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November Networking Events in Rochester NY

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Sales Sense Payments is all about helping local business thrive, so I spend a lot of time networking and getting to know Rochester’s business owners and entrepreneurs. Unfortunately, there aren’t many great local networking event calendars or resources, so I often find myself spending quite a bit of time each month researching these opportunities online across dozens of different websites. I figure, why not make the most use of that time and share my list of events with you?  

Take a look below at my list of the 7 Best Rochester networking events this November. While I can’t attend every event I bookmark, give me a heads up so I can keep an eye out for you if we will both be in attendance!

1. Rochester West Business Networking Event from TipClub

From the organizers: Join us for our powerful business networking event that comes with a unique twist.  We use a structured format that allows for spotlight introductions followed by our famous “lightning round” so connections are made instantly! 

 

2. Rochester Chamber Networks After 5

From the organizers: Spend an evening under the stars without ever leaving the comfort of indoors when the DoubleTree by Hilton Rochester hosts Chamber Networks After 5. Mingle and make business contacts in DoubleTree’s newly renovated indoor garden and check out other updates recently done at one of the most unique hotels in the Rochester area.  Enjoy snacks and a cash bar in the stunning atmosphere.

 

3. RYP Professional Development: 6th Annual Entrepreneur’s Expo

From the organizers: Rochester’s youngest business owners will be the focus of Rochester Young Professionals’ 6th Annual Entrepreneur’s Expo, a networking and business event.

 

4. November vBeer with VMUG and Splunk

From the organizers: Join our monthly vBeer event at Roc Brewing Co. and Splunk. Socialize with other members and technologists from around Rochester. Tour the brewery and drink some great Rochester beers. Registration is not necessary and only used for head count. So come join us for a fun night out!

 

5. Rochester Women’s Network Orientation

From the organizers: Are you changing careers – new to the area – new to our network? A long-time member looking to reap more benefits from your RWN membership? Interested in learning more about what RWN has to offer? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you are cordially invited to join us for an Orientation and Recruitment meeting.  Learn more about RWN, one of the largest networking organizations of its kind.  Network with new people and begin to take full advantage of a networking organization with 250 members from 200 local businesses, including 100 women owned businesses!

 

6. Monthly Young Professionals Happy Hour at Blossom Road Pub (Hosted by AMA Rochester)

From the organizers: Enjoy some great food specials and meet fellow marketers to put answers into action and solve the biggest problems in the marketing industry. We discuss a new topic every month. This a recurring monthly event on the 4th Tuesday. $1 Off Appetizers – $1 Off Wine – $1 Off Drafts

 

7. Flow B2B Kick Off at The Galley Restaurant in Spencerport, NY

From the organizers:  Flow is a networking group focused on B2B businesses on the Erie Canalway. We want to connect and form alliances that result in the growth and advancement of our businesses, and to elevate tourism along the Erie Canalway and within our own communities. Join us for our first meeting as we make introductions and begin strategizing for prosperous 2017 tourism season! 

 

Want to get networking opportunities in your inbox? Sign Up!

 

Have an event you would like to see featured for next month?

Please send the following information to Mike Krause at mike@salessensepayments.com for consideration:

  • Event Name:
  • Brief paragraph about the event:
  • Event Time/Date:
  • Event Address:
  • Event Fees: We prefer to feature free or low-cost events that are open to the general public
  • Event Info/Registration Link:

About Sales Sense Payments

Sales Sense Payments can help save your business thousands of dollars a year in merchant processing fees. We also offer complete point-of-sale (POS) solutions and EMV-compliant credit card machines in addition to platforms for customer loyalty programs. If you process credit card transactions for customers, we can save you money.  Sales Sense Payments is a Rochester-based business, deeply supportive of the success of our local businesses.  Let’s talk!

Best Practices in Preventing Credit Card Fraud, Part 2

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Best Practices in Preventing Credit Card Fraud, Part 2

In Part 1, we covered several ways of making sure you are using a reputable merchant services processor for credit and debit transactions.  Now let’s talk about how to safeguard your business from fraud once you begin processing electronic payment transactions.

 Your business is vulnerable during transactions from two sources: your employees and the consumer presenting the credit or debit card.

 Staff Fraud

Making sure that a consumer’s personal data is secure so employees cannot access this information is key. The majority of systems in use now do not show the entire credit card number but rather just the last four digits. This keeps the numbers from getting into the wrong hands.

Keep a close eye on returned transactions to be sure the canceled transaction has corresponding returned merchandise. Returns are a favorite method of internal fraud – the credit card gets the money put back on it but the goods are not returned.

Customer Fraud

You can’t judge a fraudulent customer by their appearance or demeanor. Larceny hits all social levels and even innocent looking elders can be thieves. Thieves are masters at finding your business’s vulnerabilities and exploiting them.

