Monday, April 16, 2012

Merchant Credit Cards; Mode of Operation.

By Todd Rogers


When a customer opens a merchant account with a bank or an independent payment processing organisation, he or she is given the option of owning a credit card. A merchant card is a credit or debit card usually linked to a bank account that can be used for payment. Variations of cards also exist such as standalone cards which are not linked to bank accounts and credit cards linked to third party payment providers such as Pay pal.
Merchant credit card processing can be done with different equipment which have their different methods. The general procedures involved in processing a credit card for payment purposes are:


Initiating the process


Starting the payment process with your credit card depends on the method used and if it is electronic, it is done either by swiping the card on a credit card terminal or inserting the card in an ATM machine. The process can also be initiated with the use of a phone by dialling payment service providers and online by login into a payment gateway account.


Processing Payment


Following login in or carrying out any from the above processes, a indicates of identification has to be offered for security causes. These indicates can are available in quite a few types which consist of; keying in passwords, pins and some account facts. When the signifies of identification is offered security checks are carried out by the payment processor to make certain it matches the identification provided towards the payment provider prior to authorisation is given.
Completion of the Payment Approach.


The funds or transaction requested is then cross-checked with all the readily available funds in your account to make sure the account holder has the necessary funds to total the transactions. This is the final method and the finish outcome will be the issuing of payment.

A payment card is actually a plastic card issued to customers as a indicates to make payment. You'll find distinct kinds of merchant cards made out there towards the public by payment providers for cash transactions. These cards have their limits and jurisdictions, the payment cards are;


Credit Card: a credit card is issued by a merchant bank and it allows the user store funds as well as borrow funds from the bank to make payments.
Debit Card: a debit card is issued by a merchant bank and it is usually linked to a bank account. It helps the account holder withdraw funds and also make payments at different card terminals. In some cases the card can be designed mainly for internet use without no physical representative. Transactions are done by providing pins and card numbers.

The use of these cards has develop into widespread in our contemporary age and with their popularity comes the dangers like online fraud and identity theft. Security starts together with the person, so absolutely everyone is tasked with the duty of guiding his or her card and authorisation approaches with utmost care. If your card gets lost or stolen, blocking your merchant credit card should be the first step you take.




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