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Novera Payment Solutions

ISVs - Easy & Fast Credit Card Payment Gateway Integration

Posted on Tue, Jun 30 2015 @ 04:39 PM

We Make It Easy for Software Developers to Integrate Payments

Novera Payment Solutions is excited to offer a new multifaceted API for software developers with WorldPay’s new Link Gateway feature. The Link Gateway allows you to easily integrate payments into mobile, P.O.S., and even QuickBooks® processing solutions, it can even utilize multiple processor platforms. This new gateway makes it easy for merchants to accept payments anywhere they do business.

integrated software vendor ISV

Our SDK features multiple API programming languages across multiple platforms. Whether online, in person or on-the-go, Novera Payment Solutions and Worldpay make it easier for your customers to take payments anywhere, anytime with our payment gateway integration solution.

Concerned about the EMV transition or PCI compliance?

We are payment processing experts. With WorldPay as a direct acquirer, we understand the unique needs of your business and your customers. That’s why connecting your solution to our link gateway means more than just a technical integration. We simplify your customer’s PCI obligation with our Level 1 PCI Compliant Data Centers and we are ready for EMV !

Novera's Worldpay Link Gateway offers multiple API programming languages which allow you to easily and securely integrate your custom software application. We make sample scripts  available to shorten the learning curve and speed your development.

Our SDK provides multiple integration platforms including:

  • CGI
  • SOAP
  • XML
  • .NET – FirstMile Middleware (PA-DSS certified)

We provide detailed Worldpay Link Gateway payment integration guides  so you have all the information you need for a secure and successful software integration. In addition, we have a team of experts you can contact with questions along the way.

Security: Simplify PCI Scope

Using Novera's SDK and Worldpay Link Gateway combination means the data for transactions processed using the gateway will be hosted outside your location so your customers’ PCI obligation will be simplified and secured. If you choose a service that requires cardholder data to be stored, such as recurring payments, the cardholder data is stored in our gateway for additional security. 

Security: PA-DSS Compliant

Our .NET toolkit provides the ability to simplify PA-DSS Compliance and the associated time and annual audit costs since card data is not stored at the POS. FirstMile Middleware gives you the ability to read credit and debit cards from various hardware devices and securely process transactions via the Payment Gateway. By handling the hardware integration, FirstMile mitigates the ISV’s exposure to costly and ongoing security support required in numerous processing environments. 

Security: Fraud and Risk Management (FRISK)

The proprietary FRISK™ risk management system provides a sophisticated suite of security and fraud detection and prevention options. Each transaction submitted can be filtered through a customizable series of security and fraud detection rules to determine potential risk. Configuration of these rules is under your complete control using our user-friendly merchant administration website.

 

Contact Novera Payment Solutions for Your Credit Card Payment Integration Needs

The Worldpay Link Gateway offers reliable payments processing capabilities and is seamlessly integrated to our entire suite of products and services.

Our servers are hosted in the US and are maintained in a data center certified as meeting Level 1 PCI security standards.

When you choose Novera's Worldpay Link Gateway, you receive a team of experts that can ensure seamless payment integration, customer service and evolve with you as you grow.  Our Link Gateway is a platform that allows you the flexibility to streamline and integrate payment systems with existing applications and software.

The WorldPay Link Gateway is PA-DSS compliant as required by PCI rules. This will put your clients at ease and allow them to focus on their business.

REQUEST A  FREE NO-OBLIGATION CONSULTATION TODAY

Receive the Worldpay API


Tags: payment processing, integrated software vendor, pci compliance, emv transition, credit card processing, flat fee credit card processing, isv, emv

ISVs - Is Your Software Ready for EMV Smart Cards?

Posted on Fri, Jun 12 2015 @ 12:04 PM

With the liability shift quickly approaching in October of 2015, it is a good idea for merchants to have the EMV security measure in place. While compliance is not mandatory for merchants, those who don’t upgrade to EMV-compliant terminals face a liability shift for fraudulent transactions. Integrated payment solutions that combine software with the latest payment processing systems (including EMV capabilities) are the best choice for merchants.

