Process Credit Card

How do they do it?  It seems like every week, you see another company announcing record profits or at least significant growth, even in a down economy.  Really, how do they do it? There are probably a number of things that contribute to their success, but certainly thinking strategically is a big part of it.  What does thinking strategically look like for your business when it comes to payment processing?  It's important to take credit card processing to the next level.  Some retailers would benefit greatly from having a wireless point of sale option in their stores or wherever business is conducted.  

Accepting credit cards, especially wireless payments, really does mean that your business knows no bounds.  The team at North American Bancard can help add wireless credit card processing machines to your existing service.  The process is painless and will allow you to accept transactions securely from just about anywhere.  With North American Bancard's wireless merchant services you can:

• Accept all major credit cards
• Receive near immediate authorizations
• Enjoy the lowest rates with the most secure transactions
• Access the GPRS wireless network, the most reliable network available in the U.S.
• Utilize "Store and Forward" capability which allows you to "swipe" transactions in areas with poor coverage and process later
• Include tips or tolls and also link transactions to specific customers
• Choose from the industry’s largest selection of free wireless credit card terminals

In today's business world, transactions can be processing in your home, in an office, at a tradeshow, county fair or from a mobile device.  Accepting payment via a wireless terminal is a hassle-free way to add yet another level of convenience for your customers and improve your profit potential.  Even if you don't do business on the road of from remote locations, there are still numerous brick-and-mortar applications for wireless processing.  Take your checkout counter to the customer and "wow" them with your service.

 

 

 

PCI compliance may be the topic that is most often asked about when discussing credit card processing with our customer service team.  Simply take a look at our FAQ section on PCI compliance and you'll understand why.  The topic is complex and very important.  Let's take a few moments to discuss what it is, who needs it and how North American Bancard can help to ensure that you are compliant.

Due to the significant increase in use of credit and debit cards and the prevalence of data security issues that come along with this use, a number of organizations formed to create industry standards of privacy and security.  The Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards (PCI DSS), the Fair and Accurate Credit Transaction Act (FACTA) federal law and Triple DES PIN encryption have established standards and requirements for the safekeeping of cardholder information.  Let's focus specifically on what it takes to be PCI compliant.

PCI compliance requires attention to important details including the following:

- Removing full credit card numbers and expiration dates from receipts
- Conducting self-assessment questionnaires
- Conducting quarterly vulnerability scans to identify potential weaknesses

Many merchants may believe that their business is too small, that they don't process enough transactions for it to matter or that PCI compliance is too costly for them.  Regardless of the business size or how many transactions you do, PCI compliance is a necessity.  When it comes to cost concerns, the costs of a single breach or non-compliance far outweigh any investment that you would make to ensure compliance.

In order to make ensuring PCI compliance and maintenance simpler for our clients, North American Bancard has partnered with ControlScan, a leading provider of compliance and security services, to create a comprehensive Compliance Program.  This program includes access to a web-based resource providing merchants with the tools and support necessary to analyze, remediate, and validate PCI compliance.  Tools include:

- PCI Self-Assessment Questionnaire
- Vulnerability Scanning
- Security Policy Builder
- Security Awareness Training
- And More

For more information, check out How PCI Works. Get additional questions answered in our FAQs or by our compliance support staff at 866.785.5044.

At North American Bancard, we take privacy and data security just as seriously as you do when dealing with your customers' credit card information.  There are a number of items of information that we may ask from you including name, job title, contact info, demographics info or other information relevant to customer surveys and offers.  We use this information to better understand your needs, to provide you with even better service on your merchant account and for a number of other reasons including:

- Internal record keeping
- Product or service improvement
- In order to send out periodic promotional emails about new products or special offers
- For market research purposes

Many people ask us how we protect not only their data but their money, as well.  In order to prevent unauthorized access to your account, we have put in place suitable physical, electronic and managerial procedures to ensure security of the information that we collect online.

And, similarly to how we protect you, our client, from privacy and security concerns, we also offer solutions to help you ensure PCI compliance for your business and privacy for your customer's credit card data.  Whether you require traditional or internet merchant account services, North American Bancard will walk you through the process of how to accept swiped transactions as well as card-not-present transactions.

