CardFellow Credit Card Processing Blog

Credit Card Processing, Security and PCI Compliance

Guardian Security Suite by TSYS

by Ben Dwyer

Note: Following TSYS’s acquisition by Global Payments, the Guardian Security Suite no longer appears to be available under that name. We’re leaving this article here for historical purposes, but it will no longer be updated. Any security services offered by Global will be covered in their own articles. Looking for something specific? Give us a […]

Since 2010, when Total System Services, Inc. (also known as TSYS) purchased a majority stake in First National Bank of Omaha’s merchant acquisition business, the company has been a significant player in the credit card payment processing industry. It’s one of the largest processors in the world, and offers a full range of services.

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Credit Card Processing

The CurrentC Shutdown and What It Means For You

by Ben Dwyer

CurrentC was initially rolled out in a beta pilot program in Columbus, Ohio on September 15, 2015. A nationwide rollout was planned for 2016 but was canceled as the organization looks at other growth methods. Merchants who accepted CurrentC should inform customers that it’s no longer available. However, other forms of mobile payments are still […]

As of June 28, 2016, CurrentC, the mobile payment app created by the Merchant Customer Exchange, has officially shut down. The move follows an announcement in May that MCX was laying off 30 employees and refocusing its efforts on partnerships with financial partners like Chase.

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Credit Card Processing, Legal

Home Depot Lawsuit Against Visa and Mastercard

by Ben Dwyer

Wal-Mart filed a similar suit against Visa in May. The Security Problem According to Home Depot Credit Card Companies’ Reactions The Monetary Problem According to Home Depot No Option Are PINs the answer? Prayer for Relief Visa and MasterCard Respond The Security Problem According to Home Depot Home Depot accuses Visa and Mastercard of being […]

It’s a case of a home improvement retail giant versus two network payment processing behemoths. In mid-June 2016, Home Depot filed an antitrust lawsuit in federal district court in Atlanta against Visa and Mastercard, alleging credit card security is inadequate and exposes retailers and customers to hacking.

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Credit Card Processing, Security and PCI Compliance

TSYS Card Compromise Assistance Plan

by Ben Dwyer

In response to this threat that can cripple or virtually destroy any retail business, Total System Services, Inc. (also known as TSYS) created a Credit Card Compromise Assistance Plan (C-CAP). This service can ease the financial risk and reassure business owners who accept credit cards at their retail locations and online. C-CAP protects them from […]

No business is exempt from an attack on their sensitive credit card customer databases by hackers and other criminals. And small businesses who might not be able to afford the latest security measures have found themselves especially targeted.

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Credit Card Processing

Quick Chip to Help Speed Up EMV Transactions

by Ben Dwyer

Unlike magnetic stripe cards, chip cards inserted into the reader must stay there until the transaction is complete. In some cases, customers wait 15 seconds or longer for the authorization to go through once the cashier has hit the appropriate payment button. This creates a lot of friction, slowing the checkout process, increasing wait time […]

The US chip card rollout was confusing and sluggish. Additionally, in locations that have implemented chip card machines, customers were often frustrated or want to swipe their chip cards through the magstripe reader. The primary complaint was that chip card transactions were painfully slow.

Quick Chip to Help Speed Up EMV Transactions

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B2B, Credit Card Processing

CardPointe by CardConnect

by Ben Dwyer

In July of 2016, businesses may have noticed a new fee on statements: the CardPointe fee. Charged by CardConnect, the CardPointe fee is a monthly charge that may be added to existing processing fees. What is it, does it affect you, and what are your options? Let’s take a look. What is the CardPointe fee? […]

CardPointe is a processing solution available through CardConnect, designed to make transaction processing easier and safer.

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Credit Card Processing

Square’s Transaction Fees and Equipment Leasing

by Ben Dwyer

In 2019, Square did away with its 2.75% rate in favor of 2.6% + 10 cents per transaction. Additionally, the company is now offering equipment leases, a practice that we generally advise against here at CardFellow. Read on to see what these Square fees mean, and what the leasing is all about. Square’s Per-Transaction Fee […]

Payment processing company Square has built a reputation on offering simple, flat-rate credit card processing for small business. The well-publicized 2.75% rate was a good deal for businesses with small average transactions or low monthly credit card sales, but the company no longer offers that rate.

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Credit Card Processing, Legal

Walmart Sues Visa: Who’s Right?

by Ben Dwyer

Update – in November 2017, Walmart and Visa announced that they are settling the lawsuits. Details of the settlement have not been made public, though Visa made a public announcement that they’re pleased with the settlement decision. We’re leaving the rest of this article for historical purposes. Setting the Stage: PIN vs. Signature Chip Cards […]

A battle is brewing. Citing security issues, giant retailer Walmart has brought a lawsuit against Visa. At the end of June, 2016, Visa filed a countersuit. The news has spread like wildfire, and misconceptions are also spreading fast. Let’s take a look at what the lawsuit is actually about and address some of the incorrect info going around.

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Credit Card Processing exposed