Where are Some Types of Online Fraud Coming From?

According to the U.S Internet Crime Complaint Center in 2004, there were more than 207,000 internet fraud reports in the United States alone. One type of online fraud that most people are familiar with is a scam run on Craigslist where the seller receives an email from a prospective buyer offering to send a cashier’s check to purchase the advertised item. By the time you find out the check is not valid, they have already picked up your product. In addition, they often over pay you for your item in the cashier’s check and ask for money to be sent back to them. Lowest Merchant Account Fees

Online fraud has evolved and is no longer limited to strangers and stolen cards. Fraud can even come directly from the people you hire to market your products. A type of this kind of fraud is called affiliate fraud and involves affiliate networks. An affiliate network acts as an intermediary between publishers (affiliates) and merchant affiliate programs. They are the people that you hire to drive customers to your site and manage your affiliate activity.

Affiliate fraud comes in many different forms, one of which is deceiving marketing emails that are often considered spam and can give your company a bad name. It is important to market your product or service and use email campaigns strategically. Beware of the many affiliates that may create masked domains of your web site, capturing customers who may not know they have purchased your product and causing a large number of chargebacks.

A large indicator that there is possible affiliate fraud is looking for a large amount of customers coming from the same IP address or that are using similar emails. Many times the affiliate will use a gift card or prepaid card to make purchases and when these cards get close to their next billing cycle they get declined.

There are things you can do to protect yourself against online affiliate fraud. Having a stable and reliable third party reporting system will help minimize your risk. Your software should show how many of the affiliate transactions actually continue to the next billing cycle. It is also important to have a system that has the ability to block affiliates and can provide your business with data that can be analyzed. Solid reporting systems can let you know exactly what affiliate network is sending traffic back to your website.

Affiliates still remain an excellent source of traffic for people who are looking to promote their website or products online, but caution and research should be taken when selecting and monitoring what affiliate network is best for you.

MSIQ is dedicated to saving merchants money on what they already have to pay. We believe that educating our merchants about the industry is the best way to earn and keep your business

A Business Survival Secret

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In these turbulent economic times, it is imperative that business owners seek and embrace ideas to save money. One expenditure-reduction secret hinges on this often over-looked principle: the way a business collects money may be an integral factor in how much money that business collects. By devising an advantageous accounts-receivable system, owners pave the way for favorable cash flow.

How can business owners collect money due (to them) in quicker, cheaper and more effective ways?

Cash flow is crucial to a business’s vitality. One of the primary reasons any given enterprise fails may be attributed to cash flow problems where expenses outpace revenues. Future returns cannot offset present day expenditures. Thus, by maximizing revenues, by instituting a method where a company collects payments in a more timely, efficient manner–cash flow becomes more favorable and concomitant business success appears more likely.

The operative question arises: “How can business owners collect money due (to them) in quicker, cheaper and more effective ways?” Companies specializing in outstanding payment services can implement services immediately and serve as a means of keeping owners’ prices competitive while preserving profits–a rare combination for today’s business establishments. The following provides a glimpse of several exciting accounts receivable services:

Checks by Phone: This service is especially ideal for owners whose business has a mail order component. Payment is secured via the telephone upon the customer’s authorization and deposited into the owner’s account within 48 hours. A phone checks system offers a distinct advantage over credit card processing: tremendous cost savings (as high discount/transaction fees do not exist).

Online Electronic Checks: Here, an owner may easily accept and process electronic check payments directly on his/her website. It takes less than two days for the funds to be transferred to the owner’s account (a much shorter duration than a paper check). Again, credit card expenditures are avoided as the potential number of clients increase. In addition, “impulse” purchases are more likely to occur.

Automated payments: Various companies have the software to produce bank drafts for businesses that expect to receive payments on a recurring (e.g., monthly) and/or nonrecurring basis. These drafts collect customers’ payments using automatic bank deductions from their checking accounts. Paper drafts are delivered to the owner on their due date. For larger businesses, payments may be processed through the ACH system. Using an automated payment system, owners need not worry about late payments and unnecessary time and labor costs.

