Paying the Way Forward: The Next Trends in Australian Payments

Can you take contactless card payments with just your mobile phone? Yes! Until last year, accepting contactless card payments on your phone required you to have a mobile credit card reader either plugged into your phone or connected via Bluetooth. Now, thanks to the latest smartphone technology, you don’t need any extra hardware, all you need is a mobile app that's enabled with Tap to Pay technology, that allows you to accept card payments directly from your phone. What is it called when you take contactless card payments on your mobile phone? The process of accepting a contactless payment on your phone (using its inbuilt technology, not a mobile card reader) is known as ‘ Tap to Pay ’. This term applies to both iPhone and Android devices that are using a financial services app – such as  Zeller App  – to accept contactless credit and debit cards and digital wallets. Can you use any smartphone as an EFTPOS terminal? Only selected iPhone and Android smartphones, with built-in  NFC technology  will support Tap to Pay. What app lets you take EFTPOS payments on your phone? There are a number of different payment apps that can be downloaded from the  App Store  or  Google Play Store  that support Tap to Pay. Zeller App is a great option for Australian businesses looking for a simple, affordable, and scalable platform to accept EFTPOS payments and manage their finances as they grow. Merchants wishing to take payments on their phone will simply need to download their selected app, and follow the steps to configure their device. Once configured, they can then start accepting EFTPOS payments immediately. Is it safe to take EFTPOS payments on your mobile phone? Taking contactless payments on your mobile phone relies on ‘ Near Field Communication ’, or NFC – the same technology that is used for making payments with a mobile wallet. Account information is transmitted from a customer’s card or mobile wallet to the payment processor via radio waves within a very close range, and once received, the processor uses the information to complete the transaction. By virtue of the fact that NFC only works within a couple of centimetres, it makes it incredibly difficult for a potential fraudster to intercept the transaction and steal sensitive information. Tap to Pay on both Android and iPhone via the Zeller App offers highly secure contactless payments that adhere to global security standards. Both platforms support various card types, regularly verify device security, include secure PIN processes and use advanced technology to ensure every transaction is not only convenient but also protected, maintaining the privacy and safety of user information. Additionally, Tap to Pay on iPhone ensures secure transactions through Apple's unique features, such as issuing decryption keys after thorough validation and leveraging the iPhone's built-in security element. How much does it cost to take contactless card payment on your mobile phone? Tap to Pay technology is facilitated by payment apps, each of which have their own pricing structures. The cost of taking card payments on your phone will therefore depend on which app you choose to process these payments. Zeller, for example, offers one low flat transaction fee of 1.4% for all cards, including American Express. The advantage of Zeller is that it is one of the few payment apps that also lets you pass the transaction fee onto your customer through surcharging . If you choose to surcharge, you will incur no fee whatsoever for accepting contactless payments on your phone. I need to take contactless card payments immediately, what should I do? If you want to be able to use your phone like an EFTPOS terminal within a few hours, it’s important that you choose a payment app that has a simple, online sign-up process. All the payment apps will require you to have an account with them first, and in the case of the banks, this will mean  opening a business bank account  which may take several days and an in-person branch visit. With Zeller, you can open an account online, within a matter of minutes – no paperwork required. Once your Zeller Account is up and running, you simply need to download Zeller App, enable Tap to Pay on your device, and you’re ready to start taking card payments on your smartphone. What are the advantages of accepting contactless card payments on your mobile phone? It’s affordable Not all businesses can justify the upfront cost of an EFTPOS terminal, especially if they are not processing a large volume of in-person payments. Being able to use hardware that you already own is therefore a much more cost-effective solution. It allows new businesses or very small businesses to get up and running without the outlay of having to purchase an EFTPOS terminal. It’s mobile For mobile businesses that take in-person payments, having to carry a bulky EFTPOS machine around with you is inconvenient. Using your mobile phone as a payment terminal means you can keep it in your pocket and enjoy being hands-free. It’s great for emergencies For businesses that use a traditional EFTPOS machine, having an app installed and configured to take payments on your phone means that if there’s ever a day when your terminal lets you down or when you have a surge in customers, you won’t miss a beat. In the case of an outage or damaged EFTPOS machine, rather than having to revert to cash-only payments – which will almost certainly lead to lost sales in this day and age – you can keep trading as per usual by simply using your phone. Are there any other hardware-free payment options? In addition to Tap to Pay, there’s another simple solution for taking card payments instantly with no hardware required: Virtual Terminal. If you need a way to charge customers, but in-person payments aren’t possible, this is a great alternative.  Zeller Virtual Terminal  is a web-based tool that lets you take payments over the phone (as well as mail order, fax, or email) by manually entering a customer’s card details into your browser. Alternatively, merchants have the option of sending customers a secure payment link via email or SMS, where they can enter their card details themselves from their own device. Meet Zeller: an all-in-one financial services provider. When you  sign up for a free Zeller Account  today, not only will you be able to start taking card payments on your phone, you will also gain access to a suite of financial services, from a Zeller Transaction Account to debit cards, invoicing, virtual terminal and more. It only takes a few minutes to sign up, and it’s all done online – no paperwork or branch-visits required.