As an ISV, Novera's WorldPay Link Gateway provides the opportunity for you to easily integrate EMV-compliant  payments into mobile, P.O.S., and even QuickBooks® processing solutions, it can even utilize multiple processor platforms. This new gateway makes it easy for merchants to accept payments anywhere they do business.

Integrated Software Vendors EMV transition

For ISV's the benefits are many, including:

  • Customized Merchant Boarding
  • Dedicated ISV Team
  • Flexible Merchant Pricing
  • Revenue Sharing
  • No Risk
  • Reporting Portal
  • Branded Referral Portal
  • Complete Marketing Support
  • Increased User Adoption
  • World Class platform
  • 24 X 7 US Based Support

Our robust API includes:

  • Oracle Database with 99.999% Uptime
  • Debit, Credit, Check, ACH
  • Gift & Loyalty
  • Retail Finance Cards
  • Auth.net emulation
  • QuickBooks® Integration
  • Processor Neutral

With the WorldPay Link Gateway API, you can :

  • Accept All Payment Types
    Allow merchants to accept payments how and when they want including online, point of sale (POS), mail order/telephone order (MOTO) and mobile credit card payments.
  • Real-time and Batch
    Flexibility to process transactions in real-time or batch processing for efficiency.
  • Stored Profile (Tokenization)
    Limit the risk associated with storing sensitive credit card data by using the tokenization and stored profiles.
  • Recurring Billing
    A robust yet easy to use recurring billing system that can be configured to suit the needs of businesses for membership dues or subscriptions fees.
  • WebPay
    Hosted payment solution that offers complete control over payment processing and customer experience without the costs and burden of security compliance for hosted transactions.
  • Fraud and Risk Management (FRISK)
    A customizable fraud and risk management system that maximizes sales and minimizes risk.
  • Instant Accept
    Payment integration plug-in for QuickBooks® POS to help expand the payment types merchants can accept, process and automatically record them within QuickBooks®.
  • Electronic Check
    This Feature Gives merchants flexibility to accept checks through online ACH, check conversion or check 21 and process them using the same gateway process they use for all of other electronic payments.
  • Shopping Carts
    Offer the ability to integrate into a vast array of shopping carts including Volusion, X-Cart, and OS Commerce

Enjoy Peace of Mind with the EMV Transition

The Novera Payment Solutions team understands that protecting your business and your customers is very important. You will be provided the tools and support you need to help simplify your PCI obligations and EMV integration to reduce the risk of fraud.


Our customers span local retailers, restaurants and corner stores to dentists, plumbers and eCommerce merchants—and every one of them can rely on the 24/7 live, US-based support staff who are highly trained to answer questions and resolve any issues that may arise.

A Company You Can Trust

Novera Payment Solutions, LLC (Novera) based in Atlanta is a registered Member Service Provider (MSP) of WorldPay. and a registered Independent Sales Organization (ISO) with Visa & MasterCard.   WorldPay acquires transactions coast to coast and around the globe ranging from brand name companies you already know to independent businesses in your own community. Point of sale authorization through settlement of funds, WorldPay provides the highest standard of payment processing to businesses ...businesses just like yours. WorldPay also offers seamless support and integration with industry-leading point-of-sale platforms and middleware providers, and it works with POS providers to certify new systems to their network on a ongoing basis.

Receive the Worldpay API

Tags: accept credit cards, payment processing, pci compliance, emv fraud liability, emv credit card, emv card, emv transition, credit card processing, isv, emv

Integrated Software Vendor (ISV) Payment Processing

Posted on Wed, May 27 2015 @ 02:01 PM

Novera Payment Solutions is pleased offer the WorldPay Link Gateway for integrated software vendors (ISVs) making it easy to integrate credit card and debit card payments in any application. The Worldpay Link Gateway makes it simple to provide your clients with flexibility to choose the payments provider that fits their needs best. The WorldPay API offers easy integration with Worldpay's “Develop Once” approach. is committed to reducing development time and allowing you to get to market quicker, plus it helps lower your overall program maintenance costs.

