Method and device for merchant authentication
Conducting payment card transactions through a payment network through a card reader with a merchant authentication code attached. A payment is processed in connection with a transaction using a payment card. Prior to approving the transaction, the payment card holder is contacted and requested to provide the merchant authentication code. If the merchant authentication code provided by the payment card holder is consistent with the merchant authentication code affixed to the device, approving the transaction. The merchant authentication code may be text, a bar code, a quick response code, a hologram or other code. The merchant authentication code may include information regarding the merchant such as location, business name and the like.
1. A method for authenticating a merchant comprising:
assigning a merchant authentication code to a merchant's card reader, wherein said card reader is connected to a payment network, and wherein information regarding the merchant may be derived from the merchant authentication code;
receiving the merchant authentication code from a payment card holder;
providing information regarding the merchant to the payment card holder whereby the payment card holder can authenticate the merchant.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein the merchant authentication code is represented by a graphic and the payment card holder provides a picture of the merchant authentication code when requested.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein the merchant authentication code is represented by a bar code.
4. The method of claim 1 wherein the merchant authentication code is represented by a quick response code.
5. The method of claim 1 wherein the merchant authentication code is represented by a hologram.
6. The method of claim 1 wherein the merchant authentication code includes information regarding the location of the merchant.
7. The method of claim 1 wherein the merchant authentication code includes information regarding the merchant's identity.
8. The method of claim 1 wherein the merchant authentication code includes information regarding the name of the merchant's business.
9. A device for authenticating the identity of a merchant comprising:
a card reader connected to a payment network, the card reader having an assigned merchant authentication code, wherein information regarding the merchant may be derived from the merchant authentication code; and
wherein a payment card holder can provide the merchant authentication code assigned to the card reader and, in response, receives information regarding the merchant so that the payment card holder can authenticate the merchant.
10. The device of claim 9 wherein the merchant authentication code is represented by a graphic and the payment card holder provides a picture of the merchant authentication code when requested.
11. The device of claim 9 wherein the merchant authentication code is represented by a bar code.
12. The device of claim 9 wherein the merchant authentication code is represented by a quick response code.
13. The device of claim 9 wherein the merchant authentication code is represented by a hologram.
14. The device of claim 9 wherein the merchant authentication code includes information regarding the location of the merchant.
15. The device of claim 9 wherein the merchant authentication code includes information regarding the merchant's identity.
16. The device of claim 9 wherein the merchant authentication code includes information regarding the name of the merchant's business.
17. A method for authenticating a merchant in a payment card transaction comprising:
assigning a merchant authentication code to a card reader connected to a payment network, wherein information applicable to transactions processed through the card reader may be derived from the merchant authentication code;
either prior to or after a payment card is processed through the card reader, receiving the merchant authentication code assigned to the card reader from a payment card holder; and
when the payment card holder's payment card is processed through the card reader in a proposed transaction, if the information regarding the transaction included in the merchant authentication code provided by the payment card holder is consistent with the proposed transaction, approving the proposed transaction.
18. The method of claim 17 wherein the merchant authentication code is represented by a graphic and the payment card holder provides a picture of the merchant authentication code when requested.
19. The method of claim 17 wherein the merchant authentication code is represented by a bar code.
20. The method of claim 17 wherein the merchant authentication code is represented by a quick response code.
21. The method of claim 17 wherein the merchant authentication code is represented by a hologram.
22. The method of claim 17 wherein the merchant authentication code includes information regarding the location of the merchant.
23. The method of claim 17 wherein the merchant authentication code includes information regarding the merchant's identity.
24. The method of claim 17 wherein the merchant authentication code includes information regarding the name of the merchant's business.
25. A device for authenticating the identity of a merchant comprising:
a card reader connected to a payment network, the card reader having an assigned merchant authentication code, wherein information applicable to transactions processed through the card reader may be derived from the merchant authentication code; and
wherein prior to authorizing a proposed payment card transaction processed through the card reader, contacting the payment card holder and requesting that the payment card holder provide the merchant authentication code assigned to the card reader and, if the information included in the merchant authentication code provided by the payment card holder is consistent with the proposed payment card transaction, approving the proposed payment card transaction.
26. The device of claim 25 wherein the merchant authentication code is represented by a graphic and the payment card holder provides a picture of the merchant authentication code when requested.
27. The device of claim 25 wherein the merchant authentication code is represented by a bar code.
28. The device of claim 25 wherein the merchant authentication code is represented by a quick response code.
29. The device of claim 25 wherein the merchant authentication code is represented by a hologram.
30. The device of claim 25 wherein the merchant authentication code includes information regarding the location of the merchant.
31. The device of claim 25 wherein the merchant authentication code includes information regarding the merchant's identity.
32. The device of claim 25 wherein the merchant authentication code includes information regarding the name of the merchant's business.