Here are a few things to look for when attempting to spot a fraudulent card-not-present transaction:

- First-time shopper: Criminals are always looking for new victims.
- Larger-than-normal orders: Because stolen cards or account numbers have a limited life span, crooks need to maximize the size of their purchase.
- Orders that include several of the same item: Having multiples of the same item increases a criminal's profits.
- Orders made up of “big-ticket” items: These items have maximum resale value and therefore maximum profit potential.
- “Rush” or “overnight” shipping: Crooks want these fraudulently obtained items as soon as possible for the quickest possible resale, and aren’t concerned about extra delivery charges.
- Shipping to an international address: A significant number of fraudulent transactions are shipped to fraudulent cardholders outside of the U.S. Visa AVS can't validate non-U.S., except in Canada and the United Kingdom.

If you've already got a merchant account and can accept credit cards, then you're headed in the right direction to making your business successful.  So what else can you do? Many clients of North American Bancard are looking for ways to improve their POS systems, but don't necessarily have the budget to add necessary services or upgrade retail credit card machines like they would like to do.  We recognized this and set out to partner with a company that provided our clients with this capital without all of the red tape and hassle of traditional business loans.  That company is Capital for Merchants.

Capital for Merchants is a merchant cash advance company.   The concept of a merchant cash advance is simple; Capital for Merchants will pay you (give you cash in advance) for your future credit card transactions up front. As credit card transactions roll in to your business, Capital for Merchants gets paid back by taking a small, fixed percentage of those daily credit card transaction receipts.

While the concept is fairly simple, many people still have questions because they are so used to the complicated and frustrating way that banks loan money.  Let's take a look at a few of the most commonly asked questions related to a merchant cash advance.

What qualifications do you need for a merchant cash advance?
To qualify for a merchant cash advance with Capital for Merchants, an institution typically has to be in business for a minimum of one year. The business must also be processing a minimum of $2,000 worth of credit card transactions a month, and have been accepting credit cards for up to six months prior to the time they apply for the merchant cash advance.

How quickly will I receive my cash advance?
After completing the Capital for Merchants Application, you can expect the approved cash advance in as little as 72 hours.

How can I use the cash?
You can spend the money from your merchant cash advance from Capital for Merchants any way that you want. We are only interested in your continued success.

How much cash can I get?
Capital for Merchants can fund your business up to $250,000 per location depending on your businesses credit card transaction volume.

For answers to any of your other questions or for more general information on Capital for Merchants or North American Bancard call 800-BANCARD.

If you're looking to offer your customers the best credit card processing for small business, North American Bancard can outfit you with state-of-the-art equipment to help you do just this.  Our product line includes one of the largest selections of credit card processing equipment in the industry, so no matter your needs we can fulfill them.

What sort of equipment does your business need to optimize efficiency of your POS?

- Internet Connected Terminal:  Allows you to process transactions through an internet connection (or a phone line)
   
- Wireless Terminal:  Uses the GPRS wireless network to process transactions wirelessly for businesses on the go
   
- e-Commerce Solutions:  Enables you to accept credit card and electronic check payments from your e-Commerce Web site
  
- Payment Processing Software:  Turns any PC or PC-based POS system into a secure payment-accepting and processing device
   
- Check Imager: Converts paper checks to electronic transactions at the point of sale
  
- Tap and Go: Enables almost any point of sale (POS) and Electronic Cash Registers (ECR) systems with contactless payments


In addition to the type of equipment that you need, you should consider whether the equipment provides you with adequate safeguards for your business and your customers.  All equipment provided by North American Bancard arrives fully PCI compliant and ready to use so you can start accepting credit cards faster.  Equipment is preloaded with your merchant information, pre-programmed for your specific needs and pre-tested to ensure full functionality.  Many of the retail credit card machines, including our wireless credit card processing machines, are offered to our clients as part of our free equipment program.  For more information on our free equipment program, visit our website today.

This is yet another way we meet your needs and help to ensure that your business is as successful and profitable as it can be.

 

Processing Rates & Fees:  With any merchant account, you'll pay various fees.  These will vary depending on the type of merchant account you need and the company that you select as your MSP.  However, there are two main costs that are charged.  Discount rates and Authorization Fees are the most common.

The discount rate charged is typically determined by classifying the purchase into one of three levels, qualified, mid-qualified and non-qualified.  Each level and rate is determined by the type of card used, and/or how it is accepted and processed.  The authorization fee is charged for each electronic authorization request made.  This includes ALL sales, those approved, declined, returns, voids, etc.
 

When you have decided that you need a new merchant account and have done your research to find the company that you believe to be the best fit, you're still not quite done.  There are still a couple of items that, if you pay attention, could help you save even more on your POS system and payment processor software.

Advances in technology have made the prospect of offering credit or debit card payment options to your clients a cost-effective reality.  Many times merchant accounts can be setup with little to no start-up costs by some of the most reputable service providers in the industry.

