With huge influx of new payment solutions into the industry, both opportunities and challenges for merchant acquirers have reached a new level. There is paradigm shift from conventional services, such as accepting mag-stripe debit/credit cards, and mail and telephone orders, to new acceptance channels as a result of e-commerce/m-commerce, contactless technology, mPOS and omni-retailing.
Microsoft-owned Skype users will now have to option to top up their accounts at more than 50,000 Western Union Agent U.S. locations. Western Union’s new Skype Credit is aiming for the banked, under-banked or un-banked.
With the average cost of a data breach at $136 per record, and the cost of non-compliance with PCI being on average, more than 2.5 times greater than compliance, brands and call centers are more focused than ever on becoming PCI compliant.
Chase Card Services and Marriott Rewards announced the launch of the Marriott Rewards Premier Visa Signature® Business Credit Card designed for small business owners who travel frequently for business or pleasure. With the Marriott Rewards Premier Business Credit Card, small business owners have the ability to earn accelerated Marriott Reward points on all purchases, accumulate free night stays, and receive automatic Silver Elite Status once they become a cardholder. The card also offers EMV chip-and-signature technology, charges no foreign transaction fees and comes with a variety of travel and business benefits. With the Marriott Rewards Premier Business Credit Card, small business owners have the ability to earn Marriott Rewards points at an accelerated rate. Cardholders will earn thousands of points for different increments spent on the card. The card also comes with travel insurance benefits, including trip cancellation, trip delay, lost luggage, baggage delay and auto collision damage waiver. Additional benefits include purchase protection insurance, including purchase security and extended warranty.
mopay, a global leader in innovative payment solutions for online merchants, announced today that it has been reconfirmed as preferred payment partner for Gameforge, one of the leading providers of high-quality online games. mopay has received top scores in Gameforge’s evaluation of mobile payment providers and will thus continue to process a significant proportion of Gameforge’s global mobile payment transactions. mopay provides direct carrier, landline and broadband billing options for online merchants in more than 80 countries through its industry-leading payments platform. Implemented in Gameforge’s offers, mopay enables players to easily, quickly and securely make in-game purchases, allowing them to buy virtual goods in its AAA game portfolio.
Transaction Network Services (TNS) added to its “TNSVerify” product suite a solution to help reduce risk and fraud in the US payments and financial services industries. Professionals managing fraud, risk, and compliance challenges for brick-and-mortar and online companies, can benefit from unique telecommunication data insight and capabilities in a single solution thanks to TNSVerify. TNS has partnered with leading mobile and landline telecommunications providers who together, recognize the inherent problems and risks associated with establishing identity in response to the defective grey market phone subscription data currently serving the identity verification market. The “TNSVerify” solution boasts the highest security levels. TNS can reference accurate and current information through its extensive relationships with over 1,100 telecommunications companies, including many of the US’ largest mobile, VoIP, cable and landline telephone service providers.
Citi Simplicity is the only card to never charge late fees, a penalty rate, and an annual fee, ever (www.citi.com/simplicity). First introduced in July 2011, Citi Simplicity is a credit card that recognizes managing your credit card can – and should – be simpler and easier. Designed directly based on feedback from Citi cardmembers, Citi Simplicity features a Single Rate for All Borrowing and Spending for all purchases, cash advances and balance transfers, after any introductory or promotional period. Cardmembers can quickly and easily reach a customer service professional and customize their payment due date and set e-mail and text alerts based on their preferences and needs. Credit card late payment fees typically start at $15 and can be as high as $35 per missed payment. More than one-third estimate they are charged up to $25 dollars annually for late payment fees by a biller, one in five estimate they are charged $26 to $50.
Western Union global payment services from its Payments Money Mindset Index showed a growing consumer preference for online and mobile bill payments continues to grow as 39% of consumers will pay more bills online in 2013, and 12 percent intending to pay more bills by mobile phone. Meanwhile, 14% will make an urgent payment via their mobile device in the next six months and 25% will send fewer checks in the mail to pay their bills. Additional Western Union findings show 46.5% of bills are paid via a biller, bank or credit union website; 20.2% paid via mail; 19.6% are paid via an automatic deduction or recurring payment; 8.7% are paid in-person; 3% are paid via a landline phone and 2% are paid via mobile phone.
mopay announced its mobile loyalty management suite, which includes customer relationship management, loyalty and gamification tools and now allows mopay clients to add an opt-in feature that enables consumers to sign up for a mobile loyalty program. Online merchants can now immediately communicate with users to enhance customer relationship management, build loyalty and improve customer satisfaction. This gives online merchants a way to bill users who do not have a credit card or do not want to use their credit card in an online environment while giving consumers a convenient, secure and fast way to pay for goods.
Ink from Chase Card Services launched its enhanced rewards program for the Ink Plus credit card, allowing cardholders to accumulate customized points quicker for their small business, featuring five points per dollar spent at office supply stores and on cellular phone, landline, Internet and cable TV services; two points per dollar spent at gas stations and hotels, and one point on all other spending. The “Ink Plus” program lets cardholders earn five points per dollar on the first $50,000 in annual spend at office supply stores and on cellular phone, landline, Internet and cable TV services and two points per dollar on the first $50,000 in annual spend at gas stations and on hotel accommodations when purchased directly with the hotel. Also, Ink cardholders can earn one point per dollar on all other card purchases, with no limits. Given points don’t expire, they enjoy a 1:1 points transfer to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs and 20% off airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises when they redeem for travel through the ‘Ultimate Rewards’ rewards program.
NagraID Security and NagraID, subsidiaries of the Kudelski Group will showcase the world’s most advanced smartcard technology at Digital ID World and Cards & Payments Asia 2012 (booth #4G09), Suntec Singapore. The display card provides users a convenient all-in-one solution for Citizen ID’s, Secure ID’s like Corporate ID’s, e-Online loyalty cards, and Banking use applications.…
PayOne is what’s formally called PaymentOne, as announced as part of a rebranding of the company that invented “no credit card required” carrier billing for digital commerce more than twelve years ago. PaymentOne becomes PayOne with a new look, a new website and the launch of a new simplified One-Click mobile payments platform designed for the future of global commerce in support of a 360 degree mobile lifestyle. PayOne simplifies mobile payments across all platforms and devices, allowing mobile consumers to securely pay with PayOne’s One-Click checkout and apply charges directly to their monthly mobile bill. PayOne is connected with over 1,000 carriers globally and leverages its deep integrations and patented mobile payment and authentication technology to provide the simplest and most secure mobile payment methods available.