After the MPAA threw it's hissy-fit tantrum a while back about how Canada is the #1 place for movie piracy because it's where screen records come from, that they're thinking of delaying out movie release for weeks, yada yada yada, Canada doesn't make it anywhere on the list? Heh. Maybe the federal government isn't quite as stupid about what the *AAs are doing as they typically act like.
Just have to toss this in quickly. I've been on the LP side of things and such before for a decent-sized national chain. The merchant pays for it if it can be proven that no precautions were taken by the merchant or it was negligent. First thing they ask for is the original signature slip or the digital form. No signature? You get charged. Signature doesn't even come close to the name? You get charged for it. As well, using various techniques they can tell if it was a man using a woman's card or other way around. Usually in a fraud case, the card is used numerous times and trending, requisition for tapes and bank attempts of cash withdrawals can proof without a doubt that you as a merchant was negligent in your duties as outlined in your merchant account agreement (You have read it, haven't you? Have you called to ask questions?)
As mentioned, the cost always ends up at the customer, just like shoplifting does. It is unfortunately a cost of running a business. While banks profit from fraud, per say, it actually loses money to hire people to deal with fraud, to track it, to follow it back. They are interested in recouping the cost of fraud that can't be directly attributed to merchant fault. This fee is moreso in place as a penalty to those who didn't do their job right and to encourage change. What's to stop a business from taking potentially fraudulent sales by not following good steps such as checking ID, making sure the ID is real (to the best of your knowledge, I've seen some KILLER fake IDs in my time that have fooled the police even,) verifying the card number matches the digital version of the number, and make sure the signature is similar (either to the card or to the ID, or both.)
It is a privledge, not a right to accept VISA/MC and it makes you money. If you find yourself loosing money due to these rather than make it, either because you can't manage your own fraud policy or that you are a large target for credit card fraud, then you need to figure out if it is worth it as a business option. Its like buying a house. You buy a house, it looking like a great deal. 5 years later your furnace blows up, even though you had it inspected before the purchase and the previous owner said it was fine. This is like trying to go after the old homeowner because it blew up; Whether it blew up because you never had the gas elements cleaned or it blew up just because it happens, it's your responsibility. You either should have been prepared or its your own fault for it, noone elses.
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After the MPAA threw it's hissy-fit tantrum a while back about how Canada is the #1 place for movie piracy because it's where screen records come from, that they're thinking of delaying out movie release for weeks, yada yada yada, Canada doesn't make it anywhere on the list? Heh. Maybe the federal government isn't quite as stupid about what the *AAs are doing as they typically act like.
Just have to toss this in quickly. I've been on the LP side of things and such before for a decent-sized national chain. The merchant pays for it if it can be proven that no precautions were taken by the merchant or it was negligent. First thing they ask for is the original signature slip or the digital form. No signature? You get charged. Signature doesn't even come close to the name? You get charged for it. As well, using various techniques they can tell if it was a man using a woman's card or other way around. Usually in a fraud case, the card is used numerous times and trending, requisition for tapes and bank attempts of cash withdrawals can proof without a doubt that you as a merchant was negligent in your duties as outlined in your merchant account agreement (You have read it, haven't you? Have you called to ask questions?) As mentioned, the cost always ends up at the customer, just like shoplifting does. It is unfortunately a cost of running a business. While banks profit from fraud, per say, it actually loses money to hire people to deal with fraud, to track it, to follow it back. They are interested in recouping the cost of fraud that can't be directly attributed to merchant fault. This fee is moreso in place as a penalty to those who didn't do their job right and to encourage change. What's to stop a business from taking potentially fraudulent sales by not following good steps such as checking ID, making sure the ID is real (to the best of your knowledge, I've seen some KILLER fake IDs in my time that have fooled the police even,) verifying the card number matches the digital version of the number, and make sure the signature is similar (either to the card or to the ID, or both.) It is a privledge, not a right to accept VISA/MC and it makes you money. If you find yourself loosing money due to these rather than make it, either because you can't manage your own fraud policy or that you are a large target for credit card fraud, then you need to figure out if it is worth it as a business option. Its like buying a house. You buy a house, it looking like a great deal. 5 years later your furnace blows up, even though you had it inspected before the purchase and the previous owner said it was fine. This is like trying to go after the old homeowner because it blew up; Whether it blew up because you never had the gas elements cleaned or it blew up just because it happens, it's your responsibility. You either should have been prepared or its your own fault for it, noone elses.
I am a PowerPoster over there, and it's better, and supports the author.
http://www.lulu.com/content/295223 for the e-book
http://www.lulu.com/content/289526 for the paperback
No, I'm not the author. :)