eCrime Researchers Summit Scheduled for November

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The Anti-Phishing Working Group and the National Center for Forensic Science have scheduled an “eCrime Researchers Summit” in Orlando on November 16th and 17th. During the two-day conference on Nov. 16 and 17, leading researchers from around the world will converge on Orlando to present their findings on: phishing, the criminal art of stealing consumers’ online credentials; techniques for detecting and visualizing Internet servers that have been commandeered by criminals; automated systems for investigating online scams; and digital forensics tools. The Anti-Phishing Working Group (APWG) is an industry association focused on eliminating the identity theft and fraud that result from the growing problem of phishing, email spoofing and crimeware. The National Center for Forensic Science provides research, education, training, tools and technology to meet the current and future needs of the forensic science, investigative and criminal justice communities.

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TD AA VISA

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TD Canada Trust has partnered with American Airlines to offer the “TD/AAdvantage Platinum VISA.” The new card offers cardholders 10,000 bonus “AAdvantage” miles the first time that they use the card. The card will also allow cardholders to earn one “AAdvantage” mile on every $1 in purchases charged to their card, and double miles on all purchases made with American Airlines and charged to the card. Every year at renewal, cardholders receive a bonus of 2,500 “AAdvantage” miles which ensures that their miles never expire. Miles are redeemable through the “AAdvantage Program” towards flights on American Airlines members of the “oneworld” alliance and “AAdvantage” participant airlines, a network of 21 airlines.

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Asset Acceptance Collections Hit a New High

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MI-based debt collection specialist, Asset Acceptance Capital, posted cash collections of $80.9 million in the third quarter, the highest quarterly collections in the history of the Company, versus cash collections of $78.2 million in the same period of 2005. Revenues declined 7.6% to $59.2 million for the third quarter and net income dropped to $10.7 million, compared with a net income of $13.7 million for 3Q/05. During the third quarter, Asset Acceptance invested $27.6 million to purchase consumer debt portfolios with a face value of $779.5 million, representing a blended rate of 3.54% of face value. For complete details on Asset Acceptance Capital’s third quarter results, visit CardData ([www.carddata.com][1]).

[1]: http://www.carddata.com

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Gemalto to Double its Singapore Operations

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Smart card specialist, Gemalto, is expanding its operations in Singapore over the next five years, to more than double its overall production capacity. The expansion program, to be rolled out in phases over the next five years, will more than double its overall production capacity. Located at Ayer Rajah Crescent, Gemalto’s Singapore facilities include smart card manufacturing, R & D and Sales and Marketing for the region. Gemalto has the largest R & D team in the industry, with over 1,500 R & D engineers globally, and a dedicated team in Singapore since 1997. Gemalto (Euronext NL 0000400653 GTO) is a leader in digital security with pro forma 2005 annual revenues of EUR1,7 billion ($2.2 billion), operations in 120 countries and 11,000 employees including 1,500 R&D engineers.

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Coalition Against Child Pornography Expands

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Chase Paymentech Solutions, Global Payments, HSBC and Washington Mutual have joined the Financial Coalition Against Child Pornography. Chase Paymentech Solutions, LLC, headquartered in Dallas, Texas, is the world’s largest merchant acquirer accepting payments via traditional point of sale, hospitality, Internet, retail, catalogue and recurring billing. Global Payments Inc. (NYSE: GPN) is a leading provider of electronic transaction processing services for consumers, merchants, Independent Sales Organizations (ISOs), financial institutions, government agencies, multi-national corporations and gaming establishments located throughout the United States, Canada, Latin America, Europe and the Asia-Pacific Region. HSBC — North America comprises all of HSBC’s U.S. and Canadian businesses, including the former Household International businesses. Washington Mutual, through its subsidiaries, is one of the nation’s leading consumer and small business banks.

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MasterCard Debuts Another Manning TV Spot

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MasterCard Worldwide unveiled a new television spot starring Indianapolis Colts’ quarterback Peyton Manning. The 30-second “Priceless” ad will debut on November 5th on NBC. Entitled “Die-Hard Peyton,” the ad again features Manning in a role-reversal, playing a “fan of the fans,” cheering for everyday workers the same way they support him when he plays – even when he might not be at the top of his game. Creative for MasterCard’s “Priceless” campaign is handled by McCann-Erickson/New York.

