September 14th, 2010
Mobile Payment China 2010
September 20th, 2010
Payments Symposium 2010: Tools of the Trade
September 20th, 2010
The Card Evolution Summit
October 3rd, 2010
18th Annual ATM, Debit & Prepaid Forum 2010
October 13th, 2010
WSAA 2010 Annual Conference
U.S. puts dent in global cybercrime
ollowing guidelines in the National Strategy to Secure Cyberspace, drafted by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security in 2003, U.S. federal law enforcement agencies have increasingly searched globally to disband international cybercrime syndicates perpetrating crimes on U.S. residents via complex networks hosted and operated outside of U.S. jurisdiction.
In August 2010, due in part to these efforts, one alleged ringleader of an international card fraud scheme was nabbed, and a business owner charged by the FBI with money laundering settled in court.
August 23, 2010 • Issue 10:08:02
GS Issue 10:08:02 – Lead Story
Tapping into portfolio power players
A diversified portfolio is especially important during a recession. Luckily, ample opportunity exists for ISOs and merchant level salespeople (MLSs) who spend time on relationships that may not be immediately gratifying but can prove lucrative in the long run. This article explores two growing niche markets with big potential for ISOs willing to put in the time.
GS Issue 10:08:02 – News
Debit surcharges targeted by California lawmakers
A California State Senate bill that would prohibit retailers from surcharging consumers who pay with debit cards pits consumer protection advocates against retailers and their representatives. The crux of the matter is whether debit card surcharging really hurts consumer choice.
GS Issue 10:08:02 – News
Have NFC payments reached tipping point?
A partnership between three major international wireless telecoms for a near field communication (NFC) initiative seems to bode well for the advance of long-touted mobile contactless payments. But has NFC-enabled m-payments finally arrived, or is it yet another example of false promise for this new way to pay?
GS Issue 10:08:02 – News
Skimmers shifting from ATMs to gas pumps
With card skimming devices recently found on gas pumps at several stations in Aluchua County, Fla., authorities now recognize that fraudsters who once targeted ATMs have switched their modus operandi. It seems an increased level of security on ATMs has forced data thieves to turn to gas pumps, where data security is often lacking.
GS Issue 10:08:02 – Selling Prepaid
Legislative fallout for gift card providers
With the passage of The Credit Card Accountability, Responsibility and Disclosure Act of 2009 and the financial reform bill, the prepaid card industry suddenly has a lot more to think about from a regulatory perspective. For one, gift card providers will have to figure out how to get all that disclosure info on a tiny piece of plastic.
GS Issue 10:08:02 – Views
ISOs, MLSs and financial services re-regulation
If the era of financial services deregulation is over, what comes next? Well, nobody knows just yet. It is up to the Federal Reserve to write the rules that will implement the Restoring American Financial Stability Act of 2010. While debit interchange will be regulated, the so-called Dodd-Frank Act will likely not be the final word on how the Feds set card pricing.
GS Issue 10:08:02 – Views
In the United States alone, financial fraud accounts for $200 billion in losses. A large part of that fraud involves cyberthieves who steal and sell consumer card data. This article details techniques fraudsters employ to pull off their schemes, from malware attacks to SQL injections.
GS Issue 10:08:02 – Street Smarts
Residual valuations are an important topic for all ISOs and MLSs to ponder. Some agents look forward to the day when they can sell their portfolios for huge windfall profits. Others see portfolios as long-term investments and have no plans on selling. Either way, valuations determine the worth of portfolios on the open market and thus a large part of agents' net worth.
GS Issue 10:08:02 – Education
It is a global economy we live in, and now might be the time for domestic players to take advantage of international business opportunities. Europe, for one, should be a prime target for forays into payments overseas. But complexities of the Single Euro Payments Area and the Payment Service Directive should be understood before U.S. payment providers take the plunge.
GS Issue 10:08:02 – Education
Succeeding at PCI compliance - Part 4: Maintaining the program
Compliance with the Payment Card Industry (PCI) Data Security Standard (DSS) is not a one-and-done scenario. Yearly validation of security systems must be married to 24/7 vigilance of those same systems. Maintaining a watchdog approach to data security means the card brands' attack dogs of data security – and the subsequent fines they may levy – can be kept at bay.
GS Issue 10:08:02 – Education
Technical details: What to share and what to spare
Sellers risk confusing or turning off merchants if they get too "technical" in their sales pitches. On the other hand, it's important to educate merchants on current technology and related issues. Sales reps must walk that fine line between too little and too much. Here are tips and suggestions on what to tell merchants about interchange, security, and POS hardware and software.
GS Issue 10:08:02 – Education
Are your online contracts enforceable?
Getting merchant contracts signed online is fast, convenient and legal. But it's not as easy as point and click. Extra steps are required to meet the litmus test of a legally enforceable online contract. This article details those steps, from making sure the contract contains clear and concise terms of services to identity authentication
GS Issue 10:08:02 – Education
The proper care and feeding of LinkedIn
The social networking site LinkedIn is a powerful communication and marketing tool. But your LinkedIn page must be cared for as a carpenter maintains his tools. To keep LinkedIn working for you, follow these 10 tips for a polished, active online presence that helps you differentiate yourself from the competition.
GS Issue 10:08:02 – Inspiration
Shuffling the deck on negative people
Every workplace has them – people who sap the energy from the office and excel at making just the wrong comment at just the wrong time. But their ilk needn't bother you. You can easily employ strategies to diffuse the negativity of griping coworkers or even crabby merchants.