 

integrated software vendor

With the WorldPay Link Gateway, you can:

  • Accept All Payment Types - Allow merchants to accept payments how and when they want including online, point of sale (POS), mail order/telephone order (MOTO) and mobile credit card payments.
  • Offer Real-time and Batch - Flexibility to process transactions in real-time or batch processing for efficiency.
  • Store a Profile (Tokenization) - Limit the risk associated with storing sensitive credit card data by using the tokenization and stored profiles.
  • Setup Recurring Billing - A robust yet easy to use recurring billing system that can be configured to suit the needs of businesses for membership dues or subscriptions fees.
  • Offer WebPay - Hosted payment solution that offers complete control over payment processing and customer experience without the costs and burden of security compliance for hosted transactions.
  • Offer  Fraud and Risk Management (FRISK) - A customizable fraud and risk management system that maximizes sales and minimizes risk.
  • Offer  Instant Accept - payment integration plug-in for QuickBooks® POS to help expand the payment types merchants can accept, process and automatically record them within QuickBooks®.
  • Offer  Electronic Checks - This Feature Gives merchants flexibility to accept checks through online ACH, check conversion or check 21 and process them using the same gateway process they use for all of other electronic payments.
  • Integrate with Shopping Carts - Offer the ability to integrate into a vast array of shopping carts including Volusion, X-Xart, and OS Commerce

 

 

Features & Benefits

  • Customized Merchant Boarding
  • Dedicated ISV Team
  • Flexible Merchant Pricing
  • Revenue Sharing
  • No Risk
  • Reporting Portal
  • Branded Referral Portal
  • Complete Marketing Support
  • Increased User Adoption
  • World Class platform
  • 24 X 7 US Based Support

 

 

About the WorldPay API

  • Oracle Database with 99.999% Uptime
  • Debit, Credit, Check, ACH
  • Gift & Loyalty
  • Retail Finance Cards
  • Auth.net emulation
  • QuickBooks® Integration
  • Processor Neutral

 

 

Benefits for Merchants

  • 24/7 Merchant Support
  • AMEX OPT Blue program
  • Weekend & Next-day Funding
  • Merchant Reporting Portal

The WorldPay Link Gateway is PA-DSS compliant as required by PCI rules. This will put your clients at ease and allow them to focus on their business. To receive the WorldPay API, click the button below, complete the short form, and it will be sent to you!

Receive the Worldpay API

Tags: payment processing, integrated software vendor, accept online credit cards, credit card processing, isv

Easy Integrated Credit Card Payment Processing for Software Vendors

Posted on Sat, May 16 2015 @ 11:32 AM

Novera Payment Solutions is very excited to offer a new multifaceted API for software developers with WorldPay’s new Link Gateway feature. The Link Gateway allows you to easily integrate credit card payments into mobile, P.O.S., and even QuickBooks® processing solutions, it can even utilize multiple processor platforms. This new gateway makes it easy for merchants to accept payments anywhere they do business.

The Worldpay Link Gateway makes it easy to provide your clients with flexibility to choose the payments provider that fits their needs best.

integrated credit card payments

Easy Integration

Worldpays “Develop Once” approach is committed to reducing development time and allowing you to get to market quicker, plus it helps lower your overall program maintenance costs.

Security

The WorldPay Link Gateway is PA-DSS compliant as required by PCI rules. This will put your clients at ease and allow them to focus on their business.

Gateway Features

From all major credit and debit cards to ACH/check protocols, the WorldPay Link Gateway provides consolidated, flexible options for virtually every US payment transaction type and method. 

Accept Payments Anywhere, Anytime

  • Novera and WorldPay work hard to understand our customers' needs. Whether your clients sell face-to-face, online, on-the-go or even by MOTO (Mail Order Telephone Order), our flexible services enable your clients to securely accept payments anywhere, anytime.


