Processor Directory > Bluefin Payment Systems

Bluefin Payment Systems Review

Bluefin Payment Systems (also known as Capital Payments) is headquartered in Atlanta and has offices Waterford, Ireland. Bluefin partners with several POS software companies as the exclusive or preferred processor. In some cases, you may need a merchant account with Bluefin if you want to accept credit cards through a partner POS system. Bluefin's clients include small to medium-sized businesses, large retailers, healthcare organizations, colleges and universities, government agencies, and utilities.

What services does Bluefin Payment Systems offer?

Bluefin prides itself on going above and beyond PCI compliance. The company’s payment processing service boasts the latest in security technology and maintains that keeping up with the latest trends and advancements is of utmost importance.

bluefin homepage

PayConex Platform: This option aims to be an all-encompassing package for payment processing and security. The intention is to be multifunctional and beneficial to a range of clients, from standard retailers to Independent Software Vendors (ISVs) and every service in between.
Payment processing features:

  • Card processing of all major payment cards
  • ACH and E-checks- checking account payments and mobile processing of checks
  • Recurring and Subscription Payments
  • Omni-channel POS- Point of Sale for Retail, Mobile, Kiosk/unattended, and Call Centers
  • Ecommerce- card not present online purchases
  • MOTO- Mail Order or Telephone Order
  • QuickSwipe Mobile- a PCI compliant way to do mobile transactions

POS Software Integrations

Bluefin partners with various POS software companies and other business services as either an exclusive or preferred payment processor. In cases where Bluefin is the exclusive provider, you will need a merchant account with Bluefin in order to the use POS software. If Bluefin is a preferred partner, you may be able to choose another payment processor and still use the POS system/software. Examples of services that have partnered with Bluefin include Medtask, Applied Systems, SalonTarget POS, and others.

Bluefin’s Equipment, Software and Sandbox Environment

All of Bluefin’s equipment will be PCI Compliant and feature EMV chip card compatibility. Bluefin services work with a range of equipment, including existing PCs for virtual terminals and hosted payment pages, and Apple and Android devices such as smartphones and tablets for mobile processing.

Bluefin says it can integrate your business’s current software and interface with the PayConex Platform. They have APIs and SDKs to accomplish this, meaning they have tools for building programs that can help make that happen. They also have a Sandbox Environment, a safe space to test out the software, before putting it into use.

Bluefin also offers the PayConex for Salesforce. This is an app designed to integrate with the PayConex Platform. It is called a “native app” because it was developed specifically for the PayConex Platform for people who use Salesforce.

But what about Bluefin’s “cutting-edge” security?

Bluefin Payment Systems is PCI DSS Level 1 compliant, and makes use of tokenization, point-to-point encryption, and transparent redirect for security.
What that means for you:

  • Tokenization- This transforms the actual credit card information into a code (“token”) that can only be recognized by your system. It is a safe way of storing payment information for returns, refunds, chargebacks, recurring billing, etc.
  • PCI Validated P2PE (Point to Point Encryption)- Encryption means that the cardholder data at the Point of Interaction (POI) is scrambled to be indecipherable to hackers. This is done in a PCI-approved P2PE device and the decryption (piecing the scrambled information back together) is done off-site in an approved Bluefin Hardware Security Module (HSM). This would mean your business is less vulnerable to a breach since the actual card information is not held in your system.
  • Transparent Redirect- Essentially, this means that your customer’s information never enters your system without being tokenized first by BlueFin.

Bluefin’s Rates and Contracts

Interested in learning about rates and contracts? Unfortunately, you won’t find them on their website. Rates and contracts can fluctuate depending on the client. Not to worry though, you can get a fully disclosed quote from Bluefin right through this profile. The quote will be specific to your business, not a general chart of fees. There’s no cost and no obligation to view pricing, and we never sell or share your contact information.

Learn more about our service on our website or try it now.

Bluefin Reviews and Online Reputation

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Bluefin closed its physical offices in Tulsa, Chicago, and New York. It's remaining offices are located in Atlanta, Georgia Waterford, Ireland. However, Bluefin still has online profiles referencing its now closed offices.

Bluefin Payment Systems has 3 profiles with the Better Business Bureau for 3 of its 5 locations. Bluefin Payment Systems’ New York location has been accredited with the Better Business Bureau since 2008 and currently has an A+ rating. Bluefin Payment Systems has only had 1 complaint closed with the BBB in the past 3 years, with 0 in the past 12 months. The sole complaint is in the ”Billing/Collections Issues” category. The complaint alleged that the client cancelled their account in 2010 but received a bill from them in 2014. The issue was resolved soon after it was reported in 2015.

The now closed Tulsa location does not currently have accreditation with the BBB, but does have a profile with an A+ rating. Bluefin Tulsa has only had 1 complaint closed with the BBB in the past 3 years, with 0 in the past 12 months. The sole complaint is in the ”Billing/Collection Issues” category but the details have not been made available. The complaint is listed as answered with assistance from the BBB, but the consumer either did not accept the response or was unsatisfied.

