BluePay Blog

Every organization that captures, processes, stores, transmits, or affects credit card data is expected to comply with the security guidelines established by the Payment Card Industry (PCI).  These data security rules apply to multinationals, small shops and nonprofits alike. Failure to become PCI-compliant can lead to hefty fines for that organization.  Equally important, these guidelines continue to evolve over time as criminals develop newer and smarter data breaching techniques.

Topics: PCI Compliance and Fraud Prevention, E-Commerce and Online Payments, EMV, Software and Payment Integration

The United States leads the world in credit card fraud — by a huge margin. It represents roughly five percent of the global population and 27 percent of all credit and debit card volume.  However, the U.S. accounts for nearly half of all card-based fraud. It’s hard to truly appreciate the sheer scope of this problem, but by 2020 experts predict out-of-pocket losses for stateside merchants could approach $12 billion annually. 

Topics: PCI Compliance and Fraud Prevention, EMV

Many small business owners are so eager to launch that they invest little time in their point-of-sale (POS) technology. As long as their system can accept credit card payments, they’re satisfied.  Although all POS technologies perform the same basic function, each platform offers slightly different bells and whistles. It’s important you find a solution that meets your business’s needs — both today and for many years to come.

Topics: Getting Started with Payments, Small Business Tips, Software and Payment Integration, Mobile Payments, EMV, Payment Technology

Most brick-and-mortar businesses that accept plastic rely on heavy, static readers to process credit cards at the checkout counter. In fact, these stationary terminals have been a staple of retail for decades.  With the birth of mobile payment processing, businesses could suddenly begin accepting credit cards on the go. 

Topics: Payment Trends, PCI Compliance and Fraud Prevention, Payment Technology, Mobile Payments, EMV

Three years ago this month, the credit card industry introduced new liability rules designed to reduce payment card fraud. In 2015, traditional plastic was still widely used throughout retail, but these older cards relied on magnetic stripes that could easily be cloned, manipulated or erased.  In effect, “magstripe” plastic was seen as too vulnerable. Thus, the payment industry wanted merchants and consumers to adopt EMV credit card processing.

Topics: PCI Compliance and Fraud Prevention, Payment Technology, EMV

With nearly 20 percent market share, Fitbit is arguably the most popular wearable technology in the world. These personal fitness trackers can monitor everything from your heart rate to steps taken to sleep patterns. With more than 25 million active users, Fitbit continues to rake in billions of dollars every year — all through sales of its wearable devices.  But the company believes its Fitbit can become more than just a fitness tracker. In 2018, it added mobile payments to its growing line of wearable tech.

Topics: Payment Trends, Small Business Tips, Payment Technology, EMV

Over the last few years, chip-and-PIN has been heralded as the gold standard in payment security. These EMV credit cards come with embedded chips that are next to impossible to clone. To initiate an in-store payment, customers must input a personal identification number (PIN) that only they know.  Additionally, mobile payments and wearable technologies continue to grow in popularity every year. In fact, experts predict that annual in-store sales generated through smart devices could exceed $500 billion by 2020 — in the United States alone. 

Topics: Payment Trends, PCI Compliance and Fraud Prevention, Mobile Payments, EMV, Payment Technology

Losing your credit card usually isn’t a big deal. If one of your cards is lost, stolen or somehow compromised, your bank will send you a replacement ASAP.  Many card issuers also provide fraud protection so you’re not personally liable for any unauthorized purchases.  In fact, the algorithms used to monitor fraud are so good that your bank might contact you to verify purchases that “seem” out of character. If you use your card primarily for grocery shopping and gas stations, for example, a sudden weekend shopping spree at the neighborhood electronics store might raise red flags. 

Topics: Fun Posts, PCI Compliance and Fraud Prevention, EMV

In the retail world, chargebacks are very similar to refunds in that:  Successful sales are ultimately reversed.  “Unhappy” customers get their money back.  Though unlike refunds, chargebacks aren’t something you implement on your end as a merchant.  Instead, they’re initiated by the customer — with or without your consent.  Thanks to consumer protection laws, starting the chargeback process is very easy for customers.

Topics: Small Business Tips, EMV, PCI Compliance and Fraud Prevention, Enterprise Business Tips

There’s a reason why the EMV credit card standard has been adopted globally. These chip-enabled cards are far more secure than their mag-stripe counterparts.  Whereas magnetic stripes are relatively easy to clone and forge, EMV cards are not. This makes in-store retail fraud more difficult. For a transaction to process successfully, the security chip must be physically present at the point of sale. 

Topics: Payment Trends, Payment Technology, PCI Compliance and Fraud Prevention, EMV