A Virtual Terminal is a web-based interface (or a feature within an app like Charge for Stripe) that allows merchants to manually enter a customer’s credit card details to process a payment. This is also known as a MOTO (Mail Order / Telephone Order) transaction and is used when the customer and their card are not physically present.
FAQs:
- Are fees higher for Virtual Terminal transactions?
Yes, “card-not-present” or manually entered transactions typically incur slightly higher processing fees due to the increased risk of fraud compared to in-person payments. - Is it safe to type card numbers into a Virtual Terminal?
Yes, provided you are using a PCI-compliant provider. You should never write down the card number on paper before entering it. - When should I use a Virtual Terminal?
It is best used for taking orders over the phone or processing payments for remote clients who cannot use a payment link.
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