Merchant Account - Methods of Processing Credit Cards

Methods of Processing Credit Cards

Today a majority of credit card transactions are sent electronically to merchant processing banks for authorization, capture and deposit. Various methods exist for presenting a credit card sale to "the system." In all circumstances either the entire magnetic strip is read by a swipe through a credit card terminal/reader, a computer chip is read, or the credit card information is manually entered into a credit card terminal, a computer or website. The earliest methods, submitting credit card slips to a merchant processing bank by mail, or by accessing an Automated Response Unit (ARU) by telephone, are still in use today but have long been overshadowed by electronic devices. These early methods used two-part forms and a manual device for mechanically imprinting the embossed card number information onto the forms.

Read more about this topic:  Merchant Account

Famous quotes containing the words methods of, methods, credit and/or cards:

    Methods of thought which claim to give the lead to our world in the name of revolution have become, in reality, ideologies of consent and not of rebellion.
    Albert Camus (1913–1960)

    The ancient bitter opposition to improved methods [of production] on the ancient theory that it more than temporarily deprives men of employment ... has no place in the gospel of American progress.
    Herbert Hoover (1874–1964)

    The thief steals from himself. The swindler swindles himself. For the real price is knowledge and virtue, whereof wealth and credit are signs. These signs, like paper money, may be counterfeited or stolen, but that which they represent, namely, knowledge and virtue, cannot be counterfeited or stolen.
    Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882)

    Oft have I played at cards and dice,
    Because they were so enticing;
    But this is a sad and sorrowful day
    To see my apron rising.
    Unknown. The Rantin Laddie (l. 1–4)