eProcessing Network EPN Payment Gateway

The eProcessing Network Secure Payment Gateway allows merchants to accept credit cards and other forms of payment in a secure, real-time environment directly from their website, through Mobile devices and directly from their place of business.

Real-time authorizations ensure the validity and accuracy of each transaction and merchants get the added convenience of having funds deposited directly to their specified account(s). With a payment gateway, merchants can have multiple users entering transactions from various locations, all at the same time.

So let’s take a closer look at how a transaction is processed when a customer orders a product from a payment gateway-enabled merchant:

A customer makes a purchase — either online, over the phone or in person — and the billing information is sent via Secure Socket Layer (SSL) encryption from the customer’s browser to the merchant’s web server.
The merchant’s website receives the information and in turn forwards it to the payment gateway through another SSL encrypted connection.
The payment gateway takes the information and forwards the transaction information to the payment processor used by the merchant’s bank and then transmits the credit card information to the appropriate credit card issuer (i.e. MasterCard and Visa).
The credit card routes the transaction to the correct card issuing bank. If the card used was an American Express or Discover, the processor acts as the issuing bank and directly provides an approval or denial back to the payment gateway.
Once the transaction is received by the issuing bank, it is reviewed to ensure that sufficient funds are available to cover the transaction and then sends an authorization code back to the processor. If the transaction is approved, the code allows the transaction to be completed. If the transaction was declined, the authorization code provides the details as to why the transaction failed (i.e. insufficient funds, connection failed, etc.)
The authorization code is then sent back to the payment gateway which in turns sends the code back to the merchant’s website or other device used to process the transaction.
At this point the merchant can deliver the goods or services to the customer.
At the end of business, the merchant submits all of their approved authorization codes in a “batch” to their acquiring bank for settlement, which is the process of sending the credit card and check files through the network for processing and payment.
The acquiring bank accepts the approved funds and moves them into the specified merchant account(s). The entire process from authorization to settlement to funding takes an average of three days.

Secure Transaction Processing — The ePN Way

For the past nine years, eProcessing Network has gone through the rigorous certification process to ensure that our ePN payment gateway allows merchants to protect sensitive cardholder data. We have successfully met all of the comprehensive requirements as detailed in the Payment Application Data Security Standard (PA-DSS) and enforced by card associations. As a result of each certification, the PCI Council lists the application on its Validated Payment Application List within the PCI SSC website.

ePN is committed to providing secure systems that are in compliance with the PCI Council and by partnering with the Council and card associations to maintain compliance certification, we help become part of the solution to offer a unified strategy to fight against payment card data compromises. That level of commitment is passed onto resellers and their merchants who trust us with their sensitive payment card information.

What Firearms dealers Need To Accept Credit Cards

Current FFL Dealer License
Web Site We Can Check If Selling Online
Written Refund Policy
Be Located in U.S.A.
Have Local Business License (Home Based is Acceptable)

Services We Offer

Gun dealer merchant accounts
FFL Dealers merchant services
Gun dealers payment processing
Firearm credit card processing
Gunbroker credit card processing
Firearm gun show payments
Credit card processing for guns
Retail gun shop payments
Internet gun shop ecpmmerce
Gun auction payments
Ammo Payment Processing

eCommerce Shopping Solutions

The eProcessing Network Payment Gateway is your secure connection between your Web site and the merchant bank processing networks. ePN offers two simple solutions for merchants who desire to attract online customers, but don’t have the time or technical resources to build their own eCommerce solution.

ePNCart-Turn any Website Into an Online Storefront!

eProcessing Network offers ePNCart, an easy-to-implement, customizable shopping cart

solution for merchants interested in having an online storefront. ePN is integrated into all major, third-party shopping carts, and since there is no software installation needed, merchants can start accepting payments with just a “flick of the switch.” Combined with our Secure Real-Time Credit Card Transaction Processing Service, online merchants can benefit from the unlimited, income-generating opportunities that are available with the explosion of eCommerce.

