Established in 1994, Europay, MasterCard, and Visa are abbreviated as EMV. It usually refers to a credit card with a smart chip and is a secure payment software. For all transactions involving credit, debit, and prepaid EMV smart cards, the EMV standard is a security technique that is utilized globally. So you require the best EMV terminals to ensure that payment through the EMVs are safe and fast.
At the beginning of 2022, over 11 billion cards will have payment security thanks to the new chip on credit cards. There are three ways to utilize it: mobile, contact, and contactless. The chip performs processing, stores data, and has safe keys that produce cryptographic data.
It is practically hard to use fake cards at POS terminals or replay intercepted transactions due to the dynamic data generated by each chip card transaction. In contrast, the magnetic stripe of conventional magnetic stripe cards has static data on it.
The switch to chip cards is a response to the world’s constantly escalating fraud rates. For American businesses, fraud is extremely prevalent. Despite only accounting for 24% of global credit card sales, the United States last year contributed over half of all credit card losses, totalling $8.6 billion.
The unreasonably expensive telephone line card authorization for European card issuers led to the adoption of the EMV standard in Europe for the first time in the 1990s. Card authentication expenses in Europe were up to 80–90% higher than in the US due to international call charges.
Card issuers adopted the EMV standard much later, with the initial deadline for merchant use of the new technology being October 2015.
Secure EMV chip – Important standard for the best EMV terminals
If used in conjunction with a card reader or one-time password device, EMV increases security and international interoperability for the card and mobile payments, even those made while the card is not physically present.
An EMV card’s chip can offer more complex authentication than magnetic-stripe cards. In other words, every EMV card contains a fully functional computer system. The card is nearly tough to copy because the chip cannot be tampered with.
In three key aspects, the EMV chip card technology secures the transaction while enhancing functionality:
Card verification
EMV safeguards against fake cards by generating distinctive transaction data that prevents any information that criminals may intercept from being utilized in later transactions.
Cardholder authentication
EMV makes sure the person conducting the transaction is the rightful cardholder, protecting against lost and stolen cards. Typically, EMV needs a pre-set PIN to be entered by the user before the transaction can proceed.
Payment executive order
Online or offline, EMV approves actions according to rules set forth by the issuer.
Steps involving chip card transaction
The cardholder places their chip card inside a POS system-attached device. The card’s integrated chip includes a special key that the device reader can access. With each approval transaction, the chip transmits a special cryptogram to the processor’s host.
In the case of chip and PIN, the cardholder must enter their PIN; in the case of chip and signature, they must sign the device screen. Once the transaction is over, the cardholder is prompted to take their card out of the system.
EMV Processing Terminals’ Benefits
By using an EMV terminal, your company and its business partners can decrease losses due to counterfeit fraud, which can enhance your company’s credit. Lower fraud losses help all stakeholders—including merchants—control the cost of doing business. By deploying terminals as payment processors that handle chip transactions, merchants experience a reduction in chargebacks.
When cashiers adhere to the instructions on the payment system’s terminal presented, the merchant is not held financially responsible for the costs of individual fraud transactions. Cashiers must also adhere to the standard security procedures used by the company.
EMVCards Lower Fraud:
The international standard for chip-based transactions is EMV Cards. A unique transaction code that can never be used again is generated by the card’s chip. This makes it easier to conceal the buyer’s actual credit card number throughout the checkout process. The transaction is performed once the smart chip communicates with the card processor to confirm and authenticate the purchase and the existence of money.
Before the switch to EMV cards, credit card issuers were generally in charge of paying out cardholders for the money they lost as a result of fraud to address fraud that affected consumer accounts. However, as soon as the EMV mandate went into effect on October 1, 2015, the party with less secure systems became responsible for fraud.
Therefore, offering EMV technology to your clients is the only liability insurance your company has. While chip cards can be used anywhere cards are accepted, businesses that have activated chip-enabled terminals are the only places where the chip capability is usable.
The cost of updating charge card systems and the length of time it takes to get machine certification are the main reasons given by retailers who haven’t embraced the new anti-fraud technology for their delays. However, a lot of small business owners claim they are content with the change.
