Security is an increasing concern with regard to identity and financial information. As a small business owner, you should be aware of some changes that will affect how you run your business. Effective July 1, 2010, changes will be in place that will affect how you process credit card transactions for your customers and the information you are allowed to store.
For detailed information, please visit the Cardholder Information Security Program section on Visa’s website.
For your convenience, please refer to the following chart to ensure you comply with VISA’s Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) requirements if you choose to continue to store credit card data for your customers.
As a software vendor, Main Street Software, Inc. was required to make modifications to comply with these new regulations, too. At this time, we are approaching the new security regulations in two steps. The first step was to ensure the latest version of the software, Boulevard 2011, met the standards and expectations for maintaining cardholder security.
With the installation of Boulevard 2011, existing users must agree to the terms of the End User License Agreement (EULA) which specify that cardholder data previously stored in the provided credit card field(s) in Boulevard will be wiped out as this feature is no longer offered.
- New users installing Boulevard 2011 will not have the credit card fields previously included in the software.
- Users will no longer be able to submit credit card transactions from Boulevard to ProPay™ (US & Canada feature only).
- Credit card numbers can no longer be entered as a payment method in Avenue and any credit card information entered into payment method in the Palm® application will be lost during synchronization.
These steps were taken for our users’ protection as well as ours. Boulevard users who choose not to upgrade to Boulevard 2011, who choose to store credit card data on their systems, or who choose to store that credit card data in other areas of Boulevard are solely responsible for any breach in security they may face. Main Street Software, Inc. is not liable for any fraud or security breach on its users’ systems.
Here is a sample of what some of our employees are telling their customers:
Dear Susie,
I want to let you know about some changes I have to make with regard to your account security. As you know, thousands of people every day deal with identity theft and credit card fraud. There are some new regulations that affect me as your consultant.
From this point forward, I am no longer able to keep your credit/debit card on file. I’m sure you can understand I want to comply with these laws and ensure your information is secure. I’ll note your account as preferring to pay by card and that way I can get the information each time you place an order.
Thanks for understanding!
Subsequent to the changes made to the Boulevard software for the 2011 version, Main Street Software, Inc. will continue to work with ProPay to find an appropriate future solution, if possible, to integrate payment submission. We want you to know that we are committed to a high-quality product that simplifies processes within your business. However, we are also committed to maintaining the integrity of Boulevard and complying with laws and regulations surrounding small business owners including security and fraud prevention.
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
This change in ccd ability really concerns me, us! Currently I keep all ccd info in Boulevard. We never process ccd purchases directly in MK because we need to figure different taxes, different discounts, adding free product, etc…
I’m sure Eric and staff will come up with a workable solution. Please make sure we can modify the original calculated charges before we actually charge someone’s card. Please insure we are able to process a credit to an account when the customer changes their mind after the sale…
Thanks, Vic and June. Hi Kelli !! Hi LuAnn!!
This credit card change concerned us as well! But as you know, Main Street Software is an industry leader and will always do what it takes to comply with current regulations and industry standards. Be sure to educate your customers as to why you can no longer store their information – they will understand it’s all about their security. Then, we suggest using a pop-up or the user code field to indicate a customer prefers to pay by credit card. That way each time they place an order, you know to ask them for their card instead of wondering how they’ll pay.
We will be working with ProPay to determine if there is another solution that offers the convenience we enjoyed previously with the security required in today’s market. Thanks for your comment and for understanding!
Customer Maxine Miller asked this, “Will we be able to call our credit card information into pro pay like we can now? & will it be processed thru the bank the same way?”
Specific questions about whether ProPay will still allow you to call in payments can be directed to their customer service department.