How Credit card processing works
Credit cards are an essential component of our daily life in the digital age since they make shopping easy and safe for us. However, when you swipe, dip, or tap your credit card, what actually happens behind the scenes? This essay will demystify the credit card processing process and illuminate the complex stages needed to successfully complete a transaction.
Authorization: When you use your credit card to make a transaction, getting authorisation is the first step in the processing process. Whether the merchant is a physical store or an online platform, they both send a request to the acquiring bank or payment processor to authenticate the transaction. Between the merchant and the cardholder’s issuing bank, the payment processor serves as a middleman.
Card validation: The cardholder’s issuing bank checks the information on the credit card supplied by the merchant to make sure the transaction is valid. The authenticity of the card is verified, the amount of available funds or credit is examined, and security features like the CVV (Card Verification Value) code are validated. These verifications determine whether the card is valid, and the transaction can move forward if it is.
Flow of Transactions: Upon successful card verification, the payment processor sends the transaction to the relevant card network, such as Visa, Mastercard, or American Express. The card network serves as a link between the issuing bank and the acquiring bank, enabling the safe transmission of money and data.
Dispute resolution and clearing: Following approval of the transaction by the cardholder’s issuing bank, the clearing and settlement process takes place. The payment processor sends the card network the transaction information during clearing, and the card network then sends the data to the issuing bank for closing verification and settlement. The payment cycle is completed when the monies are transferred from the issuing bank to the acquiring bank, which handled the transaction initially.
Safety precautions: Strong security measures are in place to safeguard cardholder data and stop fraud throughout the credit card processing procedure. Sensitive information is protected using encryption technologies, and other security measures like tokenization and two-factor authentication offer an extra degree of defense against unwanted access.
Fees to Merchants and Exchange: Interchange fees are charges that apply to businesses that accept credit card payments. These charges, which are normally a small portion of the transaction value, are made by the card networks. They assist in paying for the expenses related to network infrastructure, fraud protection measures, and payment processing services.
Efficiency and rapidity: Transactions can be finished in a matter of seconds thanks to the quick and effective design of credit card processing. Technology improvements, such as contactless payments and mobile wallets, have further improved the speed and convenience of transaction processing, resulting in a seamless experience for both customers and businesses.
A complicated and secure mechanism that permits smooth transactions is concealed behind the swipe, dip, or tap of your credit card. Each stage of the credit card processing process, from authorization and card verification to clearing and settlement, guarantees a secure transfer of payments and the protection of personal data. Consumers and businesses alike are empowered when they are aware of how credit card processing operates, which promotes convenience and trust in the world of electronic payments.
