chip Cards

September 14, 2015 Abtek Leave a comment

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.

Text-Only Version:

6 Easy Steps for Chip Payments

Examine the terminal – Does it have a portal on the bottom designed to read chips?
If not, slide your card as if you would a regular magnetic stripe card.
If yes, gently insert your card into the terminal—it should be sticking about halfway out.
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.
Remove your card, and place it back safely in your wallet or purse.
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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Break Up With Credit Card Processor | Abtek

Merchant Service Providers

Is it Time to Break up with Your Credit Card Processor?

August 10, 2015 Abtek Leave a comment

Not all credit card processors are the same. Some processors are truly dedicated to your business’s success while others–well, let’s just say they have other priorities. Here are a few warning signs that may indicate it’s time for you to make a change:

They’re Not Open and Honest About their Fees

One of the biggest complaints we hear about other processors is that they’re not honest about the fees they charge. Unless they have something to hide, there’s no reason for a processor to keep their fees a secret. Honest communication is the key to a strong relationship, after all! Here at Abtek, we don’t play games with our clients—we tell them right up front exactly how much they’ll be charged and why. Take a look at our fee breakdown to learn more.

They Don’t Offer 24/7/365 Customer Service

In the real world, a question or problem can arise at any time of day. Your processor should be available to help you solve your payment processing challenges whenever the need arises—even if it is at the crack of dawn on a Saturday morning.

They’re Not in it for the Long Run

Unfortunately, some credit card processors are only in it for the money—and once the money stops flowing, they drop their clients and move on the next big idea. If you get the feeling that your processor is less than dedicated to your success, you should get out, quick, because your business deserves to have unwavering support. One of the easiest ways to tell if a processor is in it for the long run is to take a look at its history. How long has it been in business? Does it have reputable clientele?

Abtek has been in business since 1986—that’s almost 30 years! And ever since our start, supporting our customers has been our number one priority. Our business is built on integrity and because of that, we’ve been able to grow a client base that includes everything from retail to B2B to governmental agencies. Take a look at some of our valued clients.

They Don’t Offer High Tech Equipment

Are the POS systems provided by your processor holding your business back? If you are consistently frustrated with the ancient technology that you’re being forced to use, then that’s a problem. Additionally, if your processor hasn’t yet reached out to you to get your business set up with new EMV-compatible equipment, that’s a sure sign that they’re not putting your best interests first.

BONUS: Abtek will Pay for You to Make the Switch

If you’re not happy with your credit card processor, don’t worry—you don’t have to be stuck in a bad relationship. In fact, Abtek will help you break up with your processor and actually pay to break your current contract! Give us a call today at (800) 544-9145 to get started.

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Data Breach, Merchant Service Providers

Merchants are at Risk, Too! Here’s How to Keep your Data Safe Online

May 28, 2015 Abtek Leave a comment

We always stress the importance of having secure payment processing solutions so that you can ensure a positive shopping experience for your customers. But don’t forget: You and your business are consumers, too! It’s important for you to be aware that other businesses’ online platforms might not be as secure as yours. When your data is put into the wrong hands, you could be in for a lot of trouble (i.e. identity theft, stolen credit card information, computer hacks, etc.)

The solution? Good habits help merchants safeguard their sensitive business data online. Below, we’ve put together some of the most effective ways to ensure your online data is safe:

1. Choose a Secure Password

Once upon a time it was acceptable to create a singular password for all online accounts. Your password could even be as simple as your business name! But those days are now far behind us. Today’s hackers are smart and the less secure (complex) your password, the easier it is for them to access your data. The best way to keep your data safe is to choose a unique password for each online account. Your passwords should include a mix of upper and lower case letters, numbers and special characters, if allowed. To make it easy, you can use a password generator, like this one by Norton. Keep in mind: High profile businesses should change their passwords several times a year, according to Credit.com.

2. Keep Your Email from Getting Hacked

When your business email gets hacked, you can do some serious damage. You might not even know it was hacked until a client asks you why you sent that “super weird video.” Awkward! An email hack can happen to the best of us, but there are steps you can take to prevent it. First, take our advice and change that password! The more secure the better. While you’re on the settings page in your email, see if there’s an option to implement two-step authentication. This links your email account with your phone number, so anytime you (or a hacker!) logs into an “unrecognized” device, you’ll receive a code on your phone to enter on the device in question. Also remember to be smart when opening email, if a message looks iffy, just don’t click on it!

3. Shop Safely Online

First things first when shopping online: Do not ever enter your credit card information on a website if it doesn’t have SSL encryption installed. How can you know if it’s secure? Take a look at the URL—instead of starting with “http://”, it should start with “https://”. Also look for a little lock icon in the URL box. A website with SSL encrypts sensitive information so that only the intended recipient can understand it. In general, go with your gut feeling when shopping online. If a website just doesn’t feel right, find another one that you trust!

