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6 Ways Accepting Credit Cards Can Benefit Your Business

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Are you wondering about the benefits of accepting credit cards for your business?  Cash and check are acceptable forms of payment, but accepting credit cards adds the extra touch of legitimacy to your company.  Take a look at the ways in which accepting credit cards can help your business.

  1. Accepting credit cards creates trust. When a potential customer sees logos of credit cards that your business accepts on an applique on your door, or noted on your website, your business becomes more legitimate because your business accepts trusted brands which are major forms of payment.  The more that your business it trusted, the more likely someone is to buy from you.

 

  1. You will increase sales. Simply put, accepting credit cards will allow you to make more money because it’s one more form of payment that people are able to use to make a purchase.  What business doesn’t want to increase sales?

 

  1. Credit cards offer convenience. Not everyone carries cash, and writing checks is fast becoming obsolete.  However, most everyone has a credit or debit card.  It is a form of payment that is carried by many people, and accepting it allows a person to make a purchase without the hassle of having to worry about using either cash or check.

 

  1. People are more willing to make a purchase with a credit card. People are more willing to buy on impulse using a credit card because of the amount of money on the line of credit.

 

  1. You can grow your business to include online sales. Online purchases generally require a credit or debit card to make a purchase.  Accepting credit cards will allow you to conduct business online and, as #2 suggests, increase sales in the process.

 

  1. Payment snafus are eliminated. The beauty of a credit card is that it is declined immediately, so you don’t have to worry about your business losing money to a bounced check.

 

These are just a few ways in which accepting credit cards can make your business more profitable, and really, who doesn’t want that?  Give COCARD a call today, we would love to help you find the perfect processing solution for your business!  For more information about credit card processing, point of sale solutions and more call 1-800-317-1819 or email at info@cocard.info.

 

 

 

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Tips for Preventing a Data Breach

Tips for Preventing a Data Breach

 

Tips for Preventing a Data Breach

 

When you think about data breaches, your mind probably jumps to the highly publicized incidents of companies like Target and Home Depot. Small business might think they don’t need to take security measures–but that’s not the case. Small business are as susceptible to data breaches as large corporations, and may actually be at greater risk.

Stephen Cobb, a senior security researcher at ESET, says that hackers like to target small businesses because they have more digital assets than a single customer, and not as many security measures put into place as a large enterprise. According to QSR magazine, small businesses like restaurants, are data-thief magnets because they process an abundance of credit cards and often use POS equipment.

Protect your small business with these data breach prevention tips from Chip and Terminal:

 

1. Be Proactive

  • Routinely check your POS systems to make sure they haven’t been tampered with.
  • Don’t wait for a problem to arise. Perform regular vulnerability assessments- once a week is advisable. These tests should be conducted on all systems associated with your network.

 

2. Make sure your credit card processing network is secure

  • Be sure adequate firewall and virus protection measures are put into place.
  • Avoid combining your network with your in-store free Wi-Fi. Make sure any open Wi- Fi networks your customers may use is on a separate network from the one where you process your credit cards.
    • If your devices are not properly installed, configured, and managed, you are taking on a large risk.

 

3. Hold your employees accountable

  • Train your employees on proper security measures. Creating a culture in your business that is more security-minded can help eliminate mistakes that may lead to a data breach. If your employees are knowledgeable and diligent in regards to your network’s security, they will be better able to notice atypical behavior.
  • Discuss with your employees the best way to optimize credit card security. Remind them that handling credit cards and physical cash is similar. There is a lot of responsibility that comes with handling money and information. Limiting how much employees handle credit cards out-of-sight can help prevent dishonest employees from stealing customer information.

 

4. Switch to EMV acceptance

  • EMV technology in the U.S. is catching up to the rest of the world after the 2015 EMV mandate. The chip that is embedded in EMV cards is encrypted and creates a new code every time the card is used to make a purchase, making the card unable to be replicated and more secure than a simple magnetic stripe card.
  • If a fraudulent charge has been made with an EMV enabled card, but a merchant doesn’t have the technology to process an EMV card, the merchant must accept the charge as a loss. Because of the liability shift it is critical that merchants invest in a processing system that accommodates EMV chips, whether they choose an EMV- enabled terminal or Point- of- Sale system.
  • The prevalence of EMV cards makes a data breach less likely because it is a lot harder for hackers to target individual cardholders as well as the businesses that accept them

 

If you would like more information on how to update your POS system and how to be more secure, including switching to EMV compliant technology, contact us at 800-317-1819!

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Cartoon illustrations of an EMV Chip Card reader and EMV Credit Card

The EMV Files: A Conversation with Chip and Terminal

Cartoon illustrations of an EMV Chip Card reader and EMV Credit Card

Last week we introduced Chip and Terminal, who have a lot to say about EMV, mainly because they are the main components in EMV technology. So we were lucky enough to be able to book a slot on their busy schedule this fall season to interview them and ask them a few questions. Personally, we think they’d be great on Bravo, but they might have competition with a real housewife or two.

COCARD: Hi Chip. Hi Terminal. We’re so glad that we could ask you two a few questions about EMV. Really, we’re honored. Could you just start by telling us a little bit about yourselves?

Chip: Sure, well I’m Chip, and I’m the small chip that’s embedded in credit cards with EMV technology. Banks have already started transitioning to cards including yours truly, and plan on having all cards in the US utilizing EMV technology within five years.

