Archive for September, 2011

HIGH RISK CREDIT CARD PROCESSING

The utilization of credit cards in facilitating the mode of payments for almost all transactions is prevalent anywhere else in the world. This has become so because of the ease and safety that credit cards afford the owner compared to using direct cash. More so with the advent of online transactions in the internet, credit card payments as well as many other electronic ways of payments has become rather compulsory. Credit cards however are the most utilized mode of payment since it is more convenient than any other online payment mode. It somehow brings professionalism and legitimacy to the business as it carries out transactions online. However, high risk credit card processing poses some dilemma to the tradesman in carrying out his transactions online. Due to the perils that a credit card which is not physically presented for payment entails coupled with the uncertainty of the internet’s environment, most domestic providers are reluctant to provide these services to high risk businesses.

What is a high credit card processing?

Business considered high-risk have usually a hard time finding a provider who will give a merchant account that will provide the necessary services for High risk processing which is required for such types of entities. Most, if not all, domestic providers are reluctant to provide the necessary service due in fact to the large sales volume which could mean higher probability of being subjected to fraud, higher customer charge back issues and other highly-risky attributes that could be linked with such kind of high risk merchants.

The abomination that domestic providers have to assist high risk credit card processing stem from the fact that by the very nature of the business, it would put their own business at great risk. Unlike in the ordinary world, high sales in online business produce just the exact opposite in service providers. It makes them think that your business is in great danger of scams, schemes and other highly risky illegal rackets that could put down their business if not stopped in time.

Alternative

Despite the reluctance of most domestic service providers to cater to high risk credit card processing, high-risk businesses should not lose hope for they can still obtain such service from myriad of offshore and international merchant providers. These providers are much more willing to provide the service and take on the risks attached to such venture. They follow their own standards and if they find that a particular high-risk entity meets the requirements, they readily accept the application without much hassle. Of course, by the very nature of these accounts, they also charge exorbitant fees which may worth the while later on considering the kind of services they offer.

Benefits

The benefits that entities who are regarded as high-risk obtains from high credit card processing is that they will be able to enjoy the services that these providers offer, which is really mandatory for online transactions. Furthermore, since no domestic providers are willing to provide such type of accounts for them, acquiring a high risk credit card processing account enables the entity to go continue with their usual online business transactions without any problem and receiving payments of customers from all over the world without any hitch.

What is an offshore Merchant Account?

Most domestic payment service providers would hesitate in issuing a merchant account to a global business which is considered highly risky by merchant providers. Thus, opting for an Offshore Merchant Account is the best option for these establishments. What is an offshore merchant account really? How does it differ from high volume merchant account and other merchant account?

An offshore merchant account is just like any merchant account that you obtain to enable your business to accept payments from credit and debit cards. However, these merchant providers are located in a foreign country, outside of your home base. Furthermore, an offshore merchant account allows you to accept credit or debit card payments from all over the world. It gives the payee to choose his currency of choice since a selection of accepted currencies are provided in the virtual terminal. Payees are therefore given the option to pay at the currency he opts for equivalent to the present currency of your home base. Thus, if you are an American company opting for a Panamanian Offshore Merchant Account, the currency used by the payee would be equivalent to the current US dollar exchange rate.

To obtain the maximum benefit of securing an offshore merchant account, it is highly recommended that you only acquire the best provider for it. To be able to do that, there is a need to conduct an intensive research in the market to find the one that gives you the most benefits and services, without going beyond reasonableness in terms of charges and fees.

Features of an Offshore Merchant Account

If your business is operating globally, you would want to transact business with an offshore merchant provider who can meet your needs without burdening you with exorbitant charges and rates. Since payment efficiency is essential to the success of your high-volume intercontinental business, it is therefore a must to look for an Offshore Merchant Account provider from a foreign country who can give you the best services and more.

By their very nature, owners of an offshore merchant account are usually charged with a large fee for the kind of service they provide. However, most of these accounts offer your business protection for your general assets, your tax liability is minimized and you will be afforded simple operation in the conduct of transactions.

Charges and Fees

The cost of an offshore merchant account usually includes the transaction fee, monthly minimum fees, charge back fee installation and fee discount rate. A transaction fee is the absolute fee charge for each transaction. When the original transaction fee and discount rate as set forth in the application for such an account is not complied with, a monthly minimum fee is charge on the account. Sometimes, a reserve fee is also levied on the account. This is usually brought about if the credit history of the merchant does not warrant. This is usually taken on to protect merchant providers from any future deficits. Discount rate on the other hand is usually computed on the proportion of each individual transaction that is shelled out to the payment service provider.