Electronic check conversion: Paper checks are handled in much the same manner as credit cards where the owner receives payment within two days. A check is scanned and, like a credit card, is converted to an electronic item at the point of sale. Conversion machines may come equipped with verification (to ensure that a potential customer is not listed on a negative database of individuals who have previously bounced checks) and technology to electronically collect that “falls through the loop” NSF check. Research indicates that about 18 billion point-of-sale checks are written every year in the United States and a business can increase its profit potential 30% by accepting checks.

MSIQ can perform a detailed and honest black & white numbers analysis to add efficiency to your costs

Credit Cards: Ultimately, a business owner must still include this option, as this may be the preferred method of payment by customers. Retailers must be aware, as many credit card carriers overcharge for equipment and quote unreasonable discount and transaction rates. In addition, subtle fees may come into play that cause “cash flow paralysis.” An owner must perform due diligence when contracting with credit card carriers, taking price and quality of customer service into account. Contrary to popular opinion, banks are usually not the best resource.

Substantial profits may be obtained by knowing how to cut expenses and optimize efficiency. A vibrant and healthy accounts receivable system saves more than money; indeed, it just may save the enterprise! MSIQ can perform a detailed and honest black & white numbers analysis of your current rates, or setup low rates for those businesses that do not yet accept credit card payments.

Reasons to Avoid Credit Card Terminal Leases

The Games Lease Providers Play

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Reasons Not To Sign A Lease

Businesses often look at leasing as a viable alternative to purchasing high priced equipment. After all, not many small businesses can foot the bill for a $15,000 color copier. But would you lease a $200 cell phone or a $300 cash register? Of course not! So why do some businesses lease $150-$300 credit card terminals?

Most credit card terminal leases involve a 48 month term, and at least $20 a month. That totals $960 in payments! If you buy this same terminal for $160 from MSIQ and charge it to a credit card, you could have it paid it off in nine months, with interest, for the same $20 monthly payment.

Would you lease a $200 cell phone or a $300 cash register? Of course not!

The Games Lease Providers Play:

Most merchants are given inflated costs to make them more inclined to lease. For instance, some companies will say a terminal, which costs $160 at MSIQ, costs $500. With no frame of reference, many new customers will simply assume this is accurate, but may not have the cash or credit for that amount. Also, some companies claim tax advantages to leasing. This is simply false. It is true that lease payments are deductible, but any business purchase is deductible. Would you rather deduct an expense or have the cash in your pocket?

That’s not the only bad news. Here are a few more facts about leasing credit card terminals…

• Credit Card Machine Leasing Contracts are Binding
  • Regardless of your circumstances, you cannot terminate the lease before the term ends.
• You Have to Return the Equipment
  • After you spend your $960, you then have to return the terminal
• Leasing Has Costly Strings Attached
  • Terminal leasing companies sometimes continue to charge monthly fees beyond the contract term unless you contact them to cancel.
  • Equipment insurance is required for all leases, adding to monthly fees.
  • Lowest Merchant Account Fees

Don’t get stuck in a long-term leasing contract while paying far more than necessary to process credit cards. Save money and avoid the hassles of leasing—Click here to see our wide selection of Credit Card Machines.

MSIQ is dedicated to saving merchants money on what they already have to pay. We believe that educating our merchants about the industry is the best way to earn and keep your business.

MSIQ

MSIQ

MSIQ is a premier provider of merchant accounts and credit card processing.

“MSIQ has broken the mold for credit card processing accounts, setting up merchant accounts without the high fees and arbitrary overcharges.”

“Merchants today are fed up with the overcharges and high fees for their merchant account”

At MSIQ we believe our core business advantage is our integrity, honesty and customer service combined with innovative products that anticipate and address our customers’ needs.”

MSIQ

Phone: (424) 212-9500

Lowest Merchant Account Fees

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VeriFone Vx510 Credit Card Terminal

The VeriFone Vx510 Credit Card Terminal is an advanced, yet easy-to-use device.

With high-speed transaction processing, multiple payment applications, and the most reliable security protections, the VeriFone Vx510 terminal provides exceptional performance and functionality.

Designed with a small footprint for easy handling, this product combines a mag-stripe card reader, high-speed thermal printer, and internal PIN pad with a user-friendly ATM-style interface to minimize costly errors.

Retail Price: $499.00
Our Price: $125.99!!*

Buy Now!

