Playing With Cash ?? That So passe !

American consumers are abandoning cash and paper checks for cards and electronic payments. Between the years 1989 and 2006, the nation’s total credit card transactions increased from about $69 billion a year to more than $1.8 trillion.* According to the Nilson Report, more than half of U.S. consumer purchases are paid for via credit card, compared to 36 percent in 2003.

Credit Card Reform Will Also Retail Credit Promotion

Credit Reform Will Also Affect Retail Credit Promotions

In May of this year, President Obama signed the much touted Credit Card Accountability, Responsibility, and Disclosure (CARD) Act. Though the crux of all this credit reforming was to prevent credit card companies from swindling the money away from their customers, the truth is that they were not the only targets. According to the new legislation, those in-store retail credit offers are considered credit cards, and as such, they fall under the same regulation.

California Debates Debit Card Check Out Fess

Over the past few months, a standoff of sorts has been developing between California consumers and some of the state’s retailers. At issue is the swipe fee some retailers charge everytime a customer chooses to pay with his or her debit card. Consumer advocates claim that these retail businesses are taking advantage of what many see as a gaping loophole. According to California law, businesses are prohibited from applying checkout fees to purchases paid for with a credit card, but as of yet debit cards are excluded.

Debit And Prepaid Card are Cunsommers' New Darlings

Debit and Prepaid Cards Are Consumers’ New Darlings

In the wake of the recent Credit Reform Act and persistent economic woes, consumer appetite for credit has reached an all time low. Instead of relying on the buy now, pay later model,

PCI DSS and Pa DSS Summary Of Upcoming Changes

PCI DSS and PA DSS Summary of Upcoming Changes

Starting October of this year, the new Data Security Standard (DSS) and Payment Application-Data Security Standard (PA-DSS) put out by the PCI Security Standards Council will go into effect.

Common Credit Card Fraud Techniques to Watch Out For

Common Credit Card Fraud Techniques to Watch Out For

Fraud is one of the fastest-growing businesses in the U.S. Identity theft, financial fraud, and credit card misuse are widespread. Businesses are just as vulnerable to abuse as individuals.

PCI DSS Core Elements

PCI DSS Core Elements

It is impossible to be involved in the credit card processing industry and not be aware of the PCI Security Standards Council. This organization provides an international platform for the “ongoing development, enhancement, storage, dissemination and implementation of security standards for account data protection.”

California Gov Vetoes Bill on Retail Debit Card Fees

California Gov Vetoes Bill on Retail Debit Card Fees

In California, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger vetoed a bill that would have forbidden businesses to charge fees for debit card use. Small business owners view this action as a victory which will save them from significant financial loss.

How To Accept Credit Card Online

One effective way to drum up business is to accept credit payments online. What are the requirements to start accepting credit payments and who are the major providers?

New Credit Card Apr Catapulted Upwards

On the heels of the recent Credit Card Reform Act, CreditCards.com recently reported that the national average annual percentage rate (APR) for new cards jumped to 14.69 percent. It represents the highest national average since April of this year and the second highest level recorded since CreditCards.com began the study in 2007