  • Your clients will have the ability to accept a wide range of payment types, from VISA®, MasterCard®, Discover®, American Express®, debit and gift cards to loyalty cards, checks, Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) and ACH (direct debit).


Greater Peace of Mind

  • We understand protecting your business and your customers is very important. You will be provided the tools and support you need to help simplify your PCI obligations and reduce the risk of fraud.

  • Our customers span local retailers, restaurants and corner stores to dentists, plumbers and eCommerce merchants—and every one of them can rely on the 24/7 live, US-based support staff who are highly trained to answer questions and resolve any issues that may arise.

About the WorldPay Link Gateway

  • Accept All Payment Types - Allow merchants to accept payments how and when they want including online, point of sale (POS), mail order/telephone order (MOTO) and mobile credit card payments.
  • Real-time and Batch - Flexibility to process transactions in real-time or batch processing for efficiency.
  • Stored Profile (Tokenization) - Limit the risk associated with storing sensitive credit card data by using the tokenization and stored profiles.
  • Recurring Billing - A robust yet easy to use recurring billing system that can be configured to suit the needs of businesses for membership dues or subscriptions fees.
  • WebPay - Hosted payment solution that offers complete control over payment processing and customer experience without the costs and burden of security compliance for hosted transactions.
  • Fraud and Risk Management (FRISK) - A customizable fraud and risk management system that maximizes sales and minimizes risk.
  • Instant Accept - payment integration plug-in for QuickBooks® POS to help expand the payment types merchants can accept, process and automatically record them within QuickBooks®.
  • Electronic Check - This Feature Gives merchants flexibility to accept checks through online ACH, check conversion or check 21 and process them using the same gateway process they use for all of other electronic payments.
  • Shopping Carts - Offer the ability to integrate into a vast array of shopping carts including Volusion, X-Xart, and OS Commerce

Request a Complimentary Integration Consultation

Request Information About Our ISV Program

Tags: accept credit cards, payment processing, integrated software vendor, accept online credit cards, online credit card payments, isv

Accept Mobile Credit Card Payments with Novera Payment Solutions

Posted on Mon, May 04 2015 @ 02:48 PM

Accept Credit Card Payments ANYWHERE

Whether you are in the trades or operate  a delivery business and want to accept credit or debit card payments on the road, Novera Payment Solutions' mobile card reader is the best choice for your company. You can accept mobile credit card payments today with Novera's mobile card reader! It’s fast and easy to set up. With no need for a fixed broadband connection, you can accept payments anywhere you have mobile coverage.

integrated software vendor (isv)

Novera Payment Solutions Makes Mobile Payments as EASY as 1-2-3!

1. Swipe the customer’s card on your mobile card reader

2. Enter the payment amount

3. Customer accepts payment

You can now accept payments wherever your business takes you. With Novera, you'll enjoy fast and reliable processing from virtually any internet-enabled device. You can process payments easily and manage reporting from your mobile device. Simply download the mobile app to start accepting payments, add tax and tips, and email receipts with just a few screen taps!

Advantages of Mobile Payments?

  • Make a call; make a sale! Mobile payments turn any compatible mobile device into your handheld terminal.

  • Accept credit card payments anywhere with mobile network coverage

  • Accept all major credit or debit cards

  • Your funds, faster

  • Take payments in seconds

  • Real Time Reporting

  • We offer 24-hour support, every day of the year with WorldPay

Mobile Payments are a Necessity

Many businesses struggle to keep up with the pace of mobile innovation.  Will you accept the challenge?  Novera Payment Solutions is here to help you get setup to accept mobile credit card payments. We even offer a QuickBooks Plugin so can seamlessly accept credit card buttons directly through your existing QuickBooks software.  We are a leader in the credit card payments industry and we are committed to helping businesses improve their bottom line by providing significant savings on credit card processing fees through our innovative flat fee merchant account pricing model. 

Contact Novera today to learn more about how we can help you!

