Accepting credit cards for your business is critical in today's marketplace. The challenge is understanding all the fees associated with this necessity. Many credit card processing companies take advantage of business owners' lack of knowledge and overcharge them ... by a lot!

Novera Payment Solutions is pleased to offer our popular "Understanding Credit Card Processing" webinar again. This webinar will take a short 40 minutes of your time, but will arm you with the information you need to ensure you do not overpay for credit card processing.

If any of these questions apply to you, this webinar will be an excellent use of your time.

1. Is your statement from your merchant processing company complicated and confusing?
   
2. Do you fully understand the difference between "Qualified", "Mid-Qualified", "Non-Qualified", and how these terms determine what you are charged for each transaction?
   
3. Are you PCI compliant?
4. Are you surprised by the credit card processing fees you incur each month?
5. Do you have to wait several days to see the payments deposited in your account?

REGISTER TODAY!

Join us in an educational webinar on July 23, 2015 @ 2:00 PM EST designed to help you understand the in's and out's of credit card processing. This FREE webinar will be 45 minutes or less and we guarantee you will take away practical information to help you make smart choices when shopping around for credit card processing services. There's a good chance this webinar will save your business money too!

As an attendee of this webinar you will gain the following:

• Ability to understand Visa/MC/Disc true underlying cost which in turn will help you negotiate better pricing for your own merchant account
  
• Knowledge on how to make sure you are getting a truly fair deal for payment processing services (you'd be surprised the percentage of companies who are being taken advantage of -- make sure yours isn't one of them!)
  
• Awareness of the latest in technology available in the market place today, including mobile payments
  
• Practical tips that you can implement right now to keep your processing costs down
• Best practices for keeping your customers' cardholder data secure, including EMV and maintaining PCI compliance.

Merchants can breathe easy with the WorldPay API. Our merchant account risk settings allow you to reduce fraudulent orders on your website, and thereby save money. Because fraud risks are constantly changing, Novera Payment Solutions and Worldpay put significant resources into staying ahead of the trends in fraud management. This saves our clients the large expenses associated with managing fraudulent transactions.

How We Do It

The Worldpay API verifies every single transaction against a minimum of 200 validation tests in less than a second. This helps reduces false sales and chargebacks.

For merchants, this aspect of the Worldpay API is preset to values which we know work well for the majority of businesses. There are two settings that merchants can change, however: 1) the Card Security Code check; and 2) address verification.

Address Verification

Address verification (AVS) checks the numeric values of the address provided by your customer against the information that this customer's bank has on file, producing either a full, partial or mis-match. AVS is used by all UK and USA card issuers and by certain issuers in other countries.

If AVS is switched on, Worldpay will decline all transactions which produce an AVS mis-match. Partial matches will not automatically be declined due to this check alone, and the same for transactions where AVS is not available from the customer's bank, in order to avoid creating too many missed orders for you.  However this means that AVS cannot be your only defense against fraud, and for this reason, Worldpay strongly recommends that you also switch on the Card Security Code check.

Card Security Code Check

The Card Security Code is the 3-digit number on the back of the card (unless it's an AMEX card, then is the 4-digit code on the front). The Card Security Code check ensures that the number provided by your customer matches that on file at their bank. If there is a mismatch WorldPay will automatically decline transactions.

The address verification check and Card Security Code check settings are both turned on by default in the Worldpay API when you sign up with Novera Payment Solutions.

Enhancing Risk Effectiveness

The risk checking feature is most effective when more information is provided about an order.

WorldPay recommends that the following details are included with every order:

• Full Name
• Billing Address of Card
• Payment Method
• Delivery / Shipping Address
• Shopper IP Address
• Shopper's session ID on your site

We understand that merchant accounts and risk assessment can seem cumbersome for small businesses, but that's no reason to ignore it. The livelihood of your business can suffer if you experience too many fraudulent transactions.

The Novera Payment Solutions team works with small businesses to help alleviate the burden of credit card processing risk assessment and mitigation.  We can also assist you with PCI compliance and answer any questions you might have.

About Novera Payment Solutions

Novera Payment Solutions is a leader in the credit card payments industry. We are committed to helping businesses improve their bottom line by providing significant savings on credit card processingfees through our innovative flat fee merchant account pricing model.