A simple, intuitive user interface means that merchants don’t need to have special programming skills to implement the shopping cart.
The customization of the ordering pages enables merchants to seamlessly blend the look and feel with their existing web pages.
SSL Encryption gives merchants peace of mind knowing they can process transactions securely.
Multiple Payment Options allow merchants to attract more customers.
Administrative tools and reporting features provide merchants with easier management of their online stores.
ePNCart is easy to integrate with other ePN solutions, such as ePNShip, our powerful, live shipping calculator.

ePNCart Order Form Generator – Create Web Pages in Minutes!

eProcessing Network’s Order Form Generatorsolution is perfect for the merchant who wants to establish on online presence, but finds that the functionality and cost of implementing traditional shopping carts is too much for their needs.

The Order Form Generator is an easy-to-use, HTML code generator that is used to design all types of web-based payment solutions. Besides generating pages that sell the merchant’s product, the simple, template-driven design engine can create pages to support additional functionality like:

Online Bill Payment
Donation Solicitations
Membership Renewals
Fund Raising Events
Recurring, Installment Billings
The lower cost of the Order Form Generator, compared to shopping cart solutions — lets the merchant integrate an eCommerce solution in a cost-effective manner.
The HTML Code Generator is easy to modify and allows the merchant to create and update web content quickly and efficiently.
A customizable user-interface enables the merchant to design as many individual pages as needed.
The Order Form Generator is easy to integrate with other ePN solutions, such as ePNPlugin for QuickBooks, our real-time, financial reporting software.

Mobile Processing Solutions

Back in 2000, eProcessing Network (ePN) was the first innovative and mainstream secure payment gateway to offer wireless mobile transaction processing. ePN continues the tradition by offering mobile merchants with cutting-edge mobile technology processing for the latest in smart phone technologies.

Today, eProcessing Network offers a variety of Mobile Processing Solutions:

eProcessing Network offers Mobile Processing Solutions for a Merchant-owned iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch, Android Phone/Tablet and Blackberry.
Merchants simply install the ePNMobile App on to their device from the Apple AppStore or Android Market. For Blackberry users, Merchants can easily login to the ePN Merchant Support Center to download the App.
ePN offers centralized control and secure transaction reporting for mobile devices via the secured ePN reporting site.
In addition, we offer Mobile processing solutions for dedicated wireless POS terminals.
Signature capture / email receipts capability for (iPhone/Android).
Bluetooth card reader/printer for receipts (Android/Blackberry).

Cost Savings — Multiple card swipe processing options – Merchants can use the ePNMobile Pro encrypted audio-jack card reader or Magtek’s encrypted bluetooth or clip-on card readers to qualify for swiped rates.
Enhanced Security — Mobile transactions are never stored on the merchant’s phone – only at the ePN Secure Payment Gateway!
Versatility — Merchants can process payments securely away from their store front or office. Great for trade shows, in-home sales, festivals, craft fairs, taxis, flea markets, limo services, plumbers, hair stylists, electricians, nail salons, locksmiths, CPAs, dog groomers, coffee kiosks, etc.
Ease-of-Use — Merchants can manage enable/disable functions by device from one centralized location within the ePN Merchant Support Center.
Flexibility — When using the ePN Secure Payment Gateway, merchants can simplify their business by choosing any combination of products, services and solutions all managed through a single merchant account.
Compatibility — ePNMobile Pro has many configurable options that include downloading transactions into QuickBooks, tracking of invoice/order ID number, tip entry, and signature capture.

ePNInventory — Integrated Inventory Management

ePNInventory, eProcessing Network’s integrated inventory management solution, enables merchants to process eCommerce, POS, and Mobile payment transactions through their existing ePN Secure Payment Gateway account.

Cost-effective and reliable, ePNInventory is the ideal solution for merchants who need an automated inventory management system, but don’t have the funds or technical resources to build their own solution. Easy-to-learn and implement, providing a suite of reports and notifications, ePNInventory allows merchants to focus on driving the success of their business, instead of creating software to manage it.

