Over the next three weeks we will explore on this blog some of the reasons why National Transaction Corporation is the preferred choice for travel agents.
The Travel industry is one of the world’s largest industries with a global economic contribution of over 7.6 trillion U.S. dollars in 2016. (Statista)
At NTC we recognize that travel agency payment processing has some unique hurdles to overcome, but we are leveraging our innovation because we want our travel agency partners to explore how our solutions transcend the challenges that travel agents face.
Secure processing is one of the reasons why National Transaction is the preferred choice for travel agents
National Transaction Corporation has Secure Merchant Payment Processing – Because when your customers know their data is safe, they keep coming back!
You’ve heard of the many data breaches within major corporations that have occurred in just the last few years, when customers’ confidential credit card information is stolen and businesses lose a small fortune in repairing the problem. The cost of such a security breach goes far beyond that, however; once a business has lost the trust of its customers, 60% of those cardholders will go elsewhere for their purchases and services, according to studies on the problem.
Imagine if this happened to your travel agency merchant account? It could be disastrous, especially because agencies tend to deal with high-dollar sales from a moderately-sized pool of customers – so every client counts.
NTC knows that you, like us, care about your customers, and we want your travel agency to be seen as a trustworthy place to book a dream vacation. The first step is for your business to be PCI-DSS compliant.
PCI-DSS (Payment Card Industry-Digital Security Standards) requirements were put in place by the credit card associations to deal with the increasing problem of identity theft and data loss. The requirements vary according to the types and the number of payment transactions your agency goes through, but you can be sure that NTC will help you stay compliant with the latest security standards.
In the event of a data breach, we are here to eliminate the negative impact it can have on your company. NTC may be able to help you with the fines, assessments, and other costs from the networks, and we will consult with you on how to proceed to protect your agency and your reputation.
As you know, data security is as much a concern for the business owner as it is for the cardholder – your customer. When your clients know that their data is safe with you, they will keep coming back to your agency to book their next great trip!
If you cannot wait to read blog number two out of this three part series, feel free to call NTC now at 888-996-2273 to find out the best options for your travel agency!
Visa 3-D Secure (3DS) is a security protocol designed to add an extra layer of protection to online credit card transactions.It aims to reduce fraud by verifying the cardholder’s identity before the transaction is authorized.Visa’s implementation of 3DS is called “Visa Secure.”
Here’s how it works:
Transaction Initiation: When a customer makes an online purchase with their Visa card, the merchant’s website communicates with the Visa network to initiate the 3DS process.
Risk Assessment: The issuer (the cardholder’s bank) performs a risk assessment based on various factors, such as the cardholder’s history, the transaction amount, and the merchant’s risk profile.
Authentication: If deemed necessary, the issuer challenges the cardholder to authenticate their identity. This usually involves a step-up authentication method, such as:
One-time password (OTP): Sent to the cardholder’s registered mobile phone or email.
Biometric authentication: Fingerprint scan or facial recognition.
Knowledge-based authentication: Security questions or personal information.
Verification: Once the cardholder successfully authenticates, the issuer confirms their identity to the merchant.
Transaction Completion: The merchant can then proceed to process the transaction with increased confidence that the cardholder is legitimate.
Integration and Implementation:
Merchants need to integrate 3DS into their online payment systems.This typically involves working with their payment gateway provider or acquiring bank to implement the necessary APIs and protocols.Visa provides detailed documentation and support for merchants to integrate Visa Secure.
Benefits and Features of 3DS:
Reduced Fraud: By verifying the cardholder’s identity, 3DS significantly reduces the risk of unauthorized transactions and chargebacks.
Improved Security: Adds an extra layer of security to online payments, protecting both merchants and customers from fraud.
Shift in Liability: In many cases, if a fraudulent transaction occurs after successful 3DS authentication, the liability shifts from the merchant to the issuer.This can save merchants significant costs associated with chargebacks and fraud disputes.
Increased Customer Confidence: Demonstrates a commitment to security and builds trust with customers, encouraging them to complete their purchases.
Enhanced User Experience: The latest version of 3DS (EMV 3DS 2.0) offers a smoother and more user-friendly authentication experience, minimizing friction during checkout.
Support for Mobile and Digital Wallets: 3DS is compatible with various payment channels, including mobile devices and digital wallets, providing a consistent and secure experience across all platforms.