As for Bluefin’s headquarters location in Atlanta, it is accredited with the BBB and has an A+ rating despite having a single customer review of just one star from February of 2021.

So far there are no complaints on Ripoff Report which is a little surprising since they have had media recognition. In March of 2014, Bluefin was featured in Forbes magazine, and was portrayed as a leader in secure payment technology. This indicates that most people have been at least satisfied with the company’s service.

News

In February 2016, Bluefin Payment Systems announced a settlement with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in connection with a telemarketing scheme. The FTC alleged that Bluefin ignored red flags when providing processing for certain clients. Bluefin will pay up to $2.6 million as part of the settlement, and is prohibited from providing processing services to certain types of businesses in the future.

Have you used this company? Leave a review!

SATISFACTION
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0/5

Unlike general web reviews, verified reviews are posted by businesses that have chosen the processor's quote through CardFellow's marketplace, and CardFellow has confirmed with the processor that the business is using its service. Businesses can update verified reviews at any time to ensure the review accurately reflects the processor's performance over time.

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SATISFACTION
RATES & FEES
CUSTOMER SERVICE
2/5

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Posted by Elmira on Jun 03, 2020

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CUSTOMER SERVICE
2.7/5

Very unprofessional to hold the funds without warning or communication. I am filing a complaint with BBB and FTC. I will see if I have to take any further actions against Bluefin's unlawful actions.

Hi Elmira! Thank you for your review and feedback. I wanted to reach out regarding whether your funding issue was resolved and whether you continued processing with Bluefin. We would very much appreciate your feedback. Please email us directly at bd@bluefin.com and we will ensure a member of our senior management team reaches out at your convenience, whether via phone or email. Thank you!

Posted by DANIELLE PLACANICO on Jan 22, 2020

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1/5

Worse company ever! I've only had them a few months and will be changing. They charge people double and triple charges, then their rude customer service reps are no help in getting the money back. I've had more problems in a few months than I had in 26 years with my prior processor. I've asked to have a supervisor call me several times and it never happened.

Posted by JAY on Feb 08, 2018

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CUSTOMER SERVICE
2/5

I used Bluefin as it's a merchant service that's contracted through my electronic online system. The few months I used them has been nothing but headaches, constantly checking my bank accounts as they have complicated system of payment that often causes excessive mischarge and it's very difficult to trace. There are much better and transparent merchant services elsewhere.

Posted by Bridget Griego on Jan 12, 2017

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CUSTOMER SERVICE
3/5

After posting my review the VP of operations reached out to me. She apologized for my inconvenience. Said she reviewed my file and because of it she was implementing new training. She refunded all my fees back including my overdraft. All monies were returned to my account as of today. Overall, she did take the time to listen to me and help me out. I do believe they will be making changes.

Posted by Bridget Griego on Jan 09, 2017

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CUSTOMER SERVICE
1/5

Awful company. Their customer service reps are not trained properly. They don't know what they are doing. I cancelled and closed my account the end of November and paperwork was never completed thoroughly. January comes around and they continue to deduct fees out of my bank account. That causes my account to become overdrawn and they refuse to accept responsibility or refund me bank service charges. Funds deducted from my account on January 4th - I won't see funds replaced in my account until the 20th!! Horrible service!! Horrible company!!

Posted by Curtis Brown on Dec 12, 2016

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CUSTOMER SERVICE
1/5

Bluefin stated that they did not have signed paperwork to close account. I did not even have a programmed terminal 6 months after signup. Be aware if you ever want to close your account. It is a nightmare!

Posted by Donna Edwards on Oct 12, 2016

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CUSTOMER SERVICE
2/5

Bluefin stated that they did not have signed paperwork to close account that was sent in May 2016. I have a signed form and proof of faxing with confirmation and spoke with a representative confirming it. Account has finally been closed in mid September 2016 with no compensation. Be aware if you ever want to close your account. It is a nightmare!

Posted by Mike Hunt on Oct 04, 2016

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RATES & FEES
CUSTOMER SERVICE
2/5

Watch your bank accounts, they add in fees and it's very difficult to trace where they come from. They accumulated over $600.00 fees from my company on top of what was expected. Also, they will charge an "unverified company" fee of you don't complete a questionnaire that we never received. Stay away from Bluefin Payment Processing.

Posted by CardFellow on Mar 04, 2016

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RATES & FEES
CUSTOMER SERVICE
3/5

Bluefin Payment Systems is a larger ISO with a focus on innovation and proprietary systems, especially in the eCommerce space. Like any processor, Bluefin prices its offerings on a per-case basis. What your business will pay to use Bluefin’s service depends on how much (or how little) you know about the true nature of credit card processing fees. Do your homework.

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