 

Request a FREE QUOTE

Tags: payment processing, accept mobile credit card payments, accept online credit cards, online credit card payments, mobile payments

PCI Compliance is a MUST for Small Merchants

Posted on Thu, Apr 16 2015 @ 01:23 PM

A common misconception by many small businesses is that they are too small to have to worry about PCI compliance. This couldn't be further from the truth. If you accept credit cards online, you are required to be PCI compliant. If you are not, your business can face very steep fines.

You are solely responsible for securing your customer cardholder data to meet Payment Card Industry rules.

Small merchants are prime targets for data thieves ... in fact, they are some of the biggest targets because they are the easiest targets. It’s your job to protect cardholder data at the point-of-sale. If cardholder data is stolen (and it’s your fault) you could incur fines, penalties, even termination of the right to accept payment cards, which could be catastrophic for your business.

pci compliance for small business

Why Does PCI Compliance Matter for a Small Business?

According to the PCI Security Standards websute, more than 340 million computer records containing sensitive personal information have been involved in security breaches in the U.S. since 2005. Criminals target small merchants because most have minimal security for cardholder data. More than 80% of attacks target small merchants.

If you are at fault for a card holder security breach, your small business can face:

  • Fines and penalties
  • Loss of the ability to accept payment cards
  • Cost of reissuing new payment cards
  • Legal costs
  • Fraud losses
  • Loss of the business

What to Secure

Focus first on protecting the cardholder data under your control.

You are responsible for protecting cardholder data at the point of sale, and as it flows into your credit card payment system. The single best step you can take is to not store any cardholder data.

PCI compliance includes protecting:

  • Card readers
  • Point of sale systems
  • Store networks & wireless access routers
  • Payment card data storage and transmission
  • Payment card data stored in paper-based records

Small Businesses May Evaluate with a Self-Assessment Questionnaire

Most small merchants can use a self-validation tool to assess their security for cardholder data, which includes a short list of yes-or-no questions for compliance. You can access self-assessment questionnaires on the PCI Security Standards website.

How to Meet the PCI Security Standards

The PCI Security Standards website is an invaluable resource for small businesses working to be PCI compliant. Their suggestions include:

  • Buy and use only approved PIN entry devices at your points-of-sale. 
  • Buy and use only validated payment software at your POS or website shopping cart. 
  • Do not store any sensitive cardholder data in computers or on paper.
  • Use a firewall on your network and PCs.
  • Make sure your wireless router is password-protected and uses encryption.
  • Use strong passwords.
  • Regularly check PIN entry devices and PCs to make sure no one has installed rogue software or “skimming” devices.
  • Teach your employees about security and protecting cardholder data.
  • Follow the PCI standard ongoing 3-step process (below)

 

PCI Compliance: Ongoing 3-step process

  • Assess
    This includes identifying cardholder data, taking an inventory of your IT assets and business processes for payment card processing, and analyzing them for vulnerabilities.
  • Remediate
    Includes fixing vulnerabilities and not storing cardholder data unless you need it.
  • Report
    Includes compiling and submitting required reports to the acquiring bank and card brands you do business with.

The bottom line is that PCI compliance DOES MATTER no matter what the size of your business. We understand that it can seem cumberson for small businesses, but that's no reason to put it off or ignore it. The livelihood of your business may be at stake if you suffer a data breach.

The Novera Payment Solutions team works with small businesses to help alleviate the burden of meeting the PCI compliance standards. Our PIN entry devices and POS systems are PCI compliant, so you don't have to worry. We can also assist you with the PCI compliance self-evaluation and answer an questions you might have.

Don't take the risk. Find out if you are PCI compliant TODAY, and let us help you take the necessary steps to get there if you are not.

CONTACT NOVERA PAYMENT SOLUTIONS for a no obligation PCI compliance review.

Help! PCI Compliance Makes My Head Hurt

Tags: accept credit cards, payment processing, merchant account, pci compliance, accept online credit cards, credit card processing, online credit card payments

The EMV Transition - How It Affects Your Merchant Account : Part 1

Posted on Mon, Mar 09 2015 @ 09:42 AM

What is EMV?

