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credit card security

Keeping You & Your Customers Protected – Part 4

July 30, 2010   in   MSS news

Keeping You & Your Customers Protected

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. 

    1. Only write down and save credit card numbers with current expiration dates.
    2. 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.
    3. 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.
    4. 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.

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Keeping You & Your Customers Protected – Part 3

June 24, 2010   in   MSS news

Credit Card SecurityIn talking with ProPay®, we have learned they have a service available called ProtectPay™. ProtectPay allows users to store credit cards within ProPay’s system, for a fee, and then submit charges when applicable. Because the information is not being stored on the merchant’s computer, the merchant does not have to be PCI or PA-DSS compliant. Instead, ProPay is and their systems ensure the security required by the credit card industry. However, ProtectPay as it is available now is not what ProPay recommends for the Mary Kay community.

ProPay tells us that phase 1 of their Virtual Terminal ProtectPay is expected to be released mid-July. The Virtual Terminal ProtectPay service is designed for micro merchants – AKA Mary Kay Consultants and Directors. Phase 1 will allow users to save the cards in ProPay’s system, creating a unique identifier for each card, and charge them for subsequent orders similarly to the regular ProtectPay. During a later phase, Virtual Terminal will allow for the user’s Boulevard to integrate and process against stored card identifiers.

Main Street Software empathizes with each of you in this transition period. We, too, have had to make changes in our own Mary Kay businesses to store card information for customers who have requested this. Our company has a history of making sure we do what it takes to do the right thing, to not step on any toes, and, above all, not break any rules just for convenience sake. Main Street Software will continue to communicate with you regarding every development.

Thank you for your understanding and stay tuned for updates as they occur.

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Keeping You & Your Customers Protected – Part 2

May 14, 2010   in   MSS news

When we become accustomed to performing a task in a certain way that is both convenient and timesaving, it can be difficult to give it up. Main Street Software, Inc. knows you would prefer to continue to process credit card charges from your Boulevard software. We know how convenient it is for you and your customer to keep their payment information on file. However, each of us also knows how often information is stolen and how insecure the Internet can be. Security is of utmost importance and we are confident you want us to look after your best interests.

Therefore, come July 1, 2010, no matter what version of Boulevard software you are using, you will no longer be able to submit credit card transactions directly to ProPay.

ProPay is being required to change the way it allows any company to submit transactions to them directly. Propay is seeking to find another way to have interaction between Boulevard and them that will meet the industry requirements.

As new information becomes available, we will be sure to post the information here on our blog, via email, or as a NewsFlash message. When you upgrade to Boulevard 2011, all credit card information previously in the program will no longer be stored. Prior to installation, we recommend one of the following to keep track of preferred payment methods for your customers.

Option 1 – Pop Up Message:


For all customers who choose to pay by credit card,

  1. Open the customer profile.
  2. Click on the Notes tab.
  3. Type a note. (E.g. Prefers to pay by Credit Card or Credit Card)
  4. Highlight your note using your mouse.
  5. Click F8 on your keyboard.
  6. Click OK to save the note.

You can use the same steps for customers who prefer to pay by check, cash, or who you allow to carry a balance and make payments. This option is flexible to meet your needs.

Option 2 – User Codes:


If you would like to be able to pull reports based upon payment preferences,

  1. Open the customer profile.
  2. Click on the Recruiting tab.
  3. Select one of the available User Code fields. You will use the same field for each whom you are designating a preferred payment method.
  4. Type your note. (E.g. Credit Card or Cash)
  5. Click OK to save.

Now you’ll be able to retrieve a report based upon the information you have entered into the field.

The next time you talk to your customer, just let him or her know their financial security is important to you and you can no longer store their credit card number on your computer. For sample words to use when informing your customers, please visit Keeping You & Your Customers Protected – Part 1.

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Keeping You & Your Customers Protected – Part 1

April 27, 2010   in   MSS news

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.

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