Card present transactions

Make sure your staff really pays attention when they process transactions and ask for additional identification if something seems off. Gut feelings are allowed.

·       Always check for a signature match to the card

·       Never accept unsigned credit or debit cards

·       Make sure the cardholder name matches the signer’s information

·       Make it a point to get to know regular customers by sight if not by name

·       Pay attention to the purchasing habits of your customers, particularly regulars

·       Emphasize the importance of checking information closely with your staff

·       Be on the lookout for distracted or nervous behavior

Card not present transactions (online, mail, phone)

·       Imprint the credit card whenever possible

·       Never hesitate to use the fraud prevention features of Address Verification Service (AVS) and Card Verification Code (CVC or CVV2)

·       For high monetary purchases, get a faxed signature or a copy of both sides of the credit card

·       Use the VERIFIED BY VISA program for extra security

·       Use delivery confirmation for shipments to protect against no delivery claims

·       Get authorization verification from the card issuer bank before delivering the purchase to the customer

For more information about preventing credit and debit card fraud and economical payment processing, contact Mike Krause at Sales Sense Payments, Inc., 585-704-6453, email: Mike@SalesSensePayments.com. Please visit SalesSensePayments.com.

 

 

Best Practices in Preventing Credit Card Fraud, Part 1

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Best Practices in Preventing Credit Card Fraud, Part 1

As a responsible merchant, the best way to protect your business and your customers is to be alert for credit card fraud at all times. Here are some of our recommended best practices to help you check your operations and keep thieves  away from your cash drawer.

Learn about the industry

The payment processing industry, like so many others, wraps itself in jargon and confusing terms. Get familiar with the basic concepts, players and terminology so the service providers you decide to use don’t intimidate you. Look for these red flags:

          Long term contracts – don’t get locked into a lengthy contract; the industry average is three years and you will find some processors (such as Sales Sense Payments) that never ask you to sign a contract.

·       Leasing equipment – most equipment leases are four year, non-cancellable leases. If you’re just starting out, see what other options (mobile devices, etc.) may be more cost-effective.

·       Unknowledgeable/unethical sales people – this is a complicated industry and if you sense you’re not getting the full story or the story changes from time to time, contact someone else. There’s never any harm in getting multiple quotes, you’ll learn something new from every one of them. Get referrals from fellow merchants in your area as to what processor they are using.

·       Unbelievable pricing – every credit card processor starts with the same basic pricing structure. Get acquainted with tiered and interchange plus pricing structures and do the math on any quotes you get to understand exactly how much you will be paying for the privilege of taking credit and debit cards.

·       Overpromising, under delivering – unless your business is doing millions, you probably do not need the latest and greatest (caveat: unless it saves you money up front and immediately as you start) technology. Don’t let the sales person dazzle you with whizz bang technology when all you need is something basic.

·       Support after the sale – how do you get the equipment? Who does the installation? Who do you call if you need help later? What type of customer support is available? Look for a reputable company that is still there for you after the sale.

·       Security standards – Any business or store that processes, transmits or stores consumers’ credit and debit payment data must be compliant with the payment industry’s security standard, known as PCI DSS (payment card industry data security standard). Understand these requirements and what you must do to adhere to them.

Next: Part 2, Preventing Credit Card Fraud During and After A Sale

For more information about preventing credit and debit card fraud and economical payment processing, contact Mike Krause at Sales Sense Payments, Inc., 585-704-6453, email: Mike@SalesSensePayments.com. Please visit SalesSensePayments.com.

What’s with this crazy chip in my credit card?

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What is EMV?

EMV (Europay, MasterCard, and Visa) cards contain a chip in them, in addition to the traditional magnetic strip, that is used to transmit data. Unlike standard magnetic strip, EMV cards create a unique transaction code every time they are used. Each code can only be used once, making fraud more difficult and less likely to occur.

EMV:

·        EMV  has been around since 1992

·        Create universal standards

·        United States is one of the last to adopt the card technology

·        Makes traveling and doing business overseas easier

Increased Security:

·        United States eported $16 billion in credit card fraud in 2015

·        EMV can help protect both consumers and businesses

·        Fraud losses for brick and mortar retailers dropped 60% in the UK after adopting EMV technology

How to Process EMV Transactions:

·        EMV is a card-present technology that can be processed by contactless, PIN or signature.

Financial Responsibilities:

·        October 2015 when a fraudulent transaction occurs, whichever party (Merchant/Processor/Card Issuer) is the cause of the contact chip transaction not occurring will be held financially liable for any resulting card present counterfeit losses.

How to protect you and your business:

·        Make sure that you have an EMV compliant terminal, if not you will be held liable for losses.

Contact us for a quick review and protect your business today!

 

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