EMV is an open-standard set of specifications that ensures functionality between smart chip cards and payment t erminals. EMV originated as a joint effort among Europay, MasterCard® and Visa® to improve payment safety through better card security and improved standards. Today, EMVco is owned by Visa, UnionPay, MasterCard, JCB, Discover and American Express. Payments industry organizations participate with EMVco as technical and business associates. Worldpay is a business associate in EMVco. Find more information at www.emvco.com

emv credit card transition

 

How are chip cards different from existing magnetic stripe card technology?

The EMV “chip” is a secure microprocessor built into a card or other payment devices (e.g. mobile wallet on smart phone). The chip generates a unique number for each sales transaction, making it extremely difficult to use a cloned card fraudulently on a card-present transaction. Magnetic stripe cards use static cardholder data that remains the same for every transaction, which makes them attractive targets for theft , cloning and use in card fraud. In addition to strong security features, chip technology includes other capabilities—like Near Field Communications (NFC) technology—which lets merchants accommodate both contact and contactless payments.

 

Why are EMV chip cards being promoted as a payment standard in the US?

EMV chip cards are already well-established outside the US, particularly in Europe. Crime migrates to the easiest targets, which right now includes the US. Upgrading to the EMV standard is anticipated to greatly reduce card fraud here in the US.

 

Why will more US merchants move to the EMV standard in 2015?

Beginning October 1, 2015, the major card networks agreed to shift financial responsibility for losses due to counterfeit card-present card fraud to the party using the least secure technology. Merchants that want to avoid this liability should implement EMV chip technology in their point-of-sale (POS) devices before the deadline. Chip and PIN payment devices are deemed most secure for card-present transactions. Ask Worldpay if you need help making decisions about EMV POS device purchases.

 

What does the financial liability shift mean and how will that affect my business?

Merchants who don’t use EMV capable—and enabled—POS equipment aft er October 1, 2015 will be responsible for card-present fraud losses in the following instances:

  • Counterfeit EMV card: Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express move liability to the merchant
  • Lost or stolen card: American Express, Discover and MasterCard move liability to the merchant; Visa keeps liability with the issuer

Please note a chip and PIN terminal provides the most secure transaction environment available today.

If you have any questions about the EMV transition, contact Novera Payment Solutions. We are here to make the transition as easy as possible for our clients.

Request Information About the EMV Transition

Tags: accept credit cards, flat fee merchant account, payment processing, merchant account, emv fraud liability, emv credit card, emv card, emv transition, flat fee credit card processing, emv

Some Fraud Liability Will Shift to Your Merchant Account Oct 1, 2015

Posted on Wed, Feb 18 2015 @ 09:28 AM

EMV is coming to the USA and it's time to plan for the EMV transition.

17-20 million EMV cards were in use in the USA as of May 2014, according to the EMV Migration Forum. A report by the Aite Group projects up to 70% of US credit cards will have EMV chips by 2015.

As a result of the EMV transition, some fraud liability will shift to merchants beginning on October 1st, 2015, which is right around the corner.  The Novera team wants to ease your transition to EMV with important information that you need to know. 

We'll be publishing a series of blogs over the coming months to help you with the transition, and we thought the logical place to being is with a basic timeline of the EMV transition.

emv fraud liability

 

EMV Transition Timeline for Merchant Liability

APRIL 1, 2014

The transition actually started in early 2014 with these two items for VISA merchants:

  • VISA : Card issuer liable for all unattended, online chip card terminals that support transactions without a signature or PIN
  • VISA : New, unattended, online chip-enabled terminals must support transactions without a signature or PIN

JULY 1, 2015

VISA : All new and existing unattended, online chip-enabled terminals, except ATMs, must support transactions without a signature or PIN hardware upgrades are recommended by this date.

