CardFellow Credit Card Processing Blog

Credit Card Processing

POS System Cash Register Replacement

by Brian Penny

However, a POS is more than just a cash register replacement. These systems are part of an integrated business platform that can scan, process, and track transactions, manage inventory, streamline accounting, enable customer marketing, and much more. If you’re looking to update the technology in your business, a simple cash register won’t do. Here are…

The most vital tool for any business is a machine to process sales.

It wasn’t that long ago that the only affordable option available was a basic cash register, which included a cash drawer, receipt printer, and occasionally a card reader. These days, however, advancements in technology have replaced the basic cash register with more advanced point-of-sale systems.

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Credit Card Processing, Security and PCI Compliance

First Data’s TransArmor Security

by Gary Bowen

This places greater burden on businesses who invest painful amounts of money into PCI compliance, yet still remain vulnerable to data breaches. Chances are you don’t have the time to become an expert in security or payment technologies. You’re busy trying to understand customer needs so you can deliver the right goods successfully and efficiently: hopefully…

Owning a business is complicated and it can be difficult to completely protect yourself from data breaches. Whether you have store and distribution center locations that number in the hundreds with tens of thousands of employees or run a two-man shop, constant vigilance over access points and sensitive data is a continuous, ever-changing security obstacle.

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Credit Card Processing

The 5 Best Tablets for Mobile POS Systems

by Brian Penny

Note that some tablet POS system makers offer bundles that include a tablet and the POS software, but many don’t. If you’re considering using tablet-based POS system that doesn’t include a tablet, you’ll need to buy one separately. For those situations, here are the best tablets for mobile POS systems. Each is best-suited for different…

Mobile point-of-sale systems are becoming more popular, with 54 million units expected to be installed in businesses by 2019. Using a tablet for a POS system provides mobility and a seamless platform for both sales and inventory management. You can take it with you on the go, or use it in a restaurant to take orders or payments tableside.

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Credit Card Processing, Scams and Fraud

The Rise of Friendly Fraud – and What You Can Do to Prevent It

by Jane Meggitt

While credit card theft and other common types of fraud are decreasing because of EMV chip cards and new security technology, low-tech friendly fraud is on the rise. Remember, EMV cards don’t provide any additional protection for you or customers in ecommerce transactions. If you run an ecommerce website, it’s worth knowing about the tools…

There is nothing friendly about fraud – it is criminal. “Friendly fraud” refers to apparently legitimate customers using their own names, addresses and credit card numbers to make an online purchase but later disputing the charge with the credit card company. A more accurate term for this behavior is “cyber-shoplifting.”

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Credit Card Processing, ecommerce

Braintree vs. Stripe: Which is Better for Online Payments?

by Paul Maplesden

The Braintree vs. Stripe comparison chart provided gives a quick side-by-side overview, but if you want the full details, each section of the chart is explained in depth below. (Click chart to enlarge.) What are online payment gateways? Braintree vs. Stripe – Fees Accepting Credit and Debit Cards Bitcoin Payments Chargebacks Taking Payment International Payments…

The online payment market is getting more and more crowded. While greater competition is good for businesses, the sheer number of payment providers can be overwhelming. Here, we’ll take a look at two of the most popular options, Braintree and Stripe, to see which is better for ecommerce and online payments.

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Credit Card Processing, Security and PCI Compliance

Address Verification Service (AVS)

by Ellen Cunningham

When is AVS used? Reasons to Use AVS Chargeback Defense Declining Transactions Based on AVS Result What does it cost to use AVS? Is using AVS worth the cost? AVS codes When is AVS used? Address Verification is used in all kinds of credit card scenarios. It’s common in ecommerce and other card-not-present transactions,…

Address Verification Service (often referred to as AVS and sometimes Address Validation) is an anti-fraud tool offered by credit card processing companies. The tool works by comparing name and address information given by the person claiming to own the credit card to the name and address on file with the credit card company.

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Credit Card Processing

Credit Card Processing Downgrades at Interchange

by Ben Dwyer

Downgrades are an avoidable expense. The issue is that a processor’s expertise is required to recognize and address downgrades. However, processors have no financial incentive to do so. This leaves the burden of spotting and correcting downgrades on businesses. In this article I’m going to explain what downgrades are, how to spot them, and how…

The term “downgrade” gets thrown around a lot when talking about credit card processing fees, and usually without any meaningful explanation. That’s probably because downgrades aren’t exactly a fun topic, and they’re somewhat complicated to explain.

With that said, downgrades result in a very real cost, and understanding what they are and how to avoid them is crucial to ensuring your business pays as little as possible to process credit cards.

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Accounting and Finance, Credit Card Processing

Square Capital: Is it Right for Your Business?

by Ellen Cunningham

Maybe it doesn’t even feel like a choice. You need money to make money; any aspiring small business owner knows this to be true. But who is going to give you a loan with less than stellar credit or no collateral? And, who has time to go through a loan approval process? Click, click, click…

Fast, easy, flexible, working capital that is only a tantalizing few mouse-clicks away…should you apply for Square Capital and get a merchant cash advance?

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Credit Card Processing exposed