World

Are Card-Not-Present Transactions Safe? We asked Platinum Payment Systems

Published

5 years ago

September 1, 2020

Card-Not-Present (CNP) transactions are generally known to be riskier than Card-Present transactions, as they leave both the customer and the merchant open for fraud.

Online shopping is no longer the future, it’s the present.

In fact, 75% of people worldwide shop online at least once a month! This is according to Statistica, who has also reported that eCommerce sales are predicted to go as high as $4.2 trillion by the end of 2020 and over $6.5 trillion by 2023.

It’s no surprise then, that Card-Not-Present (CNP) transactions have become all the more prevalent. But, what exactly are card-not-present transactions? And, are they safe?

What Are Card-Not-Present Transactions?

First thing’s first, you’re probably already familiar with traditional Card-Present transactions.

Card-Present transactions are when a customer swipes a credit card through a terminal or mobile swiper, and the payment is processed by a merchant processor that facilitates the transfer of funds from the customer’s bank account and into the merchant’s business bank account.

In effect, a Card-Not-Present transaction is pretty much the same thing — funds are transferred from a customer’s bank account to the merchant’s bank account by a ‘middleman’.

The only difference is that, because the transaction is happening virtually, there is no way of physically swiping a card through a terminal. Which basically means, that the transaction has to happen with the card not present.

Evidently, this changes a lot of things. Including how the payment is settled.

Because, CNP transactions are initiated and authorized with the customer inputting their card credentials (their account number, card expiration date, card security code, etc.) through a payment gateway available on the merchant’s eCommerce store.

And, unfortunately, because it’s harder to prove card ownership with CNP transactions, it’s definitely riskier than traditional CP transactions. After all, with CP transactions, at the very least, the card’s physical presence allows for a more direct authentication process.

What Are the Risks of CNP Transactions?

As described above, because CNP transactions are virtually facilitated, there are more definite risks involved. And, the most common types of these risks are:

Credit Card Fraud: Credit card fraud is more likely to occur for CNP transactions because it’s much easier to steal relevant credit card information (the account number, expiration date, security code, etc.) than it is to physically steal a card. This type of fraud definitely affects the card owner — who may not even notice that their card is being used to purchase items without their consent. But it can affect merchants as well — as it could lead to chargebacks.
Chargeback Fraud: A chargeback fraud occurs when a customer purchases and then receives goods and services from a merchant and then has their payment returned to them by the bank because of an issue with the transaction. In this case, the merchant is at an obvious loss — as they lose out on both their product and the payment.

Either type of fraud is incredibly damaging for the merchant, and potentially damaging for the customer as well — which is why it is so important that you know how to protect your business, and secure your customers, from these types of risk.

The Bottom Line: How Can You Protect Your Business from The Risk of Card-Not-Present Transactions?

Fraud is an incredibly real danger. And, as mentioned, the risks of fraud are definitely higher for Card-Not-Present transactions. Fortunately, however, it’s not all bad. There are ways of mitigating these risks — whether you’re the buyer or a merchant.

For merchants, as an example, you can hire a merchant processor like Platinum Payment Systems, who offer both fraud and chargeback protection. And thus, can help support you with navigating through the risks involved.

In fact, in a recent interview, one of Platinum Payment Systems’ managing founders, Jed Morley, said: “Our goal with PlatPay, is to help others solve their payment processing problems and support them with whatever else they need to handle the risks and balance the different types of payments they receive.”

And so, again, while CNP transactions are not quite up to the same security standards as CP transactions are at present, there are ways of protecting yourself and your business from the risks. It’s just a matter of finding a solution that will work for you.

World

Empowering Minority Women to Pursue Leadership in Business and Law

Published

2 weeks ago

June 3, 2025

Jenny Jackson

There is a familiar saying that a “rising tide lifts all boats,” and there are professionals among us who truly take that concept to heart. Attorney Leah Wise is one of them. From an early age, Wise knew that whatever she wanted to do in life as a career, helping people had to be a primary motivation.

On her way up as founder of the first Latina-owned law firm in South Texas dedicated 100% to personal injury law, Wise acknowledges that she stood on the shoulders of some great mentors. Now, she is paying it forward through a series of initiatives and programs dedicated to helping minority women pursue their dreams.

A love for law and justice

While working for a state senator prior to law school, Wise developed a deep love for making a difference in people’s lives. “I learned that one person can truly have an impact on the world,” she recalls. This lesson led her to pursue law as a career, and she soon found herself in the position of a trailblazer as a woman and a Latina.

Unlike most young upstart lawyers who battle it out for positions at established firms after law school, Wise knew she wanted to set out on her own immediately. She started her own personal injury firm right out of law school and got to work making a name for herself in the Texas law community, an act of rebellion that flew in the face of norms within the law field and stood as a testament to the Wise’s resilience. It’s an approach Wise hopes to help other minority women embrace — go after what you want, no matter what stands in your way.

Giving back

Wise has not stopped wanting to help others since the days of working in the senator’s office. She has made a point to make philanthropy a significant part of her brand, focusing on building the confidence and careers of minority women, especially Latinas.

Wise created a non-profit organization called the Wise Women Foundation to address all of the ways she wanted to empower and inspire women seeking careers, especially those looking to make their mark in male-centered fields like Wise. The Wise Women Foundation helps empower minority women through education, mentorships, and resources that can often be scarce in minority communities.

“The foundation is about offering women options,” says Wise. Through the various resources provided by the Wise Women Foundation, women can better reach their full potential and overcome obstacles that are often placed in the way of minority women.

Part of Wise’s main focus through the Wise Women Foundation is helping women start their own businesses — as she did — especially within the legal industry. A serial entrepreneur herself, Wise knows the value of steering one’s own ship.

Wise has other beneficial initiatives as well, including the Leah Wise Latina Student Hardship Fund at her alma mater, St. Mary’s University School of Law, which offers $50,000 to the law school to aid Latina law students. She also hosts a CrashGal Mentorship Group for aspiring Latina lawyers and has raised funds for Teach for America, the Family Crisis Center of the Rio Grande Valley, and toward distributing tampons and pads in low-income schools in the Rio Grande Valley.

Using social connection to inspire others

Since starting her law firm, Wise has known the value of social media. As one of Texas’s first personal injury lawyers to truly take advantage of social media marketing, she knows how powerful social connections can be. As the co-founder of the social media segment “Latina Feature Friday” and the host of “Coffee With CrashGal,” Wise highlights minority-owned businesses and gives advice in a relatable and authentic way.

“The business world is so competitive,” Wise shares. “Everything I do is in an attempt to lift people up and encourage them.”

Changing the business landscape

Through every philanthropic project Wise takes on, Wise is helping change the business landscape for minority women. She has shown the value of being a multifaceted entrepreneur not only through her philanthropic works and her law firm but also through her other ventures, such as CrashGal Couture and her real estate business.

Recently, Wise purchased a building to house her empire — and made a statement about the strength and resilience of women in the process. The building was a former strip club, and Wise is dedicated to turning it into a safe space for building dreams, serving clients who are going through difficult moments, and empowering minority women in business.

Wise knows that with a helping hand, minority women can do extraordinary things — in business and in life. Whether it’s helping her clients get justice during a personal injury case or helping disadvantaged college students access money toward a law degree, Wise is making an indelible mark on her community.