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Thieves Target Terminals

As technology improves so does the sophistication level of thieves. The latest scheme in credit card fraud begins with the outright theft of a checkout terminal. This scam requires several members.

The setup is simple, the thieves distract employees or choose a time when things in the store are hectic and switch the terminal.  The switch is accomplished while the clerk is distracted by a very large item such as a jumbo package of paper towels that is brought to the check-out counter, which hides the terminal from view long enough for the exchange.

The switch can occur at closing time. The thief tries to be the last customer through the check-out, and uses cash so that the fake terminal does not give itself away. The next morning another member of the ring is first through that check-out aisle, putting back the original terminal – augmented by Bluetooth short distance wireless hardware.

Next, account numbers and associated PINs are downloaded from the terminal to a computer that is most likely in a car near the store. The thieves may sit there for days or weeks downloading information. By the time customers or banks notice the anomalies the thieves are done with those cards and are busy stealing new account numbers and PINs.

Retailers can take several steps to reduce the chances of their terminals being stolen.

• Terminals should be: treated as cash, locked up nightly or bolted in place, kept out of reach until a customer needs to use it.
• Keep terminals in a drawer or hidden away when not in use.
• Never leave the device unattended.
• Each machine’s serial number should be checked after the store closes at night and before it opens in the morning; if at all possible at the beginning and end of each shift.
• If any of the security stickers on the terminal appear to have been tampered with, retailers need to report the incident to their processor.

PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT

InstaMed/PaymentCare – Just what the Doctor Ordered

Healthcare spending is estimated to grow at an average annual rate of 6.9% until 2016. As the cost of healthcare rises, individuals are taking on more responsibility for their healthcare costs. Hospitals currently collect only about a quarter of self-pay dollars. Today’s healthcare professionals are faced with the challenge of meeting healthcare needs and maintaining financial stability, which is vital to delivering good patient care. InstaMed/PaymentCare delivers solutions to meet that challenge.

With InstaMed/PaymentCare, no longer will patients have to worry that they will receive a notice that their claim was rejected and no longer will healthcare Providers have to attempt to collect fees after services were provided. InstaMed/PaymentCare’s instant verification process helps decrease paperwork, reduces the number of rejected claims and slow-to-no payments, improves convenience, ensures compliance with all healthcare and payment regulations and funds are received in 24 – 48 hours.

Because medical care can be costly, patients need flexible payment options. InstaMed/PaymentCare offers a variety of unique payment solutions.

• Payment Plans – Patients can be set up on recurring, installment or save-on-file payment plans. This feature also allows the patient to receive emailed reminders that a payment is due.
• Patient Payments – Allows providers to accept payment of Credit and Debit cards, Checks and Cash.
• On-Line Payments – Patients can pay securely on-line with debit and credit cards as well as eChecks.
• Patient Payment Estimator – Eliminate surprises with InstaMed/PaymentCare’s estimator. Inform patients of the cost of their next visit.
• Electronic Gift & Prepaid Service Card (EGC) – Cards can be used for procedures such as physical therapy, plastic surgery, teeth whitening or laser eye correction. Cards can also be used as pre-paid cards for services such as chiropractic care or weight loss program meals.
• Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC) – Practices that treat international patients or part-time residents can benefit from the DCC. The DCC allows international cardholders to pay for services in their home currency. Conversion is managed at the point of sale allowing patients to immediately see the cost of service.

InstaMed – Healthcare Payments Simplified

TECH TIP

Verifone Vx570

Fast, Versatile and Powerful. If you already have broadband service such as DSL or cable, you can immediately begin processing payments over a lightning-fast, always on connection. Or you can process using the dial-up capability, then upgrade to Ethernet when you're ready without purchasing a new terminal.

Download a PDF fact sheet on the Verifone Vx 570