When a product is purchased, either manually or by using a barcode scanner, inventory levels are automatically adjusted, providing an accurate tracking of product assortment and quantity levels. And since all inventory is stored online through eProcessing Network’s secure servers, merchant’s know that their sensitive data will not be compromised.

Easy-to-Implement — with no software required, merchant’s can easily integrate the management software into their business solutions.

Versatile — ePNInventory works seamlessly with any of the ePN payment solutions, including the Online Terminal, ePNJPOS, ePNCart and ePNMobile.

Automated — accurate reporting tracks the products and seasonal sales trends, virtually eliminating out-of-stock situations.

Secure — the security of the ePN Payment Gateway ensures that the merchant’s product database will not be compromised.

ePNPlugIn for QuickBooks^®

eProcessing Network offers the ePNPlugIn for QuickBooks^®, a robust plug-in that allows merchants real-time processing of credit card, debit card and check transactions directly within QuickBooks, the leading accounting software. Merchants can take advantage of processing transactions and applying payments to open invoices in one easy step, saving time and money by avoiding double-entry and reducing the amount of accounting errors.

The ePNPlugIn is compatible with QuickBooks^® Pro, QuickBooks^® Premier and QuickBooks^® Enterprise Solutions and easily downloads the merchant’s Internet, POS, Mobile and Recurring Transactions directly into their QuickBooks solution.

The ePNPlugIn for QuickBooks is yet another ePN application that has received Payment Application Data Security Standard (PA-DSS) PA-DSS certification from the PCI Council, so merchants can feel confident that their sensitive payment card information will not be compromised.

Other Features of the ePNPlugIn Include:

The processing of sales against invoices or sales receipts is automatic; merchants can also process voids and returns through QuickBooks.
The support of card readers like the MagTek USB MagSwipe allows merchants to qualify for swiped rates.
The processing of “Card on File” transactions without storing sensitive card data within QuickBooks.

Cost Effective — Merchants use their existing processor relationship to process transactions directly within QuickBooks, saving them additional processing fees.
Simple & Easy-to-Use — Merchants can easily integrate the QuickBooks solution into their existing business processes.
Secure — Having PA-DSS Certification eliminates security risks and compliance issues regarding sensitive payment information.
Flexible — Merchants are able to process multiple types of payments through multiple channels, enabling them to meet the needs of their diverse customer base.

ePNRecur — Recurring Transaction Processing Services

eProcessing Network offers ePNRecur, an optional recurring transaction processing service that allows merchants to sell merchandise in installment payments and offer products and services to their clientele on a subscription or membership basis.

ePNRecur is integrated with our full suite of secure, real-time transaction processing services, including the ePN Online Terminal and ePNCart, our premier, customizable shopping cart solution.

ePNRecur allows merchants to easily create recurring transactions and subscriptions,

and gives them the flexibility to specify the recurring method for each transaction, such as:

Type (Sale, Auth Only) and Amount of the initial transaction.
When to process the initial transaction, allowing for immediate or delayed processing.
Amount of the recurring transactions.
Frequency of transactions (weekly, monthly, 60, 90 days).
Number of times to process the recurring transaction; allowing for a limited number of recurs, or recurs until the merchant deletes the transaction.

With the automated reporting and customer notification of ePNRecur, merchants don’t have to worry about the time and resources associated with manual billing and customer follow up. ePNRecur effectively manages the recurring transaction and subscriptions and notifies merchants of the status of each transaction, alerting them to any upcoming credit card or subscription expirations.

Secure — ePNRecur takes full advantage of the power behind the ePN Secure Payment Gateway, giving merchants the confidence in knowing that their customer information will not be compromised.
Efficient — merchants can easily specify the repetition and frequency for payments, eliminating manual billing processes that cost time and money.
Cost Effective — through email notifications, the merchant can be proactive in managing upcoming credit card or subscription expirations, which can help reduce the number of authorization declines.
Customer Retention — by providing flexible and automated billing plans and subscriptions, merchants can truly meet the needs of their customers, and keep them coming back more frequently.