Here are a few tips to help you out:

1. Don't sign a long term agreement

Even if you have fully-vetted the merchant account provider, signing a long-term contract locks you into commitments that you may have to pay to break.  If customer service is lacking or if you end up finding a better company, better service or a better rate at another merchant account provider, you'll be stuck.  Many times merchant account providers charge steep termination fees or require payment of the remaining monthly fees up to $1,000.

2. Try to save money on processing equipment

While costs of retail credit card machines and processing equipment have declined significantly in recent years, this should still be a concern.  Many companies now offer complimentary applications for processing via Blackberry, iPhone or other smartphone device.  North American Bancard even offers its clients a free terminal program which includes the use of many of the latest traditional payment devices and wireless credit card processing machines at no cost to them.

3. Be sure that the merchant account type fits your business needs

While a particular company may seem like a good fit, take a moment to ensure that the type of merchant account that you are purchasing from that company makes sense for your purposes.  Be sure that the merchant account provider you choose can clearly explain the differences between different types of accounts and has asked specific questions of you during the intro period to ensure that they sell you the correct type.

To find out more about opening a new merchant account or to speak with a knowledgeable representative from North American Bancard, who can help you out, call 800-BANCARD or visit our website today.

In order to fully understand the need for PCI compliance, it is essential that you understand how everything works and many times the process is a bit confusing.  Let's take a quick look at the "ins and outs" of PCI compliance.

Compliance with the Payment Card Industry (PCI) data security standard is a requirement for all merchants that process, store or transmit credit card data.  This requirement applies to all payment channels, regardless of industry or business type, including traditional retailers, mail order, pay-by-phone, and e-commerce merchants too.  The PCI standard has been endorsed by all major credit card brands by their respective data security programs.

Ensuring PCI compliance means adhering to a set of twelve basic requirements, which fall within the following categories:

Build and Maintain a Secure Network

Requirement 1: Install and maintain a firewall configuration to protect cardholder data
Requirement 2: Do not use vendor-supplied defaults for system passwords and other security parameters

Protect Cardholder Data

Requirement 3: Protect stored cardholder data
Requirement 4: Encrypt transmission of cardholder data across open, public networks

Maintain a Vulnerability Management Program

Requirement 5: Use and regularly update anti-virus software
Requirement 6: Develop and maintain secure systems and applications

Implement Strong Access Control Measures

Requirement 7: Restrict access to cardholder data by business need-to-know
Requirement 8: Assign a unique ID to each person with computer access
Requirement 9: Restrict physical access to cardholder data

Regularly Monitor and Test Networks

Requirement 10: Track and monitor all access to network resources and cardholder data
Requirement 11: Regularly test security systems and processes

Maintain an Information Security Policy

Requirement 12: Maintain a policy that addresses information security

In addition to compliance requirements, businesses are also required to maintain proper certification, or validation, of compliance by demonstrating it.  North American Bancard's partner, ControlScan and it's interactive PCI portal walks you through each step of the certification process.  From selecting and completing a self-assessment questionnaire and conducting vulnerability scanning to preparing security policy documents, we can help through the entire process and make accepting credit cards that much easier.

For more information on North American Bancard's PCI Compliance assistance programs visit us online or call us at 800-BANCARD.

 

As you probably already know, having the ability to accept credit cards or other non-cash payments has become more and more of a necessity in today's business world.  Customers have come to expect these options, so it only makes sense that your business offers them.

For many small businesses, considering adding the ability to accept credit cards to your POS offering can seem like a daunting task.  In reality, while the benefits that you could enjoy are great, the actual process of starting things up isn't painful at all when working with North American Bancard.  We offer comprehensive payment processor software to ensure that your business can offer the convenience of payment by credit or debit card, to your customer.  In addition, because we are an industry leader, we can also offer the guaranteed lowest rates in the industry.

The benefits of working with North American Bancard don't stop at our low rates. Your business needs to offer your customers more payment options than just credit cards.  With this in mind, we offer capabilities to accept debit card, pre-paid cards, electronic balance transfers, gift cards, loyalty cards and more.

In addition, clients of North American Bancard enjoy the following benefits:
So, whether you are a business that is just realizing a need to accept credit cards for the first time or an established business looking for better processing options, North American Bancard is committed to help you grow your business by improving profitability and efficiency.

