If your business is one of the more than 600,000 outlets across the country that accept credit cards,¹ it’s important for you and your staff to be on guard for credit card fraud. Here’s what you need to know.

• Watch for counterfeit cards. Check that the Visa card presented bears all of the standard Visa symbols and marks, such as the unique embossed symbol (V, CV, BV, or PV), the three-dimensional hologram of a dove and the four-digit printed number above or below the embossed number. The Visa account number must always have 16 digits, beginning with a "4."

• Make sure all information on the sales draft is clear for all imprint copies. Your imprinter must also be used when you are unable to swipe a card through your electronic terminal, if the system is down, or when your printer or terminal isn’t working. Call for authorization, then accurately key in the transaction manually. Take special care to review the security features of any card that won’t swipe successfully.

• Compare the signature on the card to the one on the sales draft. Check for consistent spelling and handwriting. If they’re different, ask for additional identification, such as a driver’s licence. Never accept an unsigned card.

• Call for authorization if your terminal prompts you to "Call for Auth." Also call if the account number that appears on your terminal screen doesn’t match the number embossed on the front of the card.

• Use Code 10. If you’re at all suspicious of the card, the transaction, or the cardholder, retain the card and call the TD Canada Trust Merchant Services Visa Authorization Centre immediately at 1-800-363-1163. Identify your call as a Code 10 authorization.

For more information about protecting your business from credit card fraud, call TD Canada Trust Merchant Services at 1-800-363-1163 to order a copy of our "Credit Card Fraud Prevention" brochure.

Preferred paper suppliers

Need to order paper for your point-of-sale terminal? Make sure you’re dealing with a reputable supplier. The following companies are our preferred suppliers:

• J.L. Inc., 1-800-363-4873

• Main-Tech Industries, 1-800-268-5120

• Maxwell Media Products,
  Eastern Canada: 1-800-561-6406
  Western Canada: 1-800-461-3297

• Wedge Paper Products, 1-888-933-4336

¹ Canadian Bankers Association