Small Business Owners' Guide to Avoiding Credit Card Fraud

Accepting all forms of payments, including credit cards,its chances of becoming a credit card fraud victim.
is a crucial component in the quest to running aIf a customer would like a refund, do not allow the
successful business. It gives business owners anrefund as a credit to another account. Credit card
opportunity to sell more products and services to arefunds must only be granted to the same card that
wider range of customers. Accepting credit cards canwas used to make the initial purchase. Also, only allow
allow you to expand your company to include onlinerefunds if the customer has the receipt for the product
sales and make you eligible to receive a merchantthey wish to return.
cash advance, which can be essential in promoting theFrequently changing the password to your credit card
growth of your business.system may help as well. You may also purchase
Though the benefits are numerous, accepting creditcredit card fraud insurance for your business. If your
cards can also turn merchants into potential victims ofbusiness is insured, and fraud occurs, the insurance
credit card fraud, a type of fraud that occurs all toocompany will go after the parties responsible for the
often in the United States.fraud.
As a merchant, it is important to be on the lookout forAlthough it can be difficult if your business processes
consumer credit card fraud which is committed by themultiple transactions per day, it may be helpful to print
use of fraudulent credit cards or by the purchase ofa daily transcript of all credit card transactions.
products and/or services using a valid credit card thatAs a restaurant owner, it is particularly easier for an
does not belong to the consumer (formally known asemployee to commit identity theft due to the amount
identity theft). But it is also important to keep an eye onof time that the employee spends with the customer's
employees, ensuring that they do not commit creditcredit card out of the customer's sight. In this case, you
card fraud using a customer's credit card.may want to consider purchasing a portable credit
For consumers, there are various laws andcard terminal. A waiter/waitress can bring this portable
guarantees to remedy the situation if credit card fraudterminal to the customer's table, allowing the customer
does occur. Unfortunately, merchants are not providedto swipe their own card, so the card never has to
with that same protection. Therefore, as a merchant,leave the customer's hand.
preventing credit card fraud altogether is vital.If you can not purchase a portable credit card terminal,
So how does one reap the benefits of acceptingmake sure that your restaurant's credit system does
credit cards without encountering the problems thatnot print credit card numbers and expiration dates on
may arise as a result? There is no way to completelyreceipts. This way, employees can not copy these
safeguard your business against credit card fraud, butnumbers while away from the customer. If your
there are certain precautions that you should take assystem does not mask these numbers, contact your
a merchant to promote non-fraudulent transactionsPOS system provider and inquire about credit card
and secure the stability of your business by reducingmasking.