Contact Novera to learn how you can accept credit cards for your business!

Novera Payment Solutions offers technology partners the ability to process credit cards through the powerful WorldPay platform. Whether you are looking to integrate card present, card-not-present (or a combination) into the software of your merchants, Novera Payment Solutions' services are unmatched in the industry.

We are experts in payments - and we share what we know to help your business prosper.

• Our WorldPay platform is powered by one of the world’s leading credit card payments companies.

• We work with all types and all sizes of business, making it easier for you to integrate credit card payments, keep your customers online and open for busineses.

Benefits of WorldPay's Integrated Software Vendor Program

• 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

API Benefits

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

Merchant Benefits

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

Why Novera Payment Solutions for Integrated Software Vendors?

Our tools allow you to integrate merchant accounts with point of sale, eCommerce, and mobile payments into any application. Through the self-service sandbox, you can test transactions and explore payments functionality prior to production.

Integrate payments into your application to provide your customers with the payment options they need - card present, card not present and mobile. Our software development kit (SDK) and APIs allow you to integrate with ease.

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.

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.

What makes EMV transactions secure?

Card authentication, cardholder verification and transaction authorization processes are all enhanced with EMV. Specifically:

Card Authentication: Is the card real? Unique data for each transaction travels between card, the POS device and issuer to ensure authenticity. EMV transactions also create unique transaction data, making captured transaction data incapable of being used to execute additional, new transactions.

Cardholder Verification Method (CVM): This step validates the cardholder as the legitimate owner of the card, using verification parameters set up by the issuer. The issuer of the card determines which of the following four methods will be required for a particular transaction: online PIN, offl ine PIN, signature or no CVM required. EMV supports each of these four verification methods.

Transaction Authorization: Like today’s magnetic stripe transactions, transaction information is sent to the issuer for approval. What’s different is a transaction-specific cryptogram (code) is also sent to the issuer who then either approves or declines the transaction and sends a unique response cryptogram back to the POS device for the card to interpret and validate the transaction. The dynamic exchange of information needed to execute each transaction provides the extra security missing from the static, old technology used in magnetic stripe transactions.

How many US credit cards will be EMV-enabled by the end of 2015?

The Aite Group predicts 70% of US credit cards will be EMV-enabled by the end of 2015. It also predicts there will be 4.5 million EMVcapable payment terminals in the US market by the end of 2014, and growing to nearly 7 million terminals by end of 2015. (The Aite Group, LLC, is an organization that provides research and advisory services focused on business, technology, and regulatory issues and their impact on the financial services industry.)

What are the key benefits of moving to the EMV standard?

• Improves transaction security for credit and debit card-present environments
• Creates common cardholder experience globally
• Supports multiple methods of cardholder verification (signature, pin, etc.), providing flexibility of payment acceptance without sacrificing security
• Bundles emerging technologies - POS devices with chip technology are often grouped with NFC (contactless) and mobile; EMV adoption accelerates merchant capabilities to accept payments in new ways

When can US businesses expect customers to begin presenting EMV chip cards for payment?

Now. The Smart Card Alliance/EMV Migration Forum in May 2014 estimated chip cards in the US total between 17 and 20 million. It’s important for businesses to develop EMV POS equipment adoption plans now.

Should merchants upgrade or buy new POS hardware and PIN pad devices?

Review existing POS equipment or systems to learn if upgrades are possible or whether new EMV-compatible POS hardware must be purchased.

Standalone POS. The only job of stand-alone POS is to authorize and clear payment card transactions and it is the easiest EMV solution to implement.

• Is your POS device EMV compatible? (Does it have a slot for EMV cards? EMV-compatible terminals have a slot, typically located at the bottom of the terminal, into which the EMV chip card is inserted and read; this slot is different from the side swipe used with magnetic stripe cards.)
• If POS EMV compatible, will you need to schedule a service call to have EMV software installed or will a remote software download be available? (Ask your payment processor—which is Worldpay if we do your payment processing)
• Worldpay’s standalone EMV solutions: POS VX 520 terminal and VX 680 wireless terminal. A remote EMV software download will be scheduled before the October 1, 2015, liability shift.

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

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.

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 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.