Security:
According to Visa, more than 3.1 million business locations were taking chip cards as of last June, a 680% rise since the start of the EMV migrations in the U.S. Customers now anticipate firms to assist in safeguarding their financial information and safeguarding them from fraud.
If your business does not provide chip card readers, your reputation and customer relationships may be at stake.
Attract new customers:
The processing technology connected to today’s credit card readers captures a lot of data about your customers, and you should take advantage of that information for the benefit of your company. You can find out what products customers want by creating a customer database.
This data can also assist you in making decisions about whether to launch a loyalty program, provide gift cards, or simply improve communication with your target audience.
Increased credit card usage:
A wireless EMV chip card will probably become your consumers’ new favourite due to its tap-and-go convenience, which will improve their loyalty and spending with that card.
Even the number of contact transactions done with those cards has increased significantly as a result of the addition of contactless capability.
EMV standard compatibility on an international market:
The global payment standard is EMV. The technology is becoming more widely used, especially in regions of Europe and Canada where EMV compliance is over 100%. Your customers might not be able to use their cards to make purchases when they are travelling abroad due to the current magnetic-stripe technology. So whenever EMV chip cardholders make purchases, they benefit from convenience and dependability.
Most effective countertop EMV terminals:
Best Card Reader for All Purposes
EMV, magnetic stripe, and NFC payments are all accepted by the countertop Verifone VX520 terminal. The VX520 may be linked up using an Ethernet or phone line and has built-in support for gift and loyalty programs. An RS-232 (serial) port and two USB ports are provided for hardware communication, and it has a white backlit LCD interface and vivid blue lighting behind its buttons for improved visibility in low light.
It has a fast release to expedite the paper reloading process and a transparent paper door that allows staff to see the available paper supply. The VX520 is a dependable, affordable choice that will meet a merchant’s EMV requirements shortly.
Major advantages:
- • Fast EMV Credit Card Processing
• Faster checkout times enable you to process more transactions and expedite customer exit.
• Simple to Use
• The countertop unit has a backlit screen and keypad for usage in all lighting conditions and is designed for ease of use.
• Dependable operation
• Increase the return on your investment with the VX 520, which offers performance, dependability, and robust functionality.
Best Card Reader Performance
The Ingenico iPP320 is a thin, portable countertop terminal that accepts magnetic stripe, contactless, EMV, NFC, and chip-and-PIN transactions. The iPP320 is simple hardware and POS connectivity device that is sold in the United States and Canada. It has an RS-232 (serial) interface, an ethernet port, and a USB port. It doesn’t seem to work with connections through phone lines.
The iPP320 has backlit keys and a colour LCD screen, and it may be configured to incorporate additional consumer menus during the checkout process. The iPP320 is a cost-effective solution that satisfies EMV specifications and offers a great deal of flexibility for businesses that want to accept different payment methods.
Ideal Wireless EMV Terminals
The best mobile card reader
To process payments for EMV, magnetic stripe, and NFC, the Verifone VX680 is a handheld wireless terminal that connects through GPRS, Wi-Fi, 3G, or Bluetooth. When positioned on its charging base, the VX680 also enables dial-up and ethernet connectivity. One of the biggest and best screens available on any portable terminal is the 3.5-inch colour touch screen with audio and video capabilities that comes with it.
Additionally, there are two USB connections and a built-in printer. For organizations without access to a wired ethernet or phone connection, or for retailers who want their salesmen to be able to roam freely within a building or between locations, the VX680 is a great choice.
Outstanding Long-Distance Card reader
The iWL255 model from Ingenico is a compact wireless terminal with GPRS/3G or LAN connectivity that can process payments made with EMV, magnetic stripe, and NFC. Additionally, the business sells the iWL252 model, which relies on a Bluetooth connection as opposed to a data plan.
The iWL255 is the lightest handheld type on this list, charges through a stationary base or a car charger, and offers a few days of battery life, making it one of the most mobile-friendly terminals available. It offers a full-colour display and built-in ethernet, USB, and dial-up modem connectivity in its charging base. It also has a thermal printer integrated within it.
Best Mobile Card Reader with No Fancy stuff
The mobile payment processing revolution was started by Square’s initial headphone jack card reader, but the company’s new EMV card reader may be even more amazing. It is portable enough to transport between sites thanks to its thin, screenless design, and its battery can last for a whole day of sales.
