Frequently Asked Questions
(You may also want to read the “Technical & Integration Questions” in Merchant Support Area.)
General Questions:
What are Authotrans.com services? Do I have to use them all?
How does the Authotrans.com process work?
Why should I use Authotrans.com?
My business is based outside the United States. Can I use Authotrans.com?
Will my order forms need to reside on Authotrans.com server?
What fields are required in my order form for the process to work?
How do I (the merchant) get paid?
Do customers need to belong to an online bank to use Authotrans.com system?
What information do my customers provide for order processing?
How do my customers keep track of the transaction?
How long have Authotrans.com services been in use?
What prevents the interception of account information on the Internet?
What about my customers who aren’t on the Internet?
Credit Card Acceptance:
How do I accept credit cards online?
I already have a merchant account. Do I need a new one?
Do I need a credit card terminal or processing software?
Does Authotrans.com perform address verification (AVS)?
Can I post a credit to a customer’s card?
Can I void transactions online?
Online Check Acceptance (EFT):
How do I accept payments via EFT?
Do I need a merchant account or any special hardware or software?
Can EFT transactions be returned by my bank for non-sufficient funds (NSF), etc.?
GENERAL QUESTIONS
What are Authotrans.com services? Do I have to use them all?
Virtual Terminal
Real-time credit card acceptance
EFT: Check payment acceptance (via electronic funds transfer)
Quick Store - Shopping Cart Program
No. You do not have to use all of these services. When registering with Authotrans.com you can use as many or as few of the services we offer.
How does the Authotrans.com process work?
Please see this brief summary.
Why should I use Authotrans.com?
More Sales. With the explosive growth of Internet shopping, you can’t afford not to accept payments online. Authotrans.com allows you to give your customers multiple payment options; whether they choose to pay with a credit card or a checking account, they can make their payments immediately and securely at your web site.
Simplicity. Authotrans.com provides hands-off payment acceptance. Though you are welcome to enter your customers’ orders manually, Authotrans.com is designed to spare you that effort. You don’t need to handle any transactions yourself. Your customers can enter their own information --24 hours a day-- and Authotrans.com will automatically do the rest.
Speed. Your customers’ orders are processed in real-time (immediately). Each transaction takes only 5-30 seconds, depending on Internet traffic and the speed of your processor. This enables you to allow access to member-only areas, allow instant downloads, etc.
Quick Payment. With Authotrans.com, it takes very little time to receive payment for the orders placed on your site. Funds will be deposited directly into your account.
Flexibility. Your customers can place and pay for their orders online--automatically--or you can take their orders by phone, by fax, or in person.
Security. The fact that you never have to handle your customers’ payment information increases security. All orders are placed via Authotrans.com secure server, eliminating the risk of information theft. Your web site can be hosted on any server without compromising the security of your customers’ data.
Price. Authotrans.com prices are exceptionally competitive.
My business is based outside the United States. Can I use Authotrans.com?
Yes, There are some limitations, however.
Please see this information.
Will my order forms need to reside on Authotrans.com server?
If so, how will I get access to change them when necessary?
Your order pages can reside where ever you’d like, giving you complete control. You simply “post” your order form to Authotrans.com secure server. After your customers place orders, Authotrans.com redirects them to the URL of your choice. (The URL can also be a CGI.)
What fields are required in my order form for the process to work?
Please refer to the Technical & Integration FAQ
How do I (the merchant) get paid?
Credit Cards - Funds are deposited into your bank account according to your agreement with your merchant credit card processor (generally within 48-72 hours).
EFT - Funds are electronically transferred into your bank account.
Do customers need to belong to an online bank to use Authotrans.com?
No.
What information do my customers provide for order processing?
For Credit Cards:
Information as listed on the customer’s credit card statement, including name, address, phone number, credit card type, credit card number, and expiration date.
For EFT:
Information shown on one of the customer’s checks, including name, address, phone number, checking account number, and the routing number on the bottom of the check. In all cases, the customer is also asked for an email address.
How do my customers keep track of the transaction?
With each order, an email notification is sent to the customer with complete order details. The transaction then appears on the customer’s monthly credit card or checking account statement.
How long have Authotrans.com services been in use?
Authotrans.com and affiliated services since 1995.
What prevents the interception of account information on the Internet?
Authotrans.com security standards are unsurpassed. Since account information is never transmitted unencrypted or stored on the Internet, there is no danger of interception. Account information is never sent via email.
What about my customers who aren’t on the Internet?
Authotrans.com services are not limited to Internet transactions. As long as you have an Internet connection, we can also process transactions you receive via phone, fax, or in person. This type of transaction process is accessed thru your Virtual Terminal.
CREDIT CARD ACCEPTANCE
How do I accept credit cards online?
1. Register with Authotrans.com.
2. Obtain a Internet credit card merchant account. If you don’t have a merchant account, we can help you obtain one. Authotrans.com can help you take care of a Credit Card Merchant Account in just a few days. (See: Credit Card US under applications.)
Once you have completed these two steps, we can set you up with our Charge Service within one business day.
I already have a merchant account. Do I need a new one?
Yes; If your credit card account was set up to be a retail account. Internet Accounts are considered a mail order phone order, customer not present with card. To avoid penalties from Visa and Master Card an Internet Account must meet this criteria.
No; If you already have a mail order/phone order merchant account that is listed on processors supported page, you will not need to apply for a new account. (See List of Processors Supported.) After viewing the processors support page, if your still not sure of your current credit card processor platform, please email: support@authotrans.com
If you don’t have a merchant account, we can help you obtain one.
Do I need a credit card terminal or processing software?
No. Authotrans.com eliminates your need to lease or buy credit card processing hardware or software.
Does Authotrans.com perform address verification (AVS)?
All of the major credit card processors will accept transactions that do not pass AVS. The fact that processors do not reject non-AVS transactions is a great concern of ours.
Because of this, Authotrans.com has introduced one of the first AVS systems for the Internet. Our system allows us to disallow transactions that are allowed through the processor without passing AVS. The system takes into consideration the AVS selection each merchant makes at sign-up. If a non-AVS transaction is allowed through by the processor, Authotrans.com’s system will not allow the transaction to be processed and will issue an error message to the customer.
Can I post a credit to a customer’s card?
Yes. Authotrans.com is fully-functional Point-of-Sale (POS) service. Merchants can post credits to cutomers’ cards. This function is performed on Authotrans.com secure server in a password-protected environment.
Can I void transactions online?
Yes, This can be done in real-time in a secure, password-protected environment.
Online Check Acceptance (EFT)
How do I accept payments via EFT?
1. Register with Authotrans.com.
2. Set up an account with EFT provider. (See EFT Check under Application on Home Page of Authotrans.com.)
Then, when your customer chooses to pay from a bank account, they simply provide their account information in an online order form. This information is relayed securely to the EFT processor for approval. Once approved, Authotrans.com sends both you and your customer a copy of the order via e-mail. Funds are electronically transferred from your customer’s bank account into your own.
For EFT, do I need any special hardware or software?
No.
Can EFT transactions be returned by my bank for non-sufficient funds (NSF), etc.?
If your customer provides invalid account information or doesn’t have sufficient funds to cover an order, their EFT transaction will be declined by the EFT processor. Transactions will only be submitted to your bank after they have been screened by the EFT processor. This alleviates the risk of bank-assessed returned-item fees.
