Last time we sent you an update, we were expecting ProPay® to launch their new service to the Mary Kay® community in the month of July. Here is the latest….
ProPay did release their Virtual Terminal ProtectPay system the first week of Seminar. This service allows you to enter and save credit card information through ProPay. Since ProPay meets the standards required by the credit card companies, you are assured your customer credit card information is safe and protected.
As reported in the Banking Business Review,
The sensitive cardholder data never resides [on the user’s computer]. The merchant receives a unique identifier that can be used for reporting purposes or repeat transactions, claims ProPay.
Of course the next most important piece of information you want to know is when will this work with Boulevard. In talking with a Vice President at ProPay, they were unable to provide to us an estimated date when Virtual Terminal ProtectPay will be ready for integration with other software programs. Rest assured – we will remain in contact and plan on working with them at such a time as their systems are ready.
As a reminder, the safest storage method for credit card data until you sign up for Virtual Terminal ProtectPay is on paper in a locking drawer or cabinet. The chances of your home being broken into as opposed to your computer compromised are much lower. When the credit card was stored in the credit card field in Boulevard, the card number was encrypted within the data file. Even encrypted we were told the data was no longer considered safe enough.
If you enter the full card number into any area of the program, it will not be encrypted. If you’re syncing with a handheld device, you may now be carrying complete credit card numbers with you. In order to minimize your liability, we strongly suggest heeding the recommendations of the credit card industry and ProPay.
If you have not yet loaded your copy of Boulevard 2011, here are a few tips for retrieving the credit card information you have stored.
- Only write down and save credit card numbers with current expiration dates.
- Begin with your first customer in Boulevard. Click on the Add’l Info tab. Write down the card number and name for each customer with current information.
- Store all credit card numbers (even handwritten pink tickets) in a locking drawer or cabinet. You could also take the time to register for Virtual Terminal ProtectPay and record the information there.
- Take a backup of your Boulevard information then load 2011.
As promised, we are keeping you updated every step of the way and will continue to do so. As a company and as consultants, we are grateful to the credit card industry and ProPay for doing what it takes to protect us. Please know that Main Street Software staff is available to answer questions and assist you in whatever way we can. As we correspond with ProPay and obtain any updated information, we will continue to keep you informed.