From promoting an offer on the screen of Zeller Terminal to adding a QR code onto your receipts, or customising the colour of your invoices: Zeller ensures your brand is central to the payment process. When we think of brands, naturally some of the most prominent come to mind: Nike, Ikea, McDonalds. However, a strong brand doesn’t necessarily mean a big one. Small businesses are able to derive just as much benefit from a recognisable brand identity as major international companies, it’s all a question of scale. The beauty of building your brand as a small business is that you don’t have to go to huge lengths to achieve it, you just have to be consistent. Emphasising your brand at every customer touch point – whether it’s a simple logo printed on your napkins or the colour of your bathrooms – can leave a lasting impression. In this article, we offer you three innovative ways to integrate your brand into the payment process to engage customers with your business right until they finalise their transaction. 1. Add a Custom Screensaver to Zeller Terminal. Even when Zeller Terminal goes to sleep, it keeps working for your business. Thanks to this new update, you can now set a custom screensaver that will appear on your Terminal screen when it’s not in use. While customers wait for you to scan their items or pull up their order on your point-of-sale, it is the perfect opportunity for you to engage them with your brand. Whether you’ve got a new offer to promote, need to remind customers to place their Christmas orders, or want to highlight a new product or item on the menu: the large, digital screen on Zeller Terminal is the perfect place to do it. Any image can be uploaded, as long as it is sized correctly (320 x 496 px). By incorporating a QR code into the image you can invite customers to sign up to a newsletter, referral program, or competition. This is a great way of bolstering your mailing list with people you know have already interacted with your business. However you choose to use Custom Screensavers on Zeller Terminal, it’s a great way to maintain brand consistency throughout your premises. When you upload a screensaver via Zeller Dashboard, there’s no need to update each Terminal individually, it will automatically update to all the Terminals operating within the site you have selected. By featuring your logo, as well as colours and fonts consistent with your style, a slogan or key message; you will emphasise your brand identity just before your customers walk out the door. To upload a Custom Screensaver: Open the Zeller Dashboard and navigate to Sites Locate and click the site to see its settings Click the Appearance tab Upload your logo Select a background colour (Zeller will automatically recommend some colours based on your logo) Click Save All Zeller Terminals within the site will display the image when in sleep mode 2. Use receipts to engage your customers. Whether they’re printed or sent digitally as an email or SMS , receipts can be used in clever ways to help drive return business or help your customers connect with you. With Zeller, you can add a custom image at the top of the receipt, where a simple logo and/or QR code will catch people’s eye. Below this, you can add in your business details, so your customers know how to contact you, as well as your social media handles. In the case of digital receipts – these are live links that will take customers directly to your social profiles. There are two spaces, above and below the purchase details where you can add a message of 500 characters or less. You could include a brief history of your business, details of a competition you’re running, or a message or slogan that aligns with your brand. Much more than a simple proof of purchase, receipts are an innovative marketing tool that can be leveraged to instil your brand messaging. 3. Align your invoices to your brand identity You don’t necessarily need a shop front to create a strong brand. Having a clear, identifiable web presence will set you apart from your competitors, and ensure your business is the first that comes to mind when your service is required. Or even when it’s not! Your online presence doesn’t end at your website. Every interaction with your customer is an opportunity to remind them of your brand, and invoices are no exception. Zeller Invoices provides you with the best of both worlds: the ability to create and send invoices quickly, but also the flexibility to customise them to align with your brand. With different colours and layouts to choose from, space for your logo and a custom message, your clients will be able to instantly recognise your business and your service. Not only does this make it easier (and therefore faster) for your clients to pay you, but they’ll associate the service with your brand, and are much more likely to return to you next time. Bringing your brand to life across the payment process is just one of the many ways Zeller lets you tailor your financial solution. With many different ways to take payments, make payments and manage your money, Zeller’s tools are designed with the flexibility and versatility to adapt to your business. Find out for yourself by signing up for a free Zeller Account today or by contacting our Sales Team to learn how Zeller could be a great fit for your business, and your brand.