4. Use the Internet for Banking

Online banking is just so convenient, it’s no surprise that more than 51% of U.S. adults use it. To ensure that your online accounts are as secure as a bank vault, you’ll want to follow some of the tips above, like creating a strong password and enabling two-step verification. On top of that, you’ll want to be sure to always keep your computer software up-to-date and always log out when you’re done.

Today, using the internet to do business is simply part of doing business! Just be sure to use it smartly and you’ll be good to go!

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

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EMV® Cards, Merchant Service Providers, Mobile Wallets, PCI Compliance, Tokenization

Cheat Sheet: A Quick Reference Guide to Payment Processing Buzzwords

May 22, 2015 Abtek Leave a comment

Payment security is at an all time low and as a result, the payment industry is in process of getting a much-needed overhaul. With this rapid implementation of new rules, processes and technology, there are a lot of payment processing buzzwords that have recently entered into the industry vernacular.

As a business owner, you’re busy with your day-to-day operations, so keeping up on the latest payment processing news and trends is probably not at the top of your priority list. However, as these changes could eventually impact your business, it’s never been more important for you to be in the know.

To help you stay updated, we’ve compiled the following glossary of industry buzzwords for your quick reference.

EMV / Chip-and-Pin

EMV is the future of credit card processing, although it’s not exactly so futuristic anymore. If you’re not already aware of the EMV payment revolution happening in the United States, you can read up on the basics here. In a nutshell, over the course of the next few months, banks will begin to roll out new credit cards in an effort to phase out insecure magnetic stripe technology. These cards will be embedded with microprocessor chips that will allow for more secure transactions. But the benefits of these “EMV” or “chip-and-pin” cards won’t come to fruition unless business owners take action now and update their payment terminals.

PCI Compliance

PCI compliance is a term often shrouded in myths and misconceptions, but it isn’t all that confusing once you break it down. PCI is a set of 12 requirements that all merchants, no matter the size or industry, must meet to ensure a secure environment for credit card transactions. If you’re not sure what’s required of your business in order to establish compliance, you’ll want to check in with your merchant services provider or visit the Security Standards Council website.

NFC

Near field communication (NFC) is the technology that enables wireless data transfers between two devices in close proximity, without the need for an internet connection. Think of it like modern-day Bluetooth. Today’s smartphones are embedded with NFC technology to allow for consumers to make payments directly from their phones by simply tapping or waving their devices over an NFC terminal.

Apple Pay

Apple Pay is a mobile application that is sweeping the nation. Essentially, the application allows consumers to transform their phones into mobile wallets by syncing credit card information from their iTunes accounts. Consumers can simply wave or tap their phones over an NFC terminal (currently available at numerous retailers across the globe) to make a purchase.

Tokenization

When a credit card is swiped through a terminal set up for tokenization, the card’s Primary Account Number (PAN) is automatically substituted with a randomly generated sequence, called a token. Merchants can use this token to handle refunds, returns and manage other transaction details. The benefit? Tokenization takes sensitive payment card data out of the picture for merchants, eliminating the need to store the data on their networks and the risk of a data breach.

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

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Breaking News, EMV® Cards

Entrepreneur: Everything Your Business Needs to Know About the EMV Mandate

April 28, 2015 Abtek Leave a comment

Tami Cohorst, Abtek’s Vice President, was recently featured on Entrepreneur.com, a prominent online resource for business development news.

New and major credit card processing procedures are set to change the way we do business, thanks to the 2015 EMV Compliance Mandate.

The U.S. is the world’s final market to become EMV-compliant. Our adoption and accessibility to the technology will likely transform all industries that depend upon processing payments via credit cards.

Is your company ready?

Continue reading the full article at Entrepreneur.com →

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

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Data Breach, Merchant Service Providers, Tips

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

April 20, 2015 Abtek Leave a comment

On Wednesday, April 22, more than 192 countries across the globe will celebrate the 45^th 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.

2. 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.

4. 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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What Exactly is an EMV-Compatible POS System?

What are Your Options?

Where Can You Buy an EMV Credit Card Terminal?

Don’t Delay – Get Started Now!

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They’re Not Open and Honest About their Fees

They Don’t Offer 24/7/365 Customer Service

They’re Not in it for the Long Run

They Don’t Offer High Tech Equipment

BONUS: Abtek will Pay for You to Make the Switch

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1. Choose a Secure Password

2. Keep Your Email from Getting Hacked

3. Shop Safely Online

4. Use the Internet for Banking

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EMV / Chip-and-Pin

PCI Compliance

NFC

Apple Pay

Tokenization

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1. Switch to Digital Receipts

2. Protect Your Customers’ Data, Protect the Environment

3. Integrate Tablets Into Your Business

4. If You Have to Print, Do it Smartly

5. Recycle responsibly

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Credit Card Processing and Merchant Account Solutions