If I already have a merchant account for my store, why do I need an internet merchant account?
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If I already have a merchant account for my store, why do I need an internet merchant account?
In your store, you can swipe the credit card through a card reader, compare a customer's signature to that on the back of the card, and with newer cards even see a picture of your customer. All this helps eliminate fraudulent use of credit cards. For an ecommerce merchant account, additional steps are taken to ensure that the card is not stolen and this special type of account is called a "card not present" merchant account. This might include comparing billing and shipping addresses or having the customer enter the security code on the back of the card. Your internet merchant account helps ensure that you will collect the payment, as promised, and not be out both your goods and the money. Processing is done in real time, as the order is being made, so you don't have to wait and batch process payments.
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| Linda Handiak |
