CardFellow Credit Card Processing Blog

Credit Card Processing

The 5 Best Tablets for Mobile POS Systems

by Ben Dwyer

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 Ben Dwyer

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 Ben Dwyer

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 Ben Dwyer

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

Interchange downgrades aren’t exactly a fun topic, and they can be a little complicated to explain. However, there are very real costs associated with them, and too many downgrades means throwing money down the drain. Fortunately, downgrades are an avoidable expense. The issue is that a processor’s expertise is required to recognize and address downgrades. […]

The term “downgrade” gets thrown around a lot in credit card processing, but what does it actually mean?

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Accounting and Finance, Credit Card Processing

Square Capital: Is it Right for Your Business?

by Ben Dwyer

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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Interchange Fees

CPS Rewards 1 and Signature Preferred- Visa Interchange

by Ben Dwyer

CPS Rewards 1 is a Visa interchange category that is used to calculate the interchange fee for swiped transactions involving a credit card that produces rewards for the cardholder, such as cash back, or airline miles.

CPS Rewards and Signature Preferred refer to Visa interchange fees for consumer credit cards that offer rewards (such as cash back or airline miles) for the cardholder.

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Credit Card Processing

CPS Rewards 2 and Signature Preferred CNP – Visa Interchange

by Ben Dwyer

CPS Rewards 2 is the Visa interchange category that is used to calculate the interchange fee for card-not-present transactions and keyed card-present transactions involving a credit card or regulated debit card that produces rewards for the cardholder, such as cash back, or airline miles.

CPS Rewards 2 and Signature Preferred are Visa interchange categories that determine what a business pays when accepting a “rewards” credit card online or by keying it in.

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Credit Card Processing exposed