Now that you have your Chip and PIN machines - Suggestions for use

The following are a few tips and steps to take once you have your new debit card terminal(s) running on your business premises.

- Always put the card into the machine, even once you suspect that its not necessarily a Chip and PIN debit card. It's always best to be certain, and the majority of Chip and PIN devices will tell you if a signature is required; although there are not so many cards that require this anymore.
- Always ensure that if the card needs a signature to take payment that you stick to the regular rules of security measures. Some people may still make use of a signature strip card and especially those from another country. It is essential to enable anybody to pay with as least difficulty as is possible.
- Make sure that your credit card terminal is situated to be able to help the customer enter their PIN number comfortably and In private. Clients will not feel relaxed entering their PIN number if anybody around them can observe the numbers they are pushing on the keypad.
- Stay relaxed if a customer cant remember their PIN number or enters it improperly. This doesn't signify you have a thief in front of you, or some kind of fraudster, it is often a mistake. If the card locks out and won't allow the buyer to purchase their goods and services, make a professional and polite suggestion that they go to call their bank or credit card company on the phone to be able to get it sorted out, and ask them if they can offer any substitute payment method. When you have a shop process for this kind of thing then stick to this too. Forgetting your PIN number is a standard problem and you should do your foremost never to humiliate your customer.

Let's suppose I cannot yet accept debit cards?

If you do not yet use a terminal with chip and pin capabilities, then your company will almost undoubtedly still be at risk of having to pay for fraudulent transactions when they occur. In order to significantly lower the chance of this, simply update your existing hardware, to a Chip and PIN terminal which will help prevent a large amount of payment fraud.

You must consider contacting your company bank for information about accepting debit cards, or alternatively contact a credit payment processing professional who can take away all the hassle in putting together your payment processing solutions. In many cases you can remain with your own company bank account and just depend on them for the payment processing. Its definitely worth getting the extra security of Chip and PIN machines and maximising payment methods for your clients.

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