The most important thing to look at, when reviewing merchant accounts, is to find the right fit for you and your business.  Every type of business, from small corner bakery shops to the largest corporations can benefit from having a merchant account.  It does not matter the size of a company or the industry, having a merchant account, especially one provided by North American Bancard, can positively impact revenue and customer satisfaction.

Understanding the specific type of merchant account that fits you best can be a bit confusing at times, especially when more than one merchant account type seems to fit, but we are here to help.  Here are a few examples to help you figure out what might work best for you:

Traditional retail storefronts, which typically process credit cards on site by swiping cards manually will need retail credit card machines or countertop terminals to do so.  In addition, most retail merchants choose to add an integrated reporting package to their suite of software in order to more easily track sales and set goals for growth.

Businesses that process the majority of their sales online will need an internet merchant account.  This is needed to process card-not-present transactions, which require additional security measures to be taken because the credit card is not physically swiped.  Many businesses who choose to accept electronic payments choose to do so with the help of an online payment gateway like Authorize.net or with virtual terminal applications.  These software packages help merchants view reporting in real-time and monitor payments with ease.

Mobile merchants need to be able to process credit cards wherever they go.  North American Bancard offers merchant accounts that include convenient payment processing options that allow merchants to accept credit cards via cell phone or with small, wireless credit card processing machines.

By carefully researching your options and speaking with a knowledgeable representative, you will be able to ensure that you are getting the exact merchant account and equipment that fit your needs.

Most people quickly grow tired of the way they are treated by other merchant account providers.  They pay way too much, either for things they don't actually need or use or for services that should be much less costly.  With North American Bancard serving businesses much like yours, there is no reason why you need to continue to spend your hard-earned profits on substandard or overpriced merchant account solutions. North American Bancard and its team of well-trained, experienced representatives will invest the time and energy necessary to create an ideal POS solution for your business at a cost that is within your budget, with some of the lowest processing rates in the industry.

To add even more value, many of the retail credit card machines that we offer are provided for use by our clients at no cost.  The free terminal program provides access to some of the latest POS equipment from manufacturers like Magtek and Hypercom, most times at no cost at all.

No longer do you have to give us great service or great devices to save money.  When you work with North American Bancard, you can expect the low rates and fees, great customer service/support and access to a wide variety of devices to make your checkout process as efficient as possible.

Visit us online or call 800-BANCARD to find out how we can save you thousands on payment processing fees while making your merchant account experience so much more enjoyable.

In what ways do you attempt to make your business "stand out"?  There are thousands of ways, many of which are expensive and not as beneficial as you may think.  One thing that you may not have considered is upgrading your payment system for accepting credit cards.   Now, initially this may not seem like the best way to make your business stand out from the others but just hear me out.

There is certainly a place for marketing, promotions, advertising, etc. but everyone else is doing it too, right?  Some other businesses probably have larger budgets than you and, subsequently, are getting more/better exposure.  What if, instead of spending your dollars in vain, trying to keep up with others, you took that money and invested it back into credit card processing equipment, software and services that actually improved your customers experience in the store?  This might help by:

- Improving the customer experience & creating more loyal customers
- Increasing "word-of-mouth" marketing from improved experiences
- Saving you money or wasted time & effort on outdated POS solutions

As you already know, the key to having a successful business is keeping up with changing demand and adapting new technologies to your benefit. Many people say "if your business isn't growing, it's dying", which may be true, but I believe that you're in trouble if you aren't constantly looking at how you run your business and making adjustments to optimize its' efficiency.

Less than 20 years ago, no one would have ever imagined that consumers would prefer to make payments with debit or credit cards rather than paying with cash. Even more hard to predict would have been the prevalence of online commerce. Fortunately, North American Bancard is a company that will evolve with you and your changing needs. Today, most of our clients desire the ability to process credit card payments both in-store and online, using our Authorize.net solutions. Who knows what the demands of tomorrow will be? But, whatever they may be, North American Bancard will be there with the latest innovations to help you keep up with the marketplace.

What are the building blocks of your point of sale system?  When you started your business or began to accept credit and debit cards using a merchant account, what were the first things that you knew you needed?  Even if this is the first time you have looked into a merchant account, I suggest to start by looking at the basics.

As a retailer, most likely with a brick-and-mortar store, you will need hardware and devices that allow you to accept debit and credit cards.  This hardware comes from a variety of manufacturers, in all shapes and sizes, and to fit various applications and needs.  Many retailers are now experimenting with using a mobile credit card swiper to checkout customers on the sales floor.  It's just another, simply example of applying technology to improve the customer experience and ultimately your bottom line
In addition to the hardware element, you will need POS software and a merchant account, like the ones provided by North American Bancard. These basic elements & simple applications combined with great rates and exceptional customer service create the perfect platform to build an ideal payment processing solution for you.  For more information call 800-BANCARD or visit our website today.