Call us at (424) 212-9500 to Purchase

Features:

• Triple-track card reader handles most magnetic-striped cards, including mini-cards
• Integrated, high-speed thermal printer is quiet and easy to load
• Internal PIN pad for debit and other PIN-based applications
• Multiple payment and value-added applications
• Superior performance for faster transaction processing
• Latest security protections including SSL, advanced 3DES encryption, Master/Session and DUKPT management, and sophisticated VeriShield file authentication and tamper resistance
• PCI PED approved for debit and other PIN-based transactions
• Up to 3MB of rapid DMM (dynamically managed memory)
• Intuitive ATM-style interface, large backlit display, ergonomic keys, and bold menu prompts minimize clerk training, speed lines, and reduce errors
• Small footprint takes up little counter space
• Leverages existing SoftPay and Verix applications for quick and simple setup

Retail Price: $499.00
Our Price: $125.99!!*

Buy Now!

Call us at (424) 212-9500 to Purchase

*If you are not approved for processing, you will be refunded the full price of this product.

Hypercom T7Plus Payment Terminal

Hypercom T7Plus Credit Card Payment Terminal

Hypercom T7Plus Credit Card Terminal

The Hypercom T7Plus is one of the most popular credit card terminals ever made. The T7 Plus, with 1MB of RAM, is both compact and highly advanced. Merchant Solutions offers the Hypercom T7Plus at the guaranteed lowest price anywhere.

The Hypercom T7Plus is designed for merchants requiring a compact countertop POS terminal which accepts all magnetic stripe cards and delivers fast, online transaction authorizations.

The T7Plus delivers more – with peripheral acceptance of contactless RF cards and fobs. The compact terminal is also EMV4.0 certified. With its 35 or 19-key configuration, it initiates daily functions and transactions with one simple step.

The T7Plus utilizes the SureLoad® printer which allows simple paper roll replacement – paper rolls can be dropped in place without time-consuming feeding through slots and rollers. The printer also supports longer paper rolls for fewer paper changes and its see-through paper holder alerts cashiers to low paper conditions.

The T7Plus is customizable. It’s the first of its kind to offer bi-lingual screen displays. Big 5 Chinese and English can be shown simultaneously, meeting the needs of Chinese-speaking merchants and cashiers.

Retail Price: $499.00
Our Price: $99.00!!*

Buy Now!

Call us at (424) 212-9500 to Purchase

Hypercom T7 Plus Datasheet

Certifications

• PED Certified
• EMV approved
• All major certifications – please see our website for the complete listing

Applications

• General Retail
• Multi-merchant
• Restaurants
• Pharmacies
• Grocery stores
• C-stores

Specifications

• Memory – 1MB
• Display – 2 lines x 20 characters test display, standard 4 lines x 20 characters (text display optional); back-lit LCD
• Printer – SureLoad™: Clamshell design with drop-in paper loading, thermal technology
  Paper roll – 57 mm wide, 80 mm diameter
• Keypad – 35 keys, water-resistant; 3 soft keys optional; Options: 59 keys with QWERTY Keyboard
• Card Reader – Tracks 1 and 2 simultaneous; Options: Track 3
• Communications – LAN, RS422, RS232, RS485, 2 wire or 4 wire
• Auxiliary Ports – PIN Pad, RS422/RS485; Options: RS232
• Modem – 1200, 300 bps, V22, V21 synchronous (SDLC) & asynchronous; 2400bps, V.22BIS optional
• Reliability – Key Life: 500,000 Keystrokes (Calculated); Card Reader: 400,000 Reads (Calculated); Printer: 900,000 lines MCBF
• ESD Resistance – 12,000V
• Memory/Clock Back-up – Lithium Battery (5 years)
• Physical – H: 2.5 in; W: 5.18 in; D: 10 in (301 mm); Weight:1.5 lbs
• Environmental Operating Temperature – 0°-45°C/32°-115°F
• Operating Humidity – 15% to 85%, non-condensing
• Power – AC 85-250 V, 50/60 Hz; DC 24 V DC, 1A

Retail Price: $499.00
Our Price: $99.00!!*

Buy Now!

Call us at (424) 212-9500 to Purchase

Hypercom T7 Plus Datasheet

*If you are not approved for processing, you will be refunded the full price of this product.