Fed Update: They’re Listening. Probably.

They wanted to hear from merchants, processors, bankers, and other, about what could be do to further bring the payment system here in the U.S. (and the way that payment system interacts with systems outside the U.S.) even further into the 21st century, in terms of speed, convenience, security, etc.

More Businesses Continue to Turn to Mobile Phone Credit Card Processing

With cell phone credit card readers, your business can enjoy increased profits and flexibility. Mobile use continues to increase across the board; from internet surfing to shopping and selling. Yes, selling. With mobile phone credit card processing, you can complete business transactions on the go, from anywhere. You can carry the power of a retail location right in your pocket. You can even use them at your retail location, as many businesses now are.

Is Card Security Coming to U.S. Credit… “At Last?”

The wake of the biggest data breach in U.S. history continues with its fallout, including the news from targeted Target that the hackers originally were able to pilfer their way into the discount chain’s system by “using electronic credentials stolen from a vendor,” according to an article in the Wall Street Journal.  

Benefits of a Merchant Account for Website

If you have a website that you sell goods or services from, a merchant account for website lets you securely accept credit cards 24 hours a day, 7 day a week. This allows your customers to easily make a transaction anytime. Once set up, it’s completely hands-free for you so customers can make purchases even if you are sleeping or away on vacation. You will both receive an email notification of the transaction immediately.

The Yin and Yang of It: Retailers Push for Secure Cards, Target Already Tried Them

The news of course, in the wake of the most infamous consumer data breach yet, just gets newsier. Some reports indicate that information going back as far as ten years, on Target customers, could have been pilfered in the breach. One couple near the U.S. / Mexican border was arrested after having a cache of false credit cards in their possession, made from what appears to be a  fraction of the stolen data.

Accept Checks and Credit Cards with a Merchant Account

A merchant account will enable you to accept checks and credit cards, ensuring you have a safe, effective way to process payments. Most businesses know they need to accept credit cards these days but many customers still use checks so it’s still important to be able to accept checks online (as well as offline). Not offering your customer’s preferred payment method could mean a lost sale.

Claws and Roars: Target, Neiman-Marcus, and Beyond

Yes, there’s more to report on the Target Breach and its fallout. We know, as Pymnts.com columinist Karen Webster wrote, that “The Target data breach is old news to most people by now, but the ’terrible roars’ unleashed by those responsible for this breach will be heard throughout the payments industry for years to come. And, the marks left by the ‘terrible claws’ on the future of retail payments and consumer payment habits may in fact become indelible.”