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Multi-Lane Sales Clip Hypercom’s Q3 Revenue

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Hypercom posted a 15% decline in revenue for the third quarter due to a drop in multi-lane product revenue which is now being transitioned into an indirect sales model. The terminal maker also posted a gross profit for the third quarter of $18.9 million, compared to $25.5 million for 3Q/05. Revenue for the third quarter was $56.7 million, compared to $66.5 million of revenue in the same quarter of 2005. During the quarter, Hypercom inked a deal with Total Merchant Services to purchase 20,000 of “Optimum T4100” terminals and United Bank Card “Class A” certified the “Optimum T4100.” One of the largest retailers in Europe, El Corte Ingles, with 300 department stores, hypermarkets, supermarkets, and smaller convenience stores, selected Hypercom as its preferred provider of card payment PIN entry devices including the “Optimum P2100” PIN pad. Additionally, Aon Warranty Group signed a multi-year agreement to provide extended warranty services for select Hypercom payment terminals, enabling Hypercom customers to extend their warranty coverage to five years. Hypercom also noted that the “Optimum T4100” became the first card payment terminal to gain certification under MasterCard Worldwide’s new “Payment Terminal Security Program” for IP-based transactions. The Company expects fourth quarter revenue to be in the low-to-mid $60 million range. For complete details on Hypercom’s third quarter results, visit CardData ([www.carddata.com][1]).

HYPERCOM REVENUE HISTORICAL
3Q/04: $62.8 million
4Q/04: $74.6 million
1Q/05: $50.6 million
2Q/05: $60.2 million
3Q/05: $66.5 million
4Q/05: $68.1 million
1Q/06: $61.0 million
2Q/06: $66.1 million
3Q/06: $56.7 million
Source: CardData (www.carddata.com)

[1]: http://www.carddata.com

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Simon Malls and VISA Launch a Giftcard Sweepstakes

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Simon Malls and VISA will launch a $500,000 giveaway on Friday, November 24th offering shoppers a chance to win a $500 “Simon VISA Giftcard” every hour during the day-long sweepstakes. NO PURCHASE OR OBLIGATION NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. Official rules for the sweepstakes, including how to enter the sweepstakes without purchase, are available at Simon Guest Services at each participating Simon Mall. Void where prohibited by law. Simon Property Group, Inc., an S&P 500 company headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana, is a real estate investment trust engaged in the ownership, development and management of retail real estate, primarily regional malls, Premium Outlet Centers(R) and community/lifestyle centers.

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AmEx Rolls-Out a Free Cash Card for Business

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American Express has rolled-out the “SimplyCash Business Card.” The new card offers cash back on virtually all purchases and automatically delivers the rewards each month as a statement credit. All cardholders automatically receive 5% cash back each month on gas, office supplies, and wireless charges, and 1% cash back on nearly all other purchases. There are no spending limits or caps on the cash-back rewards a business cardholders may receive, and the card carries no annual fee. The card also offers small business owners an introductory APR of 0% on purchases for the first 12 months. Additionally, the card offers small business owners additional savings through the “OPEN Savings” program.

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VISA USA Projects Holiday Sales to Rise 7.5%

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VISA USA estimates overall retail sales (excluding auto sales) for the 2006 holiday season will grow 7.5%, slightly lower than the growth rate of holiday sales in the previous two years. VISA its data show that personal entertainment, sporting goods and hobby stores, and specialty retailers or stores commonly found in a mall environment will do the best. VISA notes that “Cyber Monday,” or the Monday following Thanksgiving weekend, will continue to be a popular time for online purchases as consumers accommodate their busy schedules and avoid crowded shopping malls. VISA also expects big-box and general retail stores to experience moderate growth, but not at last year’s levels.

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Warburg Pincus Buys easycash from FDC Intl

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Private equity firm, Warburg Pincus, has signed a deal to acquire easycash, Germany’s top POS network service provider, from First Data International. When First Data acquired GZS Gesellschaft fur Zahlungssysteme in June, the Federal Cartel Office stipulated that GZS divest easycash to a third party as part of the merger control clearance. easycash offers customized card-based payment solutions and credit card routing to a broad range of merchant customers. easycash has more than 700 million transactions in 2005 with a total transaction volume of $55 billion through 165,000 active connected POS terminals.

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