| If you sell products online, you should be on the look | | | | firewall in your computer to protect your system from |
| out for credit card fraud. Yes, internet merchants need | | | | hackers and malicious programs. Use a secured |
| to be even more cautious when it comes to accepting | | | | website. Using a secured website should be every |
| credit card payments to avoid becoming a victim of | | | | internet merchant's top priority. Your site should be |
| hacking or causing their clients to become victims of ID | | | | encrypted with at least 128-bit SSL (Secured Socket |
| theft. While carelessness can cost you and your | | | | Layer). Buyers will be more confident in making an |
| clients big, implementing strict guidelines for online | | | | online purchase if they can see that you're using a |
| payments can protect both you and your customers | | | | secured server. |
| from fraud. If customers can see that you take the | | | | Use a secured shopping cart. You may need to invest |
| extra step to minimize the risk of fraud, they will be | | | | for the best shopping cart software but it is money |
| more confident in doing business with you. Below are | | | | well-spent. Some shopping carts offered at a cheaper |
| practical tips on how you can avoid fraud. | | | | cost may not give you guaranteed secured protection. |
| Closely verify payments. How can you properly verify | | | | It is wise to choose a shopping cart system that is |
| online credit card payment? One way is to require the | | | | trusted by big companies and more online marketers in |
| the CVV or the three-digit card verification value found | | | | the industry. The higher cost for a secured shopping |
| at the back of Visa / Mastercard cards, for American | | | | cart is definitely a wise investment. |
| Express its a 4 digit code found on the front of the | | | | Check the expiration date on the credit card. Identity |
| card. | | | | thieves may use expired credit cards when shopping. |
| If a customer is purchasing from your retail location, | | | | Be sure to examine the expiration date of the card |
| ask for a valid proof of identification. Train your staff | | | | before accepting the purchase. Another tactic is the |
| to not be afraid to ask for identification. If the | | | | use of multiple credit cards in one purchase. These |
| customers credit card isn't signed on the back ask to | | | | cards are often stolen from different credit card |
| see their drivers license or passport. Checking the | | | | holders so watch out for customers who want to pay |
| cardholder's signature must become mandatory. Make | | | | using more than one card for the same purchase. |
| sure that both signatures on the credit card and on the | | | | Chances are, the credit card numbers have been |
| ID are matched. Use an account verification system or | | | | stolen. Call the credit card company. |
| AVS. Through the account verification system, a | | | | If you find yourself in a questionable situation, the best |
| merchant can check if the zip code and other details | | | | way to check the identity of the credit card holder is |
| on the credit card match with the zip code and | | | | to call the credit card company and verify the account |
| personal details of the credit card owner. In case the | | | | holder's information. This may take extra time and |
| card has been stolen, one or two details will possibly | | | | effort but taking this extra step can save your |
| not match. | | | | business from the risk of loss due to credit card fraud. |
| Install a firewall on your computer system. Install a | | | | |