Get a Free Quote For

Credit Card Processing:

First name*

Last name*

Phone*

Email*

Website

Comments*

Credit card merchant account for firearms

WE ARE A GUN FRIENDLY CREDIT CARD PROCESSOR FOR BOTH ECOMMERCE AND RETAIL credit card merchant account for firearms. We understand your choice of merchant services is limited due to your type of business. Recently, many other credit card processors have made the choice to no longer process credit cards for your industry and have been shutting down longtime, good merchant accounts. I wanted to reach out to you and let you know that we are a Second Amendment Friendly processor and would love to win your business. Your industry should feel confident that the processor you are utilizing does support the second amendment. We offer some of the lowest rates and I am confident that we are the right choice for your credit card merchant account for firearms.

ETI has been in business for over 24 years, and we have an A+ BBB rating. We understand your industry and cater to it in both retail and internet firearms merchant accounts. We would love to talk to you further and discuss our low rates and how we can definitely save you money.

We are a Gun Dealer friendly Credit Card Processing Co. and Secure Internet Gateway.
We hook-up merchants to Accept Credit Cards. We allow FFL Gun Dealers to Sell over the Internet.
A+ BBB Rating – 23 Years’ Experience.

FastCharge works with over 2000 Shopping Cart companies. Make your Website a 24/7 Salesman.
The Virtual Terminal lets you manually Process Credit Cards from your PC or Smart Phone.

Credit Card Processing

Free Merchant Account – Free Virtual Terminal – Website Payment Processing

Virtual Terminal Benefits
• We own our own Payment Gateway called www.FastCharge.com
• Virtual Terminal (Process Credit Cards from your PC or Smart Phone)
• Process Mail – Phone Order Sales (Card Not Present)
• Verifies the Billing Address “AVS”
• Verifies the Last Three Numbers on Back of the Credit Card “CVV2″
• E-Mails Your Customer a Receipt “Instantly”
• Has all the Features of a Credit Card Terminal, Over the Internet
• Compatible with all US Banks & Credit Unions
• PCI Compliant – Works with Hundreds of Different Shopping Carts

Fast Charge Payment Gateway Features
• Virtual Terminal (Process Credit Cards from your PC or Smart Phone)
• Web Site Payment Processing 24/7 (Included with Virtual Terminal)
• Works with ZenCart, oscommerce, OpenCart, Virtual Mart – Joomla, & many more
• You can issue Sub ID’s for Multiple Users – Free Fraud Protection
• Free Basic Shopping Cart – Free “Buy Now” Buttons
• Process Cards on your PC, iPhone, iPad, Android, and most other Smart Phones
• Recurring Billing – Great for 30, 60, and 90 day Billing
• Non Profits – Donations – ISP’s – Web Hosting – Memberships – Schools – Gun Dealers
• Mobile Processing for Seminars, Face to Face, Gun Shows, Trade Shows, Cab Drivers, etc.
• Secure Order Pages – Works with PHP, Pearl, XML, HTML, and .net
• Referral Program for ISP’s & Webmasters (most websites qualify)

Virtual Terminal: This allows you to process Credit Cards manually on your PC or Smart Phone using your Internet connection. It takes the place of a credit card machine. This works great for telephone orders and mail orders “card not present”.

Website Payment Processing: You will be able to process sales automatically 24/7 from your website. It will process the credit card, email you the order, and e-mail your customer a receipt, instantly. You can even have it send a custom Thank You Letter (with company logo) with the receipt every time there’s a sale.

Eliminate Fraud: Fast Charge will verify the card holders billing address. We call this “AVS” (Address Verification Systems). In addition it will also verify the “CVV2 Code” (the last 3 numbers on the back of a Visa, MC). This is a Visa/Master Card requirement for “qualified” internet and mail phone order transactions. We are also PCI Compliant.