In conclusion: Visa 3-D Secure is a powerful tool for merchants to enhance the security of their online transactions, reduce fraud, and improve customer confidence.
By implementing Visa Secure, merchants can protect themselves from financial losses and provide a safer and more trustworthy shopping experience for their customers.
For e-Commerce Electronic Payments set up with 3D Secure
National Transaction is celebrating 21 years in the business today. Founded in 1997 National Transaction (NTC) purpose is to serve businesses of all sizes with their cash flow with the highest levels of professionalism and care.
This 21 year anniversary would not be possible without our leader, Mark Fravel and we want to take you back to his why and the reason we are still here today.
The beginnings:
Mark, a single parent of 3 beautiful daughters, wanted to provide for their kids without being on the road all the time. And so, with this passion in mind, a desire to serve and commitment to his family, National Transaction was born.
NTC began like many business and passions, with no customers and only one employee but quickly grew and Mark knew that leading with confidence and excellence will drive this business somewhere.
The Present:
Now, NTC often ranks in the top 10 of many data and technology awards. This Excellence has also earned us an A+ rating in the Better Business Bureau.
This 21 years would not be possible without our desire to help a business grow and give them the right tools for their transactions. We love being on the phone with our customers, we love getting to know them and how we can provide our best service.
The Future
Mark started this with a desire to be a family man, and so, this family feeling has stayed with our company. We treat our team like family, and we are excited about what our future holds the next 21 years.
Thank you for celebrating 21 years of customer service, passion, connection and above all, quality. We will continue to provide you with the best service we know how to give, and we will uphold our promise and mission to make digital transactions reliable and simple to the merchant and familiar to the consumer, reducing the complexity and expense to both.
NTC Amex OptBlue Program rate are a lot more competitive, with NTC Amex OptBlue you can find a rate that’s right for your business and a faster, easier way to accept the card.
Amex OptBlue Program allows smaller businesses to accept American Express credit cards without paying excessively higher rates. Those who sign up for this program can automatically bundleAmerican Express along with the other major card brands that they already accepting.
Before Optblue, you had one rate option for American Express Card acceptance. Now, because your Merchant Service Provider sets the rate, you could find a deal that works for you.
In some cases, Amex OptBlue is lower than Visa and MasterCard.
If you’re an existing merchant adding Amex Optblue is easy with NTC. You’ll get paid at the same time as your other card brands. One fast deposit!
All the credit cards you accept in one simple statement.
One Customer Service Contact. We can answer questions for every card you take with us.
Give us a call now 888-996-2273 or fill out the form NationalTransaction.Com and we’ll help you get going with Amex OptBlue.
If you want to remain competitive virtually, every business needs access to a merchant account to accept card payments from their customers. “Merchant” is another word for a seller or business owner. Merchant accounts are not depository accounts like checking and savings accounts; they are considered a line of credit. This allows a merchant to receive funding for the credit transaction. Therefore, when a customer pays with a credit card; a bank is extending credit to that customer and also making the payment on his/her behalf. As for payment providers or processors; they pay merchants before the banks collect from customers and are therefore extending credit to the merchant, that’s why Merchant account is considered as a LOAN.
Merchant account helps facilitate the complex interactions that need to occur between your business and your customer, the credit card networks (Amex, Discover, MasterCard, Visa) and your payment provider every time you receive a card payment. It helps to ensure that you receive funding as quickly as possible, that the banks are protected from losses, and that buyers are protected from scams. Everyone is held accountable based on the rules of the credit card processing agreement with a merchant account.
There’s cost associated in taking credit cards, but it’s much easier and more secure to open a merchant account than it is to keep a book of credit accounts for all of your customers!
PCI compliance applies to any company, organization or merchant of any size or transaction volume that either accepts, stores or transmits cardholder data.
Any merchant accepting payments directly from the customer via credit or debit card must be Compliant. The merchant themselves are therefore responsible for becoming Compliant, as the deadline for the merchant becomes overdue.
Understanding and knowing the details of Payment Card Industry Compliance can help you better prepare your business. Because failing and waiting to become compliant or ignoring them, could end up being an expensive mistake.
