Store and forward (SAF) processing

Introduction to SAF

Requesting SAF

Performing a SAF purchase

Voiding a SAF purchase

Clearing SAF transactions

Conditions for SAF processing

Transactions not eligible for SAF processing

SAF report

Introduction to SAF

If you cannot connect to Moneris, you can still process some credit card purchase transactions on your terminal using an optional feature called Store and Forward (SAF). Store and Forward processing allows you to continue to accept purchase transactions even when the terminal is unable to connect to the Moneris host. SAF purchases are stored securely on the terminal and are automatically forwarded to Moneris once the host connection becomes available.

Requesting SAF

To request store and forward processing, contact Moneris in order to understand the risks and restrictions around this feature. Carefully review the statement below before requesting and using SAF.

Please note that Store and Forward is an optional feature which will allow you to process transactions which are not authorized by the issuing bank at the time you submit the transaction for acceptance by the bank. For that reason, SAF carries increased risks and if you enable the feature you will be agreeing to assume these risks, including that you may not receive settlement funds for some of these transactions because the cards may not have sufficient funds available, the cards may be blocked, stolen or fraudulently used, the stored transactions data on the terminals may be lost or damaged, you may exceed the capacity of the terminals to store transactions, etc. Additionally, many safety features cannot be used for such transactions and this increases the risk of chargebacks with limited or no remedies available for the merchant, even if chip and PIN are used. You should only use store and forward if you are prepared to assume these risks and you are allowed to do so by the Card Brand Rules and Regulations. It is your responsibility to monitor how your terminals are used and you are fully liable for all transactions processed using store and forward.

Performing a SAF purchase

The steps for performing a SAF purchase are the same as a regular credit card purchase, with two additional steps.

1.      The terminal will prompt you before starting a SAF transaction. You can cancel the transaction or proceed.

NOTE: Before deciding to proceed with performing the SAF transaction, Moneris advises you to exercise caution in considering the customer’s credit card, the customer’s behavior, and the transaction amount, among other factors in order to identify and minimize potential fraud. For more information, refer to the Moneris Guide to Preventing Credit Card Fraud.

2.      If you choose to proceed, the terminal prompts you to enter your user ID and passcode.  This will occur each time you perform a SAF transaction.

The customer receipt is always printed for a SAF transaction. Text and email receipts are not available for SAF.

Voiding a SAF purchase

Follow the standard Void procedure. Some purchase transactions can be voided while your terminal is unable to communicate with the Moneris host.

Situation Terminal behavior
If the purchase transaction to be voided is currently a SAF transaction The terminal deletes the stored purchase and therefore it will not be forwarded to the host when communication is restored.
If the purchase transaction to be voided is a not a SAF transaction or was successfully stored and sent to the host If your terminal is unable to communicate with the Moneris host, you must wait until communication is restored in order to process a void, or any transaction, other than purchases.

Clearing SAF transactions

No action is required to clear SAF transactions. When communication to the Moneris host is re-established, the terminal will automatically send any stored transactions in the background. You can continue to use the terminal while SAF transactions are being sent to the host in the background.

Conditions for SAF processing

The terminal will process SAF transactions only when:

§        Moneris has enabled SAF for your account

§        you enter a valid user ID and passcode after tapping OK to proceed with each SAF transaction

§        the terminal is unable to connect to the Moneris host

§        the transaction is a purchase (or the void of a stored purchase)

§        a chip card is inserted in the terminal and the customer enters the correct PIN

§        the card is not expired

§        additional restrictions are met (These may vary by merchant.)

Transactions not eligible for SAF processing

These transactions are not eligible for SAF:

§        Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC)

§        Gift and Loyalty

§        UnionPay

§        Interac debit

§        EMV fallback transactions

§        cashback

§        any transaction where the service code of the card is x2x