Voice Authorization: This feature allows you to approve a sale away from your home or office by calling a Toll Free Number. When you return to your PC you can enter the transaction under the “Post-Auth” function to finalize it. Voice Authorization works great for Mobile Merchants. Any merchant who accepts payments away from his/her office.

On-Line Checks: This feature allows you to Accept Checks from your Website. No Minimum.
Process Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, Check Cards, EBT, Debit Cards, & Private Label Gift Cards.

Get a Free Quote For

Credit Card Processing:

First name*

Last name*

Phone*

Email*

Website

Comments*

Credit Card Terminal

A credit card terminal is a type of a Point of sale (POS) terminal that can do transactions with a credit card. A couple of types of credit card terminals are available to merchants. Most have the same basic purpose and functions. They allow a merchant to insert, swipe, or key in manually the required credit card information and transmit such data to the merchant service provider for authorization and then later on the transfer the fund to the merchant.

With a credit card terminal, a debit or credit card is all the customer needs to pay for goods or even withdraw cash at a merchant store. Electronic credit card terminal technology has become standard in supermarket and store checkout counters, but these machines are also widely used by banks and other organizations. In order to use a credit card terminal, a store may attach an existing cash register. However, mobile and wireless credit card terminal technology is also available.

Many people now routinely use credit cards to pay for all their transactions. However, there are certain laws and regulations which might limit their use. In certain countries or regions, for instance, banks charge customers for every debit or credit card transaction. In other cases, transactions fees are applied to merchants every time the credit card terminal is used.

Nearly all stores accept credit cards and to boost your business, you should too. A credit card virtual terminal is great for many businesses and for a multitude of reasons. When a phone line is not available or is unreliable, a virtual terminal credit card processing system is the ideal alternative choice. These machines use the internet to process credit cards and payments using your desktop, laptop, and even tablet if you’re on the go.

Get a Free Quote For

Credit Card Processing:

First name*

Last name*

Phone*

Email*

Website

Comments*

Ammo maker: Ammo shortage fueled by Rumors

Hornady, a major U.S. ammunition manufacturer, is doing everything it can to meet the high demand for bullets that it says has been “all fueled by rumors and conjecture” and has put pressure on gun stores across the country.

“The current political climate has caused extremely high demand on all shooting industry products, including ours,” according to Hornady. “Empty retail shelves, long backorders, and exaggerated price increases on online auction sites – all fueled by rumors and conjecture – have amplified concerns about the availability of ammunition and firearms-related items.”

Ammunition manufacturers are struggling to keep up with the run on ammunition that began in the wake of President Barack Obama’s re-election and the deadly shooting at a school in Newtown, Connecticut that left 20 children and six adults dead.

“Every time there’s a comment about some sort of gun control… that triggers a negative response among firearms owners, because they see it as a limiting factor,” Paul Erhardt, an editor for the Shooting Wire, told The Daily Caller News Foundation.

“The demand breeds demand in a lot of ways,” Erhardt said, adding that the uncertainty over supply caused by the media and political conditions has firearms owners rushing to purchase what ammo is available.

“Remington is in a large backorder position at this time,” said Remington spokeswoman Jessica Kallam. “We are at full capacity with a majority of categories of ammunition. We are continuing to look at how to increase capacity and supplying ammo products to the various channels of distribution/sales that we support.”

The ammunition shortage has gun store owners shocked at the persistent lack of bullets in their stores.

“We absolutely are in uncharted territory,” said Larry Hyatt, whose family owns Hyatt Gun Shop in Charlotte, N.C.. “Our store is 53 years old, and we have never seen anything like this. We have had some spot shortages and busy gun times in the past. This is a level (of demand) never before seen.”

Read more: http://dailycaller.com/2013/04/25/ammo-maker-ammo-shortage-fueled-by-rumors-and-conjecture/#ixzz2Sp4kd2Ks

Get a Free Quote For

Credit Card Processing:

First name*

Last name*

Phone*

Email*

Website

Comments*

TEN MYTHS ABOUT GUN CONTROL

Guns & Ammo has a great article on the Top 10 Gun Control Myths. here they are:

Myth No. 1: A gun in the home is more likely to kill a family member than an intruder.