OCTOBER 1, 2015

ALL CARDS
Counterfeit liability shifts to merchants if a Non-EMV-enabled POS device is used for a card-present EMV chip transaction, except for automated fuel transactions and ATMs (excluding previous liability shift for International Maestro ATM transactions)

AMERICAN EXPRESS & MASTERCARD
Liability for lost or stolen cards shifts to merchants using Non-EMV-enabled POS device
for a card-present EMV chip transaction, except for automated fuel transactions.

DISCOVER & PULSE
Liability for lost or stolen cards shifts to merchants using, 1) Non-EMV-enabled
POS device or, 2) EMV-enabled POS device that does not support PIN for a card-present EMV chip transaction, except for automated fuel transactions.

 

OCTOBER 1, 2017

ALL CARDS
Counterfeit liability shifts to merchants using Non-EMV-enabled POS device for a card-
present EMV chip transaction for automated fuel transactions.

MASTERCARD & DISCOVER
Liability for lost or stolen cards shifts to merchants for automated fuel transactions using Non-EMV-enabled POS device for a card-present EMV chip transaction for automated fuel transactions

As a Business Who Accepts Credit Cards, Here's What you Need to Know About EMV Now

In a nutshell, the USA credit cand debit card payments industry has been chugging along on old technology while the rest of the world has implemented EMV card technology for more than a decade.

As recent data breach headlines suggest, criminals focus on the easiest targets and right now, that is the USA. But not for much longer.

In order to avoid potential liability while ensuring customer transaction security, many merchants plan to implement EMV technology. As a country, the USA is moving toward the EMV standard as a direct result of the payment networks shifting specific fraud liability to merchants starting on October 1, 2015.

The bottom line is that you need to understand what your liability is as a merchant and how to protect yourself.  This is where the Novera Payment Solutions team comes in. If you are aren't sure where to start, or even what questions to ask, please take the time to contact us. Our goal is to make your transition as easy as possible. Our hands-on, consultative approach to the credit card payments industry, not only saves our clients money in credit card processing fees, it also saves them in lost time trying to weave through the complicated maze of credit card processing liability.  Novera Payment Solutions is a team you can count on for all aspects of your credit card processing needs.


Request Information About the EMV Transition

Tags: flat fee merchant account, payment processing, merchant account, emv fraud liability, emv credit card, emv transition, credit card processing, flat fee credit card processing, online credit card payments, credit card fraud

10 Facts You Probably Didn't Know About Credit Card Processing

Posted on Sat, Jan 31 2015 @ 12:08 PM

If your business accepts credit cards, you may think you already know everything that you need to know. But here are 10 facts that you may not be aware of. Being armed with this information can save your business money and improve your bottom line.

credit card processing

 

 

 

  1. You can now require a $10 minimum purchase for credit card use. Visa and MasterCard used to prohibit this, but the Durbin Amendment now allows it. This is NOT true for debit cards, however.

  2. Credit card processing fees are tax deductible and it's typically a sizable deduction for businesses that accept cards. As tax season approaches, don't forget to take this deduction!

  3. Using your local bank does not save you money on credit card processing. Most local banks outsource credit card processing services to third party sales teams who work for larger processors. By using your local bank you are likely paying more than if you went direct to the processor since it's adding another layer to the pot.

  4. There is only one part of your credit card processing cost that is negotiable and that is the processor's markup over interchange and assessments. Interchange and assessment are the same for all credit card processors. This is why Novera's fixed flat fee merchant account pricing structure is so attractive to businesses. It saves them money and there are no surprises.

  5. You can now pass credit card processing fees through to customers. This change occured in 2013. Whether you SHOULD, however, is another topic altogether.

  6. Make sure you don't find yourself on the "TMF". The terminated merchant file is essentially the credit card processing blacklist. A credit card processor can add you to the TMF if they suspect you of misusing your merchant account for fraudulent purposes. If your business or name is on this list, it can cause you to have to pay higher rates or make it difficult for you to get a merchant account in the future.

  7. Credit card processors monitor your chargeback ratio closely. Pay attention to the number of chargebacks you receive ... if your percentage of chargebacks to total transactions is too high, your merchant account can be cancelled or unsettled funds withheld.