The VISA regulations have to adhere to the PCI standard forms as part of the operating regulations. The regulations signed when you open an account at the bank. The rules under which merchants are allowed to operate merchant accounts.
The Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) is a proprietary information security standard for organizations that handle branded credit cards from the major card schemes including Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, and JCB.
Terminal or credit card machines are used for processing debit and credit card transactions. Therefore, are often integrated into a Point of Sale System.
Electronic Authorizations – merchants had the choice of calling in for an authorization or imprinting their transactions, but many businesses opted voice authorization only on larger transactions because of the long waiting time for authorizing transaction over the phone.
Manual Imprinters – are considered a great backup processing method. Although time consuming and did not offer the speed or instant transfer capabilities, this imprinters are still widely used.
Point of Sale Terminals: POS emerged in 1979, which was a turning point in the credit card processing industry. As a result,
Visa introduced a bulky electronic data capturing terminal. The first of credit card machine or terminal as we know them today. It has greatly reduced the time required to process a credit card.
In the same year, MasterCharge became MasterCard and credit cards were replaced to include a magnetic information stripe which now has become EMV/chip and PIN.
The Future: There’s a lot of room for advancement when it comes to Credit card processing technology. Increasing processing speed, reliability and security are driving forces behind processing technology advancement.
Today’s credit card terminals are faster and more reliable with convenient new capabilities including contactless and Mobile NFC acceptance. The processing industry will definitely be adapting new technologies in the near future and has a lot to look forward to.
Credit card machine or point of sale terminals are used for processing debit and credit card transactions and are often integrated into a Point of Sale System. Let’s take a look at the POS terminal evolution.
Manual Imprinters – although the process was time consuming and did not offer the speed or instant transfer capabilities, manual imprinters have been around since the start of a wide acceptance of credit cards. Manual imprinters are still widely used and are considered a great backup processing method.
Electronic Authorizations – Merchants had the choice of calling in for an authorization or imprinting their transactions. The first electronic credit card authorizations were done over the phone, but many businesses opted voice authorization only on larger transactions because of the long waiting time for authorizing a transaction over the phone,
Point of Sale Terminals: Point of sale terminals emerged in 1979, which was a turning point in the credit card processing industry. Visa introduced a bulky electronic data capturing terminal. This was the first of credit card machine or terminal as we know them today, it has greatly reduced the time required to process a credit card. MasterCharge became MasterCard in the same year and credit cards were replaced to include a magnetic information stripe which now has become EMV/chip and PIN.
The Future: There’s a lot of room for advancement when it comes to Credit card processing technology. Increasing processing speed, reliability and security are driving forces behind processing technology advancement. Today’s credit card terminals are faster and more reliable with convenient new capabilities including contactless and Mobile NFC acceptance. The processing industry will definitely be adapting new technologies in the near future and has a lot to look forward to.
Visa Europe has seen a significant increase in the number of contactless payments (card-present transaction) that it has processed this year, it nearly tripled to three billion.
Visa Europe attributed this increase to merchants integrating tap and pay into their checkout process.
This significant increase was largely due to London’s adoption of contactless technology. The contactless payments were also attributed to the launch of Apple Pay, urging consumers to adopt new payment methods.
Setting the stage for tomorrow’s technology, like wearable devices and mobile payment services making today’s achievement possible.
We would like to let our customers know of additional benefits that are coming, in addition of the protection that chip card technology provides.
On January 24, Verifone will release a software update for your card terminal that will include two important new features:
PIN Debit: With this feature, when your customer pays with a Visa, MasterCard or Discover chip debit card, your terminal will allow you to process it as a debit transaction. The update will change the prompts you’re used to seeing based on how the card is configured.
Tip Adjust: If your business accepts tips, you will now have the option to add the tip at the time of sale or adjust it later, just like with non-chip card transactions. To use the tip adjust feature, simply skip the tip prompt during the sale.
Once the download is available, your card terminal will automatically receive the new application during its monthly update. For best results, leave your terminal on overnight to ensure it receives the update.
We appreciate your business and we are committed to providing you with solutions to ensure your ongoing transition to chip card acceptance is smooth.
Start accepting credit card payments at your business with the following features on your new POS terminal: NFC + EMV PIN & Signature capable. Give us a call now at 888-996-2273 or visit our website www.nationaltransaction.com Payments Expert for Travel Merchants and more!