Myth No. 2: Forty percent of guns are purchased without a background check.

Myth No. 3: Fewer people own guns today.

Myth No. 4: Criminals obtain their weapons at gun shows.

Myth No. 5: People hardly ever use guns for self-defense.

Myth No. 6: Your gun is more likely to be used against you by an attacker.

Myth No. 7: We can’t trust people with concealed carry.

Myth No. 8: Urban areas especially need gun control.

Myth No. 9: Guns teach kids to be violent.

Myth No. 10: Gun control prevents crime.
We’ve saved the ultimate myth for last. Here are but a few examples of failed gun control policies in action:

Washington, D.C.’s ban on handguns (since repealed, sort of) took effect in 1977 and the city’s murder rate tripled by the 1990’s. According to D.C.’s own police department, every firearm murder was committed with a handgun
Chicago copied D.C.’s handgun ban in 1982 and, according to city data, within 10 years its handgun-related murders doubled.
Maryland and California have both imposed waiting periods for gun purchases and restricted sales of handguns and semi-auto rifles. Yet according to FBI Uniform Crime Reports, their murder and robbery rates that far exceed the rest of the country.

There are plenty more cases in which gun control has backfired, even as nationwide gun ownership has increased and crime has decreased.

Get a Free Quote For

Credit Card Processing:

First name*

Last name*

Phone*

Email*

Website

Comments*

Which is Better – Interchange Plus Pricing or Tiered Pricing

There are quite a few credit card processing companies now pushing Interchange Plus Pricing to merchants. We’ve all seen the ads that say process for “.5%” and that’s all you pay. The fact of matter is that NOBODY will only pay .50%

Interchange plus:

An interchange plus quote will sound like “interchange PLUS 0.50% – that’s why it’s called interchange plus. The PLUS part is the markup that the processor is making on top of interchange. It will usually be less than 0.50% of your volume. What they are quoting you is the markup. On average interchange rates are about 1.63% for retail and for e-commerce the interchange rate is higher at around 2.05%.

So, if you take a retail swiped transaction and add all the fees together you’ll have 1.63% PLUS .50% which gives you a rate of 2.13% for retail transactions or an e-commerce rate of 2.55%. What about rewards cards or corporate cards? For these types of cards the interchange is about another 1% – 1.5% on top of the qualified rate depending on the card type.

Tiered pricing:

With Tiered pricing usually just one price is quoted (called a qualified rate) for each category type. For example, they will quote 1.69% for retail transactions or 2.2% for e-commerce. Most tiered pricing programs have one tier for qualified cards, another for rewards cards and another one for all other card types.

With tiered pricing you’ll get the quoted rate on most of the transactions then get charged Non-qualified charges on the transactions that don’t meet certain requirements. Some of the requirements to get a qualified transaction can be Address Verification, CVV/CVV2, or Zip Code Matches.

It is very hard to compare one tiered pricing plan to another, because even if the qualified rate, non-qualified rate and the mid-qualified rate are the same, the rules of each credit card processing company which transactions fall into each category can be different from one company to the next. For example, company “A” may charge a qualified rate when the address and zip code matches but company “B” may classify the same transaction as un-qualified if the address doesn’t match exactly.

So which is better – Interchange Plus Pricing or Tiered Pricing?

The first way to answer this is to look at which one is being pushed by the people making the money. They will push the pricing that will make them the most profit from and this is currently interchange plus pricing.

Most interchange plus pricing plans we see are not true interchange plus programs and they find some way to add hidden fees on top of the interchange or they add fees and call them interchange when they are not.

The second answer to the question is “it depends”.

If you know that most of your transactions will be “qualified” then it’s probably correct to say that interchange plus is NOT a good deal. As referenced above the average qualified rate on an interchange plus retail transaction is 2.13% or 2.55% for e-commerce so a tiered rate of 1.69% or 2.2% would save you about 45%. Yes this goes against what quite a few interchange plus sales reps say but it’s how it works.