  8. Not using AVS (address verification service) can cost you money. Visa, MasterCard and Discover require the customer's billing address be entered for all card-not-present transactions. If you don't provide it, it will result in a downgraded transaction (resulting in higher fees).

  9. Business owners foot the bill for cardholder reward programs. The banks pass the cost of their cardholder reward programs to businesses through higher interchange fees on reward-based cards.

  10. Tiered merchant account pricing costs you more. You know you have a tiered pricing structure when your processor quotes three different rates: qualified, mid-qualified, and non-qualified. They suck you in with a super low "qualified" rate ... but what they fail to tell you is that most of your transactions will actually fall into the non-qualified higher rate. Novera Payment Solutions' fixed flat fee merchant program takes the mystery out tiered pricing by offering a single flat rate to save you money.

Get some straight talk and learn why a merchant account including our “flat fee advantage” can be one of the best business decisions you’ll ever make. We are happy to offer a FREE savings analysis to show you how Novera Payment Solutions can save you significant money on your credit card processing fees.

Request a No-Obligation Quote!

Tags: accept credit cards, flat fee merchant account, payment processing, merchant account, credit card processing, flat fee credit card processing, online credit card payments

11 Tips To Secure Business Data - Part of PCI Compliance

Posted on Thu, Jan 22 2015 @ 02:26 PM

Cybercrime is a serious and ongoing threat to businesses. Your business files may be at great risk if a hacker gains access to your PC or network. Keeping a computer free of viruses and your network protected should be a number one priority. Not only is it important to protect your personal and business data, it's essential for PCI compliance.

pci compliance

Here are 11 ways that you can protect yourself and business data stored on your computer:

  1. It is critical you have an up-to-date antivirus software and anti-malware software. While this will not protect you from everything, it's better than having nothing at all.
     
  2. Make sure you have all of the latest updates for your computer's operating system. You can set Windows to automatically download and install updates.

  3. Be mindful of the websites you are browsing. Generally, if it looks suspicious, it is.

  4. Do not save your passwords list as a file on your computer. Keep this handy elsewhere. Also, do not use the same password for each website. For very important accounts, create a randomly generated password as this greatly increases its security.

  5. You can set your computer to password lock itself when it goes to sleep. This is important to keep others from accessing your account if you step away.

  6. Backup your data often. There are many ways you can backup data whether it be on a thumb drive, an external hard drive, or a cloud based solution such as Dropbox or Google Drive.

  7. Keep your personal data off of your work computer. If you want to have access to these files, leave them on a thumb drive or external hard drive.

  8. If using a laptop, never leave it in a location where it’s easily visible. This increases the risk for it to be stolen. 

  9. When browsing email, be careful of the links and attachments you open. Unless they are from a known source, it's better to not open them until you are able to scan the email for threats.

  10. Clear your internet cookies regularly. These files are generally where web-based viruses are stored. This can be done weekly or monthly and will typically prevent any malicious files or programs from infecting your computer.

  11. Limit access to files to ONLY those who need it. This can prevent unauthorized access and keep your data safe.

How PCI Compliance Fits In

Merchants who are PCI Compliant have security controls to prevent, detect, and react to breaches. PCI Compliance is not optional for merchants ... it's a requirement for all businesses who accept credit cards. Failure to meet the requirements can be extremely costly for business owners if they ever fall victim to a breach on their system.

The standards are set by PCI Security Standard Council. Their website is extensive and has more information than you could ever want to know about becoming PCI Compliant and maintaining the standard for your business.  https://www.pcisecuritystandards.org/

At Novera Payment Solutions we work hard to take to take the headache out of PCI Compliance for you.  Give us a call ... not only can we possibly save you money over your current credit card processing solution with our flat fee merchant account, but we will guide you through PCI Compliance maze and make it simple to get up and running!

 

Help! PCI Compliance Makes My Head Hurt

Tags: accept credit cards, payment processing, merchant account, pci compliance, accept online credit cards, credit card processing, online credit card payments