Credit Cards

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March 22, 2004
There are a number of reasons why the Point-of-Sale (POS) device might be unable to read the magnetic stripe on a credit card. This problem could be due to:

• A damaged magnetic stripe on the card.
• A problem with the point-of-sale device reader.
• A counterfeit or altered card is being presented.

CAUTION - BE AWARE

When the POS device fails to read the magnetic stripe on the card, you should adhere to the following procedures. Failure to follow these procedures may result in financial loss to you.

1. Key the card number into the POS device to obtain an authorization
2. Take a manual imprint of the credit card. The imprint must include all of the following:
• An imprint of the credit card
• An imprint of the merchant imprinter plate (business name etc)
• Transaction Date
• Authorization number
• Dollar amount
• Details of the transaction
• Customer signature

*NOTE: Do not write "Void" or "Copy" of the face of the manual sales draft.

3. Print "PROOF COPY" on the signature line of the POS terminal receipt
4. Record the pre-printed reference number (as it appears on the manual sales draft) on the POS terminal receipt
5. Retain copies of both the manual sales draft and the POS transaction receipt. These copies are needed to fulfill any retrieval requests that are generated.