When you accept payments with Zeller, your business benefits from a dedicated anti-fraud team and 24/7 transaction monitoring. However, there’s even more you can be doing to safeguard your business against scammers. Read on to learn our top 5 tips . 1. Never give away your Zeller Account information. No one needs to know your Zeller password except you. We will never ask you for it, and neither should your employees. It’s imperative that you not only keep this to yourself, but that your password can’t easily be guessed. Scammers who manage to acquire account information can login, change passwords and account information, add themselves as authorised users, and start transferring money or requesting new cards to be issued. To help counteract this, Zeller has enabled two-factor authentication and also sends real-time security notifications that will immediately alert you to any changes to your account, such as logins from new devices or password or detail changes. It is important, however, not to rely on these layers of security, which are designed as a last resort. Instead, you must ensure that your account information doesn’t get into the wrong hands in the first place. Need to give your team members access to your Zeller Account? Learn how to manage user permissions here . 2. Never transfer money on behalf of a customer. One common type of scam that targets small businesses involves a fraudster deliberately overpaying for a service, and requesting that the additional funds are transferred to a third party. This type of scam is becoming more and more common in the hospitality and service industry so it’s important to be aware so that you know what to look out for. The scam involves a fraudster using a stolen credit card and pretending to work on behalf of a client. They seek out services that can be associated with other services, for example: A bridal shop and a limousine driver An event space and a partyware hire business A restaurant and a florist How does it work? Let’s take the example of the restaurant and the florist. A fraudster contacts your restaurant saying they are organising a dinner for a client. They request to pay up front for a set menu for 10 people, which comes to a total of $1000. However, they pay you $2000, and request that you transfer the extra $1000 to the florist who will be providing the floral arrangements on the night. This ‘florist’, however, is an associate of the scammer. When the rightful owner of the credit card becomes aware of the illegitimate $2000 transaction, they will request a chargeback and your business will lose the transaction amount. Unlike other financial service providers, Zeller will not charge your business additional chargeback fees, and our dedicated Account Services team will work with you to compile information to help you defend the chargeback, too. What are chargebacks? A chargeback is a transaction reversal initiated by a cardholder's bank or credit card issuer. It allows the cardholder to dispute a charge on their statement and request a refund. Chargebacks are typically associated with unauthorised or fraudulent transactions, billing errors, or situations where the cardholder is dissatisfied with a purchase. Read our article on how to protect your business from chargebacks here . 3. Never click on a link from an unknown source. One of the ways fraudsters acquire account information is through cyber attacks, otherwise known as phishing. This involves the fraudster tricking individuals into revealing banking information such as account passwords or credit card details. Most commonly, the attackers will contact you via email, phone or SMS and either ask you to confirm your account information, or will invite you to click on a link. When clicked, the link might install a virus on your computer, from where the fraudsters can start gaining access to your accounts. If you’re not sure, always proceed with caution. If you receive a request from a known service provider requesting information, contact them through their official customer service channels, not through the message you received. Legitimate Zeller email addresses will all end with ‘@myzeller.com’ and if we contact you via text message, the contact name will automatically appear as ‘Zeller’. 4. Stop using magstripe card readers. A magnetic stripe or ‘magstripe’ is a thin strip of magnetic material that you’ll see on the back of credit and debit cards. The strip contains encoded data, which, when swiped in a magstripe reader, is transmitted to a business’s payment provider, enabling the authorization and processing of the transaction. The problem with this technology (which was invented more than 60 years ago) is that the encoded data is very easy to duplicate. Fraudsters can place small electronic devices called ‘skimmers’ into EFTPOS machines or ATMs for example, and capture credit card information from the magstripe. As a result, chip-based EMV technology has instead become the global standard. EMV cards have an embedded microprocessor chip that is tamper proof and nearly impossible to clone, making it a much more secure alternative. When a customer taps or dips their card, the payment is processed using EMV technology. Zeller Terminal supports both EMV and magstripe transactions, however it will only ever prompt a customer to swipe their card in the cases where a card presented doesn’t have a chip, or if the chip is broken. If you are using an older EFTPOS machine or a mobile card reader, be cautious around customers who insist on swiping their card rather than tapping or dipping it. 5. Be extra-vigilant when taking payments over the phone. Over-the-phone payments, otherwise known as MOTO payments (standing for ‘mail order telephone order)’, give you the ability to manually enter a customer's card details on your Zeller Terminal, or Zeller Virtual Terminal. However, given that the customer is not in front of you, it’s harder to physically verify that the person making the payment is in fact the legal cardholder. Whenever you are processing a payment over the phone, look out for the following: Large orders with unusual quantities being placed by new customers Orders where the card initially declines and the customer continues to provide different card details to complete the transaction Orders where the customer requests payment to be made to a third party (see tip #2 above). Any of the above situations should immediately spark alarm bells. If you are suspicious a transaction may be be fraudulent, or if you are simply taking a MOTO payment from a customer you don’t know, we recommend the following: Take down the card details including the full name Take down the billing address Request ID as a screenshot or photo (if possible) If the products are being shipped, provide tracking details and request the customer’s signature Make sure that the billing address and shipping address are the same, if not, ask why. Also make sure that the name associated with the payment card matches that of the ID. And if your customer is not willing to provide any of the details above, we recommend that you do not proceed with the transaction or accept any type of payment. Keep your business finances safe with Zeller. When you accept payments with Zeller, you’re not alone. Behind every transaction is a team of anti-fraud experts and 24/7 monitoring that – in addition to the best practices outlined above – keeps your account secure. You can transact with confidence knowing that our dedicated team works hand-in-hand with advanced tools to successfully identify and act on suspicious activity. In the event that a chargeback does occur, our payment disputes team is here to support you. We will deal with the bank to help save you hours on the phone, and we will not charge you a fee. Plus, if you’re ever unsure, you can contact our support team from 9AM to 1AM, Australian Eastern Time, and you can read more about how Zeller keeps your business safe here .