Now what about all those “Non-Qualified” transactions?

On interchange plus pricing sales reps will tell you they still only charge .50% or whatever they charge but here’s the real deal. Many companies will have “qualified interchange plus” and ‘non qualified interchange plus” pricing which basically becomes tiered pricing anyway. Here’s how this works: on your transactions if the address, zip, name and CVV/CVV2 all match they’ll give you interchange plus their .50% but if anything doesn’t match they tack on another 3%. The way they make their money on this is to set the requirement on their processing system for everything to match (which it almost always doesn’t) then charge you interchange plus the surcharges. What we’ve seen is that most of the interchange plus pricing actually being charged to merchants is much higher then anyone thought it would be.

Non Qualified Tiered Pricing: Tiered pricing will usually have a set rate for all the non qualified transactions. The average rate runs about 3.5% which seems high but may not be. With tiered pricing you will know the highest rate but on what cards you get this rate is very hard to figure out until you process for a few months.

So which one is better?

What we’ve found is that for most merchants a tiered pricing plan will be better if most of the transactions are qualified transactions. Tiered pricing can actually be about 20%-45% cheaper for most retail merchants. For merchants who are retail and key in some of their transactions then interchange plus pricing is usually better.

The bottom line is it takes someone with experience to analyse merchant processing statements to make the best determination so if a merchant services sales rep automatically tells you they will save you money with interchange plus pricing watch out!

Get a Free Quote For

Credit Card Processing:

First name*

Last name*

Phone*

Email*

Website

Comments*

Schnucks breach exposes 2.4 million cards

S t. Louis-based grocery chain Schnuck Markets Inc. confirmed on April 15, 2013, that approximately 2.4 million credit and debit cards used at 79 of its 100 store locations may have been compromised as a result of a breach of its POS network. The breach occurred between December 2012 and March 29, 2013. According to Schnucks, only track 2 card number and expiration date data were accessed in the breach affecting specific stores in Missouri, Iowa, Illinois and Indiana that Schnucks listed online.

The retailer became aware of fraudulent activity when notified by credit card companies on March 15, 2013, that banks had detected fraud on 12 cards used at Schnucks stores, the company stated. At that point Schnucks launched a forensics investigation through Mandiant Corp., which initially ruled out store employee or POS tampering before detecting indications of a cyber attack on March 28.

In a statement released March 30, Schnucks said it had “found and contained the issue behind the reports of unauthorized access to payment card information” and that it had “taken comprehensive measures designed to block any further access.”

After disclosing the cyber attack, Schnucks Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Scott Schnuck said, “We are cooperating with law enforcement, the Missouri Attorney General’s Office, and the credit card companies to determine the scope and magnitude of this crime and apprehend those individuals making fraudulent purchases.” He added that security enhancements were being implemented to block further attack activity.

Get a Free Quote For

Credit Card Processing:

First name*

Last name*

Phone*

Email*

Website

Comments*

U.N. Passes Sweeping Gun Grab

The United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday signed off on a sweeping, first-of-its-kind treaty to regulate the international arms trade, brushing aside worries from U.S. gun rights advocates that the pact could lead to a national firearms registry and disrupt the American gun market.

The long-debated U.N. Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) requires countries to regulate and control the export of weaponry such as battle tanks, combat vehicles and aircraft and attack helicopters, as well as parts and ammunition for such weapons. It also provides that signatories will not violate arms embargoes, international treaties regarding illicit trafficking, or sell weaponry to a countries for genocide, crimes against humanity or other war crimes.

American gun rights activists, though, insist the treaty is riddled with loopholes and is unworkable in part because it includes “small arms and light weapons” in its list of weaponry subject to international regulations. They do not trust U.N. assertions that the pact is meant to regulate only cross-border trade and would have no impact on domestic U.S. laws and markets.

