Good Practices
- Keep the transaction slip and the merchandise behind the counter until the sale has been completed. This prevents anyone from stealing your copy of the sales draft, or from running out of the store with your merchandise if the authorization is declined.
- Never accept a letter that claims to give a customer permission to use someone else's card. Only the authorized signatory can use the card.
- Do not accept credit card payments over the phone, by mail, fax or on the Internet unless you have a special merchant agreement. These agreements can be obtained by contacting Global Payments.
Business Owner Beware
Seasonal fraud specialists who do not have their own merchant accounts often approach legitimate merchants. They will typically offer you a kickback in exchange for depositing transactions through your account. It is important that you only process your own transactions.
- Be wary of high-pressure telemarketers who want to sell you printer paper, toner or other supplies for your Global Payments transaction solution. Purchase supplies only through an authorized Global Payments dealer.
- Make sure your staff know the proper procedures for credit card transactions and follow card acceptance procedures.
- Efficient accounting and reconciliation of your receipts can help pinpoint potential account problems quickly.
- Encourage your staff to report anyone who tries to coerce them into "skimming off" the account data from the magnetic stripe on a credit card. Some criminals use wallet-sized, cordless devices to retrieve this information and produce counterfeit cards.
When The Card Is Not Present, Be Cautious
You and your staff are our most effective weapons against fraud.
Statistics show that the risk of fraud increases when the card and customer are not present at the point of sale.
"Card-not-present" transactions include catalog purchases, telephone or fax orders and Internet sales. They can also include recurring payments, such
as automatic donations and subscriptions.
You cannot accept mail, fax, phone or Internet transactions without a specific type of merchant agreement. Without it, you are not only vulnerable to fraud and chargeback losses, but you risk losing your merchant privileges.
So, before accepting a card-not-present transaction, make sure that you have the proper agreement. Then, take the necessary steps to prevent chargebacks:
- Start by getting authorization for every transaction. This reduces the likelihood of processing an expired or invalid card.
- Never ship items to hotels, office lobbies, or post office boxes. Without a permanent address, there’s no way to verify whether the shipment has been received or follow up with the customer.
- If a customer contacts you to cancel a recurring transaction, stop billing immediately.
- Protect yourself by making sure your return policy is clearly stated on your order forms, website, advertising and catalog materials.
When You Use Credit Cards
Most merchants are also credit card users. Here are some tips you, as a consumer, can take to reduce the chances of becoming a victim:
- Always cut up old cards.
- Sign new cards as soon as they arrive. Use permanent ink.
- Keep a list of your active cards in a safety deposit box, with account numbers and the number to call if the cards become lost or stolen.
- Only carry the cards you plan to use.
- Store your Social Security number somewhere other than your wallet.
- Do not give credit card information to a phone solicitor.
- Do not keep sensitive information at work.
Take Charge
Protection from Credit Card Fraud
Global Payments never sends emails requesting customer passwords or log in credentials. Protect your personal information and never click on unsolicited web links provided in an email or other correspondence.
Information Security
Frequently Asked Questions
Preventing Fraud
Losing any amount of money to fraud is too much. From merchant chargebacks to higher operating costs, fraud affects us all. The most efficient place to prevent fraud is at the point of sale, by making sure your employees follow these simple guidelines for every credit card transaction:
Avoiding Shoplifting
Everyone who works in your store should be on the lookout for possible shoplifters. Although shoplifters are seldom violent, it's a good idea not to attempt to physically restrain them. Call the police or security immediately.
Here are some tips to help you identify likely suspects:
- Be wary of customers returning to the same counter — it could mean they are scouting or loading up on a particular item.
- Watch for customers "browsing" without any apparent focus.
- Be on the lookout for people who come into your store with large shopping bags. These are often used by shoplifters to "scoop up" merchandise.
