PCI DSS has become not only a buzz-phrase within the credit card processing industry but it has arguably become the most important phrase now linked with the ability to accept credit cards in the UK. 'Are you PCI Compliant (?)' has become the key question for every retailer, business and small merchant everywhere. But, what does the industry really mean by PCI DSS or PCI Compliance?
Retail Merchant Services makes understanding PCI DSS Card Payments easy
Retail Merchant Services, a leading independent credit card processing organisation, recently took the lead in the independent merchant services sector on PCI DSS Payment Security and specifically tackled the issue of PCI Compliance - simplifying the process for small and medium-sized businesses.
First, we looked at the most frequently asked question that we encountered concerning PCI Compliance:
'What does PCI DSS stand for and what does PCI Compliance mean?'
PCI DSS or simply stands for: Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard
Knowing what PCI DSS stands for goes some way to help us answering what PCI Compliance actually is. The Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard in summary is the minimum level of security that applies to credit card and debit card transactions. The Data Security Standard is set by the Card Schemes, such as Visa and MasterCard and the standard is not negotiable, it must be attained by every organisation that accepts payment cards, this ensures the high security integrity of the international payment cards network - maintaining and raising confidence in consumers of their payment security.
How do I become PCI Compliant and carrying on accepting credit cards?
The important thing to remember about PCI DSS compliance is that it is essential to continue accepting credit and debit cards. Businesses and merchant who fail to achieve and maintain PCI Compliance could face penalties from the Card Schemes, this could include being unable to process credit card and debit card transactions - which will affect your trade.
First of all though, don't worry! Retail Merchant Services have experienced and dedicated payments experts on hand in your local community to help you become PCI Compliant and save money on your existing credit card processing package - if you already have one. PCI DSS primarily concerns two major factors that directly relate to your level of compliance, these two factors are:
- Your Card Processing Hardware
- Your Card Processing Software
How does my credit card processing hardware affect my PCI Compliance?
Your credit card terminal or machine directly relates to your level of PCI Compliance. Older credit card terminals and machines may not necessarily meet the required security standards. The way your credit card terminal connects to your telephone line or broadband router may not currently be sufficient to protect confidential card data and how your terminal processes and sends your secure card data may not meet the latest level of encryption available.
You can speak in confidence to one of our local payments experts to discuss your level of PCI Compliance. We can arrange a free, no obligation site visit and quotation to provide you with a low cost credit card processing solution that is guaranteed to meet PCI DSS Compliance standards - ensuring you can keep accepting credit cards and debit cards.
How does my credit card processing software affect my PCI Compliance?
Your credit card terminal, machine or virtual terminal uses software (a special computer program) to read the confidential data from payment cards, including the PIN code and encrypts this before sending it on to the card processing centre. If you have had you credit card terminal for some time it is worth checking that your software is the latest available and complies with the level of encryption required of the PCI DSS Compliance scheme. Even if you have the latest credit card terminal it may still not be PCI Compliant without modern, secure encryption that scrambles the data completely before sending and receiving it over the telephone line or across the internet.
Retail Merchant Services has a payment expert in your community and you can speak to us now to arrange a personal appointment to discuss your own level of PCI Compliance. We can arrange a free, no obligation site visit and quotation to provide you with a low cost credit card processing solution that is guaranteed to meet PCI DSS Compliance standard - ensuring you can keep accepting credit cards and debit cards.
Retail Merchant Services: the trusted independent credit card processing provider
In 2007 Retail Merchant Services Limited was established to open UK Credit Card Processing to every business, no matter how big or how small, and to do all of this by:
a. Offering market-leading, easy to understand, low cost credit card processing
b. Providing any credit card terminals and machines needed, included in the price
c. Offering a flexible range of easy-in and easy-out additional cash saving benefits
d. Reducing the use of jargon and helping you make sense of credit card payments
e. Offering a real alternative to the banking industry, working fairly for you
Retail Merchant Services offers a complete card processing solution to each of their 22,000 happy customers and because all of the technical details are taken care of by their experienced team there is less for you to worry about and more time for you to run your business.
How are Retail Merchant Services different?
British based, with only UK call centres, and staffed only by experienced card payment specialists Retail Merchant Services has an enviable reputation for providing world-class customer service at all times. In fact it is their excellent customer service combined with a traditional network of local representatives that helped Retail Merchant Services to scoop the prestigious 'Outstanding Performance' award in 2010 from Elavon at the European Summit.
Everything that Retail Merchant Services do and provide has been meticulously drafted and tested from a customer point of view; from easy to understand agreements and invoices to high quality software used on their credit card machines - credit card processing couldn't be easier with Retail Merchant Services.
Find out more ... Get in touch
Are you ready to start saving your business money? Get in touch with us by calling 0845 241 9960
or contact us and you can start to experience our unrivalled, world-class customer service and get your business switched on to Retail Merchant Services.
