How Can I Prevent
Credit Card Fraud?
Q: I hear credit card fraud is increasing. What can
I do to accommodate my customers, yet prevent fraud?
You are so right. Credit card fraud is on the upswing - in both traditional
and online businesses. While there is no doubt that doing business on
the Web can be lucrative, it also invites Internet fraud. As a merchant,
you need to stay up to date with the latest developments in credit card
technology and information, which your credit card processor should willingly
share with you.
State-of-the-art online payment gateways, such as the
LinkPoint Secure Payment Gateway, enable merchants to
process transactions securely over the Internet, which
you need to access today's extensive global e-commerce
marketplace. Secure online payment gateways and sophisticated
encryption technology make credit card fraud increasingly
difficult.
Stop Fraud Before It Starts
Before shipping merchandise to a customer, verify the
cardholder's information by using the fraud-prevention
services and features available. Address Verification
Service (AVS) helps verify street numbers before the merchandise
is shipped and direct contact with your cardholder or
your cardholder's bank can also minimize chargebacks (a
disputed credit card transaction).
Your cardholder's bank customer service number is printed on the back
of the credit card, and the bank should be able to verify a billing address
and the cardholder's name. If the two do not match, resolve this with
your customer before shipping the merchandise. If you don't have AVS,
contact your credit card processor to add this service to your arsenal
of fraud -prevention weapons.
Every Credit Card Has Security Features
These characteristics are a credit card's most important security features:
The credit card's hologram changes color in the light.
The hologram's image is visible in a larger scale under fluorescent light.
The signature line resists erasure and protects the cardholder's signature.
The magnetic stripe transmits specially coded information that is recognized
by only your bank, making stripe duplication virtually impossible.
The embossed credit card number on the front and back of the card must
match.
The card number on the terminal ticket should match the number on the
credit card.
CVC2 (MasterCard) and CVV2 (Visa) are new verification methods designed
to minimize Internet and mail order/telephone order fraud. These methods
allow greater security when merchants process transactions where the customer's
credit card is not present. This is how it works:
The customer finds a three-digit number on the back of the credit card
located on the signature panel.
The last three digits of that number - along with the credit card number
- is transmitted to the card-issuing bank.
If all the information matches at the cardholder's bank, the bank responds
with an approval code.
The CVC2 and CVV2 systems minimize the likelihood that
a cardholder's bank will process fraudulent mail order/telephone
order transaction chargebacks.
Always Ask for Identification
You may ask for identification any time you are presented
with a credit card. Many cardholders write "ask for ID"
on their credit cards to prevent unauthorized use. Customers
should always have identification when presenting a credit
card to a merchant and you should review it consistently
when you accept their credit cards. Here are some tips
that can help you when you request customer identification:
If the back of the customer's credit card is unsigned, say to the customer,
"I see your card is not signed. Could I check your identification to verify
your signature?"
Call the customer by the name on the card. If the cardholder does not
respond, definitely ask for identification.
A credit card is not valid unless it is signed, and this
is clearly stated on the back of the card. Point this
out to customers who have unsigned cards and no identification,
and encourage them to sign their cards
Summary: Fraud-Stopping Tips
Stopping fraud begins with you. Each merchant is the first
line of defense against potential losses.
These are some of the security measures available that can help you prevent
fraudulent credit card purchases and save your business money:
Always use the Address Verification Service (AVS); input all of your customer's
numerical address and ZIP code information.
Check the security features on the customer's credit card.
Compare the signed credit card to the signed sales receipt.
Call the toll-free customer service number on the back of the card to
verify a cardholder's information.
Ask for identification. If the customer is a first-time
mail order, telephone order or Internet order customer,
ask him or her to fax you a driver's license and a credit
card photocopy before you ship the merchandise. |
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