It is without a doubt the least expensive choice on this list and only needs a Bluetooth connection to a compatible mobile phone or tablet to function. The fact that the Square EMV scanner may only be utilized with Square’s merchant account service is its main drawback.
Top EMV Terminals for Users
Ideal for Big Retail
The Verifone MX 880 terminal is a multimedia terminal built to speed up checkout times and better engage customers during the payment process. Through an ethernet, USB, or Verifone cable connection, the MX 880 can process magnetic stripe and EMV payments.
Customers can enter numerical information quietly and effectively using its recessed tactile keypad, which also features a touch-enabled screen that can play audio and video advertisements or instructions and capture signatures. Additionally, the MX 880 has a contactless payment module that can be upgraded at a later time at the merchant’s option.
Excellent for Apple Pay and NFC
A multilane POS system called the Ingenico iSC Touch 250 can collect payments via magnetic stripes, EMV, Chip-and-PIN, and NFC over a USB, Ethernet, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or GPRS connection. Because it already accepts NFC payments and loyalty programs, this all-in-one terminal is the list’s most future-proof customer-facing terminal.
The 4.3-inch multimedia touch screen on the iSC Touch 250 can capture both digital and biometric signatures. More than 2,000 graphical libraries can be stored, accessed, and new business service apps can be executed on it. For establishments with a customer-initiated payment process that want to be able to take contactless payments as they grow more popular among customers, the Ingenico iSC Touch 250 is a great alternative.
POYNT POS, The Long term Terminal
Poynt is a terminal with integrated POS software that was created by the person behind Google Wallet. It can swipe cards, and dip cards, enter signatures or PINs, accept NFC payments, generate receipts, read barcodes and QR codes, and even use GPS to monitor your whereabouts.
It can be connected through Bluetooth, 3G, or wifi and has two different screens, so there’s no need to buy a different gadget or flip the screen over.
CLOVER POS, THE BEAUTIFUL TERMINALS
Consider Clover if you want a terminal with an integrated POS but can’t wait for Poynt. In contrast to Poynt, the company provides a variety of terminal alternatives that are meant to be used in tandem. The negative? The greatest upfront costs on the list are typically seen with Clover.
First, Clover provides the Station (around $999), which has an 11.6-inch display and a receipt printer that can accept all forms of payment. For user convenience, the screen can pivot between the cashier and the customer, and it naturally has the Clover POS built in.
The Clover Mobile ($699) and Clover Mini ($399 or $449 for the 3G version) are further products they provide. Both are intended to be portable. In addition to processing all payment ways, they have a ton of other capabilities, which I’ll leave to our assessments of the Station, Mobile, and Mini.
It suffices to mention that you should opt for a terminal with an integrated POS if you want one that can perform more than just card scanning.
Numerous payment processors, such as Payment Depot, offer Clover, but you should always be able to purchase it from a third party.
Changing to EMV presents challenges:
- One of the reasons some retailers have put off implementing EMV technology is a lack of understanding of the responsibility transfer. Some companies are hesitant to make the initial financial commitment required for new hardware and software improvements.
- Another difficulty for business owners, even those committed to the conversion process, has been obtaining the necessary certificates promptly. To accept EMV, retailers must install new software, and their newly EMV-compliant terminals must go through a certification process.
We have a few closing remarks.
Even though EMV technology is an effective deterrent to fraud, it cannot fully shield users from data breaches. Card-not-present fraud is on the rise and will continue to be an issue for years to come. This type of fraud involves purchases made over the phone, online, or through the mail.
Nevertheless, despite any potential future difficulties, EMV technology is already the norm everywhere and will continue to influence how payments are processed in the future.
Make that your payment processor and POS software are compatible with your EMV terminal. Nothing is more frustrating than purchasing new hardware only to discover that it is incompatible with your present system. However, your payment processor can demand a large fee or merely decline to reprogram equipment owned by other parties. Never rent out terminals. The CDGcommerce case could be an exception, but even then, proceed with extreme caution. The liability shift is not nearly ready for many POSs. If yours isn’t, they probably shoulder the risk until they are. If you directly purchase or pre-order equipment from them, that is.
