Leaders Merchant Services

In the past year and a half, there have been many stories in the news regarding compromised credit card cardholder data at merchant locations. To prevent this, Visa Inc and MasterCard Worldwide have set requirements governing the safekeeping of cardholder information. The industry standard is PCI DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard) Compliance. To protect a business and its customers (cardholders) there are certain safeguards that must be in place.

DO NOT: Store the full contents from the magnetic stripe on the back of the card

DO NOT: Store the Card Validation Code (CVC): The 3 digit value printed on the signature panel of a card or 4 digit value printed on the front of an American Express card

DO: Store all material containing cardholder information (i.e. authorization logs, transaction reports, transaction receipts, car rental agreements, carbon copies, etc.) in a secure area limited to authorized personnel.

Another aspect of PCI compliancy is the mandate that all newly boarded merchants after January 1st, 2008 do not use known vulnerable payment applications or software. LEADERS will not set up a merchant account if a merchant is using such applications or software. They will be required to upgrade their applications or software to PCI compliant standards.

LEADERS is pleased to announce that we only stock PCI compliant credit card terminals and pinpads. The new credit card equipment is especially created with the security within the pinpad (internal or external) of the highest possible standard to prevent compromised cardholder data. Here is a list of the new PCI compliant credit card machines and pinpads that LEADERS is supplying to its merchants:
Verifone Vx510
Verifone Vx570
Verifone Vx610
Lipman Nurit 8000
Way Systems MTT 1581
Verifone Pinpad 1000se
First Data FD-10 pinpad
Hypercom P1300 pinpad

Disclaimer: This blog or article is for information purpose only, and should not be treated a professional advise or price protection guarantee. This blog is mainly used for search engine optimization and other commercial purposes and it is advised that readers seek professional consultation in the field of interest for more information.

The U.S. economy has been hard hit with the very ugly term “recession”. In fact, with the increase in the price of living – housing, energy prices, gasoline – and the downturn in the economy, the U.S. is facing stagflation – the combination of a recession and inflation. The consumers of the world are feeling it. How is it affecting the card payment industry? More specifically, how does it affect merchant service providers like Leaders Merchant Services?
One way the downturn in the economy has affected merchant account providers is through the lack of merchants. People don’t have the resources to open new businesses. Businesses that are in the beginning stages struggle with success and often collapse with the lack of enough sales to keep them afloat. Merchant attrition rates increase as merchants close their doors or leave their credit card service provider for lower rates and fees.
One benefit of LEADERS is that they have the lowest rates in the industry. Plus, LEADERS is always looking to help processing merchants by offering a statement analysis that will show the merchant how much money they will save per month. In fact, LEADERS guarantees to save the merchant money or is willing to give the merchant $500!!! Merchants who are searching for a new merchant account company are pleased to open a LEADERS merchant account and save valuable dollars for running their business.
Another big impact the economy has on credit card processors is through the consumers. Consumers no longer have disposable income to pay for the unnecessary items in life. Instead, they are tightening up on spending. But this does not necessarily mean that consumers are not using their credit cards. Instead, many consumers end up relying on credit cards. People who cannot access home equity or lose jobs have no other source of financing their needs in life other than plastic. The purchases that consumers make on their credit cards shift from large and more frivolous to smaller necessities, but plastic will remain.
The Economic Stimulus Act of 2008 will provide consumers with additional spending money in the form of tax rebates. Putting hundreds of dollars in the hands of the majority of the population will help stimulate the economy, helping consumers pay their bills, increase their spending, or just give them more comfort in their way of life. This relief to consumers will trickle down in positive effects all the way to the merchant service providers like Leaders Merchant Services. And what LEADERS really wants is to see the merchants of the U.S. to succeed in their business endeavors.
Disclaimer: This blog or article is for information purpose only, and should not be treated a professional advise or price protection guarantee. This blog is mainly used for search engine optimization and other commercial purposes and it is advised that readers seek professional consultation in the field of interest for more information.