Critics of the treaty were heartened by the U.S. Senate’s resistance to ratifying the document, assuming President Obama sent it to the chamber for ratification. In its budget debate late last month, the Senate approved a nonbinding amendment opposing the treaty offered by Sen. James M. Inhofe, Oklahoma Republican, with eight Democrats joining all 45 Republicans backing the amendment.

“The Senate has already gone on record in stating that an Arms Trade Treaty has no hope, especially if it does not specifically protect the individual right to bear arms and American sovereignty,” Sen. Thad Cochran, a Mississippi Republican who backed Mr. Inhofe’s motion, said in a statement. “It would be pointless for the president to sign such a treaty and expect the Senate to go along. We won’t ratify it.”

Get a Free Quote For

Credit Card Processing:

First name*

Last name*

Phone*

Email*

Website

Comments*

Strict Gun Laws Mean Fewer Shooting Deaths

(Reuters) – States that have more laws restricting gun ownership have lower rates of death from shootings, both suicides and homicides, a study by researchers at Boston Children’s Hospital and Harvard University found.

States with the most laws on gun ownership, including Massachusetts and New Jersey, have 42 percent lower rates of death from guns than those with the least restrictions, including Utah and Oklahoma, according to the study, published on Wednesday in the online edition of JAMA Internal Medicine.

The study was released as a Senate committee approved new gun-control measures backed by President Barack Obama to crack down on illegal trafficking in firearms in the wake of the December massacre at a Connecticut elementary school.

Read the rest of the story

Get a Free Quote For

Credit Card Processing:

First name*

Last name*

Phone*

Email*

Website

Comments*

Taxi and Limo Mobile Credit Card Processing

Advances in technology have made it easier than ever to shop via credit card or debit card, virtually eliminating the need to carry cash. Cash is easy to lose and offers no security if lost or stolen. That’s why many people now carry less than 10$ in cash and change in their pockets. In fact it has become so commonplace that cash is not necessary that when suddenly confronted with a business that does not take credit or debit forms of payments many customers are thrown for a loop and left without another easy payment option.

Many taxi and limo commissions are getting with the times and requiring vehicles to accept electronic forms of payment. Business men dashing to a meeting, tourists flocking to the latest attraction and people heading home from bars and events are now able to pay for their cab or limo with plastic. Many cabs and limos are now installing credit card machines in the back for customer use. In areas where it is now a law that cabs accept electronic payment, the rule is even written into the customer’s bill of rights posted in the backseat.

Some taxi and limo workers however have been disillusioned with the new rules since many credit card processing companies charge huge fees to use their services. This can lead to disgruntled employees and inconvenience to customers who get into a cab planning to pay by credit card as posted but later told the machine is broken or unavailable because the vehicles operator doesn’t like the fees. The fees are not allowed to be passed on to the consumer and minimum fares are not allowed to be imposed on the passengers either. Think of it this way, if the fare is low to start with then deducting another 5% or so off the profits makes the transaction almost worthless to the driver. Minimizing the difficulty and costs associated with electronic transactions is very important.
Using the services of Electronic Transfer Inc. can make the transition easier and more cost efficient. They offer services for all major credit cards with a very low startup cost. In fact, many of the startup costs associated with other transaction company have been waived or eliminated by Electronic Transfer Inc. There is simply no comparison between their costs and the competition.

Accepting electronic payments can increase your revenue and widen your customer base. As people move away from using cash and carrying it less often, you will lessen the risk of being stuck with a passenger unable to pay the fare. People paying by credit card have been known to spend more money per transaction. Now Electronic Transactions Inc. has made it even easier for taxis and limos to accept credit and debit cards with mobile payments made by IPhone, Android or other smart phones. Mobile payment is the fastest growing payment option in electronic payment popularity.

The Better Business Bureau gives Electronic Transactions Inc. an A+ rating. They have been in business since 1989 and have services thousands of clients. Increase the power of your business today by choosing to accept credit and debit card payments.

Get a Free Quote For

Credit Card Processing: