Cut the Confusion – and the Cost – of Card Processing with AASPMN Bankcard Service
Credit card processing shouldn’t be complicated, expensive or full of surprises. That’s why the AASPMN Bankcard Service was designed exclusively for members – offering honest pricing, dependable support and a low overall cost, not just a low rate.
Members receive:
• Online access to reports and transaction details
• Clear, easy-to-read monthly statements
• Set-up, terminal reprogramming and ongoing support
And unlike many processors, there are no fees for:
• Applications or setup
• Minimum processing
• Annual or inactivity charges
• Terminal batch fees
All major cards – Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express – are combined into one simple deposit, typically within one-to-two banking days. Plus, discount fees are deducted monthly, making bookkeeping easier.
Optional services include: a 24/7 toll-free help line available every day of the year, electronic check conversion, check verification or guarantee and electronic gift cards – giving your shop more flexibility at the counter.
Before choosing a processor, compare more than just the rate. AASPMN members can request a free, side-by-side comparison to see how much they could save by contacting Carley Phillips at (715) 254-2865 or carleyp@midwesthardware.com or Tracy Williams at (715) 254-2862 or tracyw@midwesthardware.com.
Please enjoy the following article provided to you by the AASPMN Bankcard Service:
Credit Card Processing Scams and Fraud
Scam calls are common and not preventable and it’s important to know what is legit and what is not. Below you will find some helpful information for preventing payment fraud and protecting your business.
Processors will never call the merchant directly unless they request a callback or the merchant gives them permission. Chargebacks and other important info are communicated by email or snail mail. If your processor needs information or has concerns, the merchant will receive a call from MHA (Tracy Williams or Carley Phillips).
Scam callers often pretend to be your processor or account manager. They may provide generic information, offering just enough to gain their trust. Though they may state they know what you are paying or claim to have specific account information, this is only a con they use to convince you to send them statements or account information. Many times, these are from unreputable processors trying to make a sale.
Watch out for these red flags from external processors:
• Termination fees based on estimated processing amounts and months left in your contract instead of a flat rate.
• Aggressive sales tactics include repeated calls and messages stating that you must sign up now for the lowest rates.
• Promises of free hardware or no upfront fees for leasing without explanations about the equipment brand or retail cost.
• Requests for confidential financial information or upfront payments before the payment processor has provided services.
• A lack of professional communication and review channels, such as business email addresses, websites, phone numbers and verified customer review pages.
Your business should watch for the most common types of transactional fraud.
• Chargeback fraud: First-party or “friendly” fraud occurs when a customer disputes a legitimate purchase, asserting they didn’t authorize the payment or receive the product or service.
• Card-not-present fraud: This scheme is common with online and phone orders when the payment card isn’t physically present. Fraudsters may collect cardholder information through phishing scams or data breaches.
• Credit card theft: Thieves steal credit cards from the mail or use counterfeit cards to deceive merchants and make in-person or online purchases.
• Triangulation schemes: A seller on a third-party marketplace offers a low-priced item. After a buyer purchases it, the seller (a scammer) uses a different stolen card to order and ship the item from a reputable merchant to the original buyer.
• Business imposters: These scammers claim to be affiliated with well-known companies to defraud consumers. According to the FTC, reported losses to business imposters climbed to $752 million in 2023.
• Account takeover fraud: In this case, the criminal calls the credit card company, pretends to be the account owner, and acquires credentials to complete online transactions.
• Refund fraud: This type of employee theft occurs when a worker processes a refund from a payment or POS terminal and pockets a cash refund or shares the credit reimbursement with the customer.
Key Fraud Prevention Strategies for Merchants:
• In-Person (Card-Present) Fraud: Use EMV chip-enabled readers rather than magnetic stripes to prevent liability for counterfeit cards.
How to Prevent Card-Not-Present Fraud:
• Address Verification Service (AVS): Matches the billing address to the cardholder’s address.
• Card Verification Value (CVV/CSC): Ensures the buyer has the physical card.
• 3D Secure 2.0 (3DS): Adds a layer of authentication (e.g., biometrics), often shifting liability to the card issuer.
• Transaction Monitoring and Rules: Utilize payment gateway tools to flag high-risk activity, such as multiple declines, mismatches between IP address and shipping location and large, expedited orders.
• Employee Education: Train staff to identify red flags, including customers acting nervous, using multiple cards, or refusing to show ID for large, in-store purchases.
• Data Security: Ensure PCI compliance to protect customer data
Customer Service Available 24/7
Elavon (800) 725-1243
WorldPay (800) 846-4472
Fiserv (866) 597-5721
AASPMN Bankcard Service offers straightforward card processing at an affordable price for members.
Want more? Check out the July 2026 issue of AASP-MN News!