Terminal: I’m Terminal, and all cards containing chips, will be dipped into terminals to be read. I like to say that I give new meaning to dipping the chip. I provide a one-time code to authenticate the card. Because of this, your data is protected, preventing a person from stealing a code that is only good for one transaction.

COCARD: So when did you first realize that you worked so well together, that you were a great team?

Terminal: I’ll take this one Chip. We’ve had a couple of countries really benefit from EMV technology. There’s the UK, which reduced fraud by more than half between 2004 and 2013 upon implementing EMV cards. Then there’s Canada, eh, that started the EMV roll-out in 2003 and reported fraud of $29.5 million (CAD), down 79% from 2009, which was $142 million (CAD). So I would say that it’s taken some time to see the effects, but in the past few years, we’ve really seen the impact that EMV cards have had in reducing fraud for many countries around the world.

COCARD: EMV is new for many business owners. So I’m sure you understand how such a change might make people anxious. What would you say to assuage the fears of business owners everywhere?

Chip: Well, first the sky is not falling. It might seem like it, but it’s not. The proof is that it’s already been successful in other places, and the US is simply one of the few developed nations that has not adopted this technology. EMV, through its authentication process, is really what makes these cards, our cards, more secure. So they are a safe and secure way to pay for things. We think that any business owner can appreciate the feeling of comfort that security brings.  The big thing for business owners to remember is that banks have a five year plan and that only 21% of US cards will have the embedded chip by the October 1st liability shift..

COCARD: Anything else you’d like business owners out there to know?

Terminal: We just want you all to stay informed. Keep learning. The more you know, we think the less you’ll feel out of your element with something that can benefit your business.

COCARD: Thanks Chip. Thanks Terminal. You were both great. We appreciate that you were able to take time out of your busy schedules—you two are in high demand—to spend a few minutes with us at COCARD. Have a great day.

Chip: You too.

Terminal: Yeah, thanks COCARD.

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Sales & Marketing Specialist

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Since 1988, our Decatur-based financial services and technology firm has provided simple, secure and cost-effective electronic payment, data convergence and fraud prevention services for clients around the world. As we develop new products and services, we are currently seeking a highly motivated Sales & Marketing Specialist with comprehensive marketing, data analysis and project coordination skillswho can help us optimize our marketing efforts and maximize sales.

Analyzing the company’s existing and potential markets, the Sales & Marketing Specialist will spearhead targeted offline and digital marketing campaigns, mining our CRM database so that we can more effectively market new products and services to both our current customers and prospects.  The Sales & Marketing Specialist must have experience with social marketing and be actively managing social network responsibilities at current position.

Position Duties

  • Work with the general manager and company president to plan marketing strategies
  • Utilize the company’s marketing database to execute and support marketing initiatives
  • Coordinate, analyze and report on various marketing activities, which may include digital and social media communications, advertising, direct mail, promotional items and more
  • Gather requirements, provide statistical and quantitative analyses and reporting of marketing data, and make actionable recommendations based on results
  • Manage list extractions and other analytical functions including profiling, reporting and target filtering
  • Develop and generate daily, weekly, Ad Hoc and quarterly reports for business intelligence use
  • Monitor quality of data to ensure accurate and consistent results
  • Identify appropriate metrics for marketing campaigns, detailing the measurement process and output requirements
  • Provide strategic direction to copywriters and graphic designers in order to develop targeted marketing materials
  • Assist in implementing marketing email strategy to grow subscriber list, retain customers and increase incoming leads and sales
  • Quantify the overall impact of digital and offline marketing initiatives
  • Move marketing data between applications or populate new databases as needed
  • Perform other duties as assigned

Requirements

  • Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing or related field
  • 3-5 years of marketing experience, preferably in B2B marketing
  • Significant proficiency with SQL and other database applications; SAAS experience strongly preferred
  • Extensive report creation experience with business intelligence tools
  • Ability to work independently but within prescribed time deadlines and budgets
  • Strong quantitative skills coupled with a solid understanding of business and marketing
  • Expert skills with MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)
  • Knowledge of CAN-SPAM and ISP Email policies
  • Expertise with all forms of social media
  • Creative problem solving and analytic skills
  • Excellent oral, written and interpersonal communication skills
  • Ability to organize, analyze, and share information
  • Strong multitasking skills and ability to work in a flexible, dynamic and fast-paced environment

Applicants for employment in the U.S. must possess work authorization which does not require sponsorship by the employer for a visa.

Please submit your resume and a brief cover letter to hr@aaaccess.com.

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Meet Rex, Weekend Support Specialist

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Take some time getting to know one of CoCard’s most promising employees, Technical Support Specialist, Rex Peterson!

Currently a Computer Science major at Georgia State University, Rex’s love for coding, mobile applications, and all things tech has led him to CoCard’s headquarters in Decatur. His strong knowledge of Mandarin Chinese and program development makes him a fully qualified member of CoCard’s bilingual support team.

Rex is the newest member of our weekend support team, available to assist you when nobody else can. Rex is in place and on call to answer any questions regarding technical support, customer transaction services, and terminal download assistance.

Aren’t you tired of constantly dealing with automated voices and answering machines? Stop wasting time and money sitting on hold, and start receiving intelligent, insightful tech assistance from our 24/7 support staff! Call us for support today!

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