In today's business world, security of data is of utmost importance.  You've probably already taken many steps to ensure that you mitigate much of the risk of data theft, etc. by securing documents in the proper way.  One of the best things you can do to ensure that your business is safe is keeping your credit card processing system up to date.  An outdated POS system can cause more problems than just slow connections or issues with reliability.  It can expose your customer's credit card information and even your own banking information to "prying eyes".

A great first step toward ensuring that your system is properly secured and up to date is to check with your merchant services provider about POS systems and PCI compliance.

We can provide you with the latest processing technology that includes necessary safeguards to ensure PCI compliance.  So, if you are interested in learning more about what your business may need to ensure compliance or are just looking for a few pointers on no-cost ways to mitigate security risks visit us online or call 800-BANCARD today.

Business are starting to catch on and are inventing truly innovative applications for the latest wireless credit card processing machines, like those offered by North American Bancard.  Take a look at what one recent comment said:

"I just got home from dinner at my local Chili's (restaurant). After our check arrived, I put my AMEX in the folio and tried to give it to the server. She said, "Wait, I have to get 'the machine'," and returned to the table with a wireless payment device.  The server told me it was a trial at that restaurant and once they get the kinks worked out, all Chili's would have them."

My guess is that all of the customers in that restaurant were impressed with, not only the technology, but the forward thinking that put them first.  No more waiting for the server to process your check and return with a receipt copy for you to sign...it can all be done at once.

Many European and Asian countries are already employing this tactic at restaurants, where credit cards never leave the sight of the customer.  This ensures safety from skimming or other unauthorized uses and helps reassure the customer that their private information is secure.

For more information on North American Bancard and our wide range of innovative technology devices and services, call 800-BANCARD or visit us online.

At North American Bancard, we pride ourselves on providing comprehensive POS solutions for many different types of businesses and industries.  We offer our solutions, products and services on a single platform, making management, billing and support easy to manage.  Given the choice of working with North American Bancard and the 4-5 other vendors it might take to fulfill all of the needs that we do, in one place, why would you choose the latter?

Here's a look at some of the payment solutions that North American Bancard can offer:

- Internet merchant account services including Authorize.net for electronic payments
- Access to a large selection of state-of-the-art payment processing terminals
- Round-the-clock customer service and support
- The lowest debit or credit card processing rates in the industry
- Scalable services to fit your needs now and as you continue grow
- Much more

What do you say when your investors ask you about profits and cost-cuts?  Do you have the reporting tools at your fingertips to find out the information that they want to know?  It definitely is impressive to the investment community when you have this information and helps them make quicker, better-informed decisions about investing in your company.  To help ensure that you don't miss out when these opportunities come up, North American Bancard can provide you with a transparent picture of your sales and revenues, as part of our comprehensive merchant services package.

Many people are aware of the innovative services and state-of-the-art products that we offer on the front-end, products like the Nurit 8000 wireless credit card processor.  But, what many people do not realize is that we also provide reporting tools that can help you better track sales and breakdown raw numbers into valuable information.

Why not give us an opportunity to show you how we can provide you a comprehensive payment processing solution.  We offer a wide variety of payment products, all with innovative features to help businesses of all shapes and sizes.  Call us at 800-BANCARD and let a representative listen to your needs.  Then we will begin to develop a customized plan that works just for you and fulfills your needs.

It's always great to hear from satisfied customers.  Lately, it feels like many of them have spoken up.  Take Total Hearing Care, LLC for example:

North American Bancard helped me streamline the equipment I was previously using, and overall, made the system much quicker and more efficient. It’s easier for me to keep track of things, as I can now oversee transactions at all of my twelve locations in real time. Plus, I saved over $900 in bank card fees in the first month, compared to my previous supplier. Dealing with NAB was really terrific. I am very happy I made the switch, and my staff reports they are saving a lot of time.  I would wholeheartedly recommend North American Bancard services to anyone who needs credit card processing.

MarieAnn Zumpone-Weibley AuD, CCC-A Doctor of Audiology/Owner

Just like Total Hearing Care, LLC, we have helped hundreds and thousands of small businesses become more efficient in their payment processing and saved them money!  We can do the same for you.  Call us anytime at 800-BANCARD or visit us at our newly-redesigned website for more information today.