One of the payment methods you can explore handling when using a credit card processing system entails prepaid credit cards. These are cards people can purchase and utilize for various traditional transactions while online and in-person.
A prepaid card is one that a credit card brand produces through the support of a sponsor bank. It produces the card and makes it available for people to use for various online transactions. It may look like a traditional credit or debit card, as it can have a traditional card number and other features. It could also be inserted into a chip-reading device or swiped like a magstripe card. Users can even withdraw funds from one of these cards at an ATM, although that transaction would be subject to an additional fee from the card provider.
Your credit card processing system can accept these gift cards, but you should know about how these work. An online merchant services provider can ensure you don’t spend more than necessary for processing payments people make with these distinct cards.
How This Card Works
You can find a prepaid credit card at a local convenience store or another place that sells gift cards. The prepaid card may look similar to a traditional credit card.
A customer can pay for the card and register it online. The customer can then use that card to make traditional purchases from various retailers.
You can collect payments from one of these cards by accepting it the same way you would with any other credit card. For online credit card processing, the customer will enter in the card data and one’s accompanying information. You can use a review system to confirm that the address the customer uses is consistent with the card’s registered address.
The customer can reload money onto that card as one wishes. But some companies may charge fees for things like monthly use, inactivity, balance inquiries, extra charges when withdrawing funds from an ATM, and many other expenses that might develop.
Can This Be a Risky Card?
You might be worried that these prepaid cards will be more expensive for you to process. But in most situations, these cards will cost the same amount to process than any other traditional credit card.
A customer would have to register a card before paying for items with it. The customer might have to submit one’s full name, address, date of birth, email address, phone number, and an identifying number like a Social Security Number. These details allow the card company to trace the transaction back to a person who uses the new card.
Many card companies also have limits on what people can do with these prepaid cards. Some companies will not let people pay for certain products with these cards, including for alcohol, tobacco, gambling-related activities, and many other points.
You can check the rules that whatever credit card processing team you hire hold when getting these payments ready. You should pay the same rate as with a traditional card, but your merchant services provider might also have differing terms for whatever might work at a time.
Should You Accept These Cards?
It always helps to accept as many payment options as possible. Prepaid credit cards are among the most useful ones you can accept, especially since card companies are putting in strong efforts to see people can use them well.
These cards are likely to be used as gifts for people, or they can be used by those who cannot afford a traditional credit card. Some of these prepaid cards are given to young adults who are learning about how to use credit cards and how they can pay for items with them. These young adults can also use those cards to learn about interest, card fees, and other charges that may come with those cards.
Online merchant services can help you with prepaid cards as an option for collecting payments, but these cards work best when you have a sensible plan for what you can handle. Be sure you watch what you are doing when accepting these cards, and only stick with whatever you feel the most comfortable.