Sometimes for your business it would be handy to accept credit card payments while on the go at an event, tradeshow, or in the field without carrying bulking equipment. Now you can! With a Stripe payment processing account and an app, your small business can accept credit cards even without a conventional card reader or scanner, all you need is a smartphone.
For security, Stripe is fully compliant with Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards (PCI DSS). All payment information is safeguarded on Stripe’s secure server. You setup an account and add your bank account routing to your Stripe account as the first key step, but let’s talk a bit more about Stripe in general first.
The biggest threat to any online credit card payment system is the potential for an attack. The Man-in-the-Middle break-in involves the invasion by a 3rd party with the intent to alter or steal a communication between 2 parties. The Stripe system uses Transport Layer Security (TLS), a replacement for the prior SSL protection, which ensures privacy between the parties. Because of the degree of authentication required to enter and transact between two parties, users can be assured their information will remain safe.
If you’re selling your products at an outside venue, card readers have the tendency to get broken either from the weather or the rough environment. Nothing is more frustrating than having a customer in front of you that wants to give you money, you swiping their card to no avail with no way other way to take it. Here are 2 payment apps that don’t need a card reader and it’s as simple as taking a picture or entering the card number!
Want to use a card reader instead of your smartphone keyboard? You can if you must. Just request it and Payments for Stripe will furnish it. The key value is the image reader that lets you scan the card with your camera and it pulls in the credit card number and information needed.
To create a Stripe account, you’ll need to provide personal information and verify your identity and validity of your business. This information may include an Employee Identification Number (EIN), Social Security Number (SSN), driver’s license or passport credentials. A secure login and password will be required to access your Stripe account.
Once you're verified, you’ll need to add a routing and account number for the bank account to which funds will be transferred.
Detailed information is available on the Stripe.com website. A range of FAQs is available for your review also.
That’s it! There’s no barrier to accepting credit card payments on the go when you have a smartphone and one of these apps with a Stripe account.
