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Merchant Services and Credit Card Processing

Payment Processing Industry News – March 2024

Mar 27, 2024

Payment Processing Industry News - March 2024 Our team here at Merchant Cost Consulting is always keeping our finger on the pulse in the payments world. Whether it’s a processor increase or a card network update, new technology, or an acquisition, we compile the...

Charge Card vs. Credit Card: What’s the Difference?

Mar 26, 2024

Charge Card vs. Credit Card: What's the Difference? The terms “charge card” and “credit card” are often used interchangeably, but they are not the same. This is a common mistake, as both charge cards and credit cards are used to make purchases and they look nearly...

How to Find Your Merchant ID in PayPal

Mar 25, 2024

How to Find Your Merchant ID in PayPal If you’re using PayPal to sell goods and services or collect payments for your business, some instances may arise when you need to locate your PayPal merchant ID. This guide will explain everything you need to know about PayPal...

How Long Do You Have to Dispute a Credit Card Charge?

Mar 21, 2024

How Long Do You Have to Dispute a Credit Card Charge? The Quick Answer: Under US federal law, consumers can legally dispute a credit card charge within 60 days of the statement date. But each credit card network has its own dispute rules, allowing cardholders to...

11 Valid Reasons to Dispute a Credit Card Charge

Mar 19, 2024

11 Valid Reasons to Dispute a Credit Card Charge When an unrecognized charge appears on a credit card statement, cardholders have the right to dispute it. But distinguishing between valid reasons and invalid reasons for disputes isn’t always clear—which is why we...

What is an Issuing Bank?

Mar 17, 2024

What is an Issuing Bank? The Quick Answer: An issuing bank is a financial institution that issues credit or debit cards to consumers. Also known as an “issuer” or “card issuing bank,” these organizations distribute cards on behalf of credit card companies—acting as an...

What is a Payment Gateway? (and How it Works)

Mar 13, 2024

What is a Payment Gateway? A payment gateway securely transmits sensitive payment information from a customer's issuing bank to each party involved with a card transaction. Payment gateways connect the merchant’s payment portal (like a website) to the acquiring bank...

Fullsteam Payments Rate Increases and Updates (2025)

Mar 8, 2024

Fullsteam Payments Rate Increases and Updates (2025) Fullsteam Payments regularly updates its rates and fees for merchants. In an effort to keep pace with these constant changes, we created this guide to provide our readers with these updates whenever they’re...

The Complete Guide to Interchange Fees and Rates

Mar 2, 2024

The Complete Guide to Interchange Fees and Rates (2024) If your business accepts credit cards, then I’m sure you’ve heard of interchange fees. You’ve probably even seen these fees listed on your credit card processing bill. Surprisingly, most business owners don’t...

12 Ways to Accept Online Payments in 2025

Feb 26, 2024

12 Ways to Accept Online Payments in 2025 Getting paid online isn’t as difficult today as it was in the past. In fact, it’s pretty straightforward and easy for anyone to figure out. But deciding how you’re going to get paid online is another story. What types of...