ProPay, a comprehensive provider of simple, safe and affordable merchant payment solutions, today announced a breakthrough product for the millions of mobile, small, and home-based merchants who accept credit and debit card payments in face-to-face transactions.

ProPay’s patent-pending process includes the credit or debit card information being encrypted at swipe and stored in coded form for later processing or being transmitted and processed real-time through ProPay’s secure virtual terminal from any Internet-connected PC.

“We believe the MicroSecure Card Reader has the potential to change the face of the transaction industry,” said Greg Pesci, ProPay Executive Vice President of Business Strategy. “Because the cardholder information is encrypted at swipe and then securely transmitted and processed though our virtual terminal, this is the first truly secure, end-to-end card processing solution we are aware of.”

Released at an introductory price of US$99 plus a small monthly support fee, the ProPay MicroSecure Card Reader is also affordable.

Market research shows that more than 6.9 million small and mobile merchants run credit and debit card transactions. Since its recent launch, over 2,000 home party consultants, mobile service providers, schools, charities, fund raisers, fast food restaurants, and door- to-door sales people have purchased and are using the ProPay MicroSecure Card Reader to quickly and securely capture and process their customers’ credit and debit cards.

“This goes well beyond helping these merchants avoid the risks and headaches of writing down cardholder information for later processing.” added Mr. Pesci.  “We find most don’t fully appreciate the PCI requirements and risks they and their acquirers bear. Rather than expecting these smaller merchants to spend vast sums of money on PCI compliance or to learn how to secure their systems from every possible breach, they can use the ProPay MicroSecure Card Reader to remove cardholder data from their systems altogether. By removing the data, they can remove most, if not all, of the cardholder data security risks.”

To purchase the ProPay MicroSecure Card Reader or to obtain more information, please go to ‘MicroSecure Card Reader’.

About ProPay
Since 1997, ProPay has led the market in providing simple, safe and affordable credit card processing and electronic payment services for businesses, ranging from the small, home-based entrepreneur to multi-billion-dollar enterprises.

ProPay understands the unique needs of these businesses and has created payment services specifically for them. With ProPay, merchants can set up an account online and rapidly begin accepting credit cards without buying special equipment and making long-term commitments or investments. ProPay leads out in educating merchants of every size about how to reduce or eliminate the risk of touching or holding sensitive cardholder data. The company also leads the payments market in the development of end-to-end data security solutions and alternative payment options that can significantly reduce risks and operating costs.

ProPay is a privately held company, headquartered in Orem, Utah.

For more information, visit www.propay.com.

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PR Contacts:
Cheryl Snapp Conner or Don Osmond
Snapp Conner PR
801 994-9625
Cheryl (at) snappconner.com or don (at) snappconner.com

Managing Partner Cheryl Snapp Conner said the agency finalized plans to purchase space that will become the agency’s new headquarters at the Jordan Professional Plaza, 1258 W. 104th S.

Snapp Conner PR plans to move into its new location around Dec. 1.

The appointment of Maloy brings nearly 20 years of PR experience to Snapp Conner PR. He has served in both agency and corporate capacities for global companies including Dayna Communications, Iomega Corporation, Plantronics, Maxtor, Cobalt Networks (Sun), silex technology, Travelers, ArtStamps, Podfitness, and others. Most recently, he served as Senior Director of Public Relations/Corporate Communications for MediConnect Global. Prior to MediConnect, Maloy served for two years as Senior VP for PR and ad firm Adams & Knight in CT.

You can find Maloy on LinkedIn at http://tinyurl.com/6rllzg

In addition to serving as a senior strategist for Snapp Conner’s growing roster of clients, Maloy will play a lead role in the business development efforts that will be essential for the agency’s next phase of growth.

“We are extremely pleased to welcome Cory to our senior executive team,” said Conner. “I have had the great opportunity to work directly with Cory and also to collaborate with him during many of his prior roles. I know the extent of his experience and background first hand, and I know that our clients will benefit greatly from the strategy and knowledge he brings. Our whole team looks forward to working with him.”

About Snapp Conner PR
Snapp Conner PR provides all aspects of strategic and tactical PR execution for companies in the technology, health and wellness and life sciences space. Snapp Conner PR assists organizations in creating and executing PR programs to achieve maximum possible business results. For more information about Snapp Conner PR please visit www.snappconner.com.

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PR Contacts:
Cheryl Snapp Conner or Jeremy Kartchner
Snapp Conner PR
801 994-9625
Cheryl (at) snappconner.com or jeremy (at) snappconner.com

“We are extremely pleased to be the first alternative payment option that eBay has integrated with as a part of their effort to move entirely to paperless transactions,” said Greg Pesci, ProPay Executive Vice President of Business Strategy. “Moving all eBay purchases to an electronic method will help expedite the purchase process, and potentially reduce complaints and negative buyer feedback. ProPay is looking forward to providing alternative merchant services to help improve the buying/selling experience. We welcome the opportunity to support the advanced eBay power sellers, who we anticipate will benefit most from the comprehensive payment solutions we provide.”

According to eBay, items paid for with check or money order are 80 percent more likely to result in an item not received (INR) than those paid with credit card. Also, buyers who pay with check or money order are 50 percent more likely to leave negative feedback than those who pay with electronic methods. eBay hopes to reduce these numbers by integrating more electronic payment offerings in order to make the checkout process faster and more reliable for sellers and buyers.

ProPay Accounts and Pricing

eAuction Account
With today’s announcement, ProPay has unveiled the ProPay eAuction Account for eBay Silver power sellers and higher.  It will be available from ProPay in late October. It will have a $24 annual fee ($2 per month, billed annually at sign up), with a $24 rebate processing credit offered to sellers who process $3,000 or more with ProPay during their first 6 months after signing up. The transaction fees will be very similar to competitors’ virtual terminal transaction fees.

ProPay is fully integrated into eBay checkout. Buyers do not provide their banking information or log into or sign up for ProPay accounts. Buyers simply enter their credit or debit card information, making their checkout quicker and easier.  And many buyers prefer paying with credit cards because of the convenience, broader protection and rewards.

In early 2009, the eAuction account is expected to be available for Bronze power sellers.

eAuction Pro Account
Late this year, ProPay will unveil the eAuction Pro Account for eBay Silver power sellers and higher who sell on eBay and need additional, specialized services for processing credit and debit cards in face-to-face and other situations. This account will add processing options such as ProPay’s:
-    online virtual terminal
-    touch-tone phone processing
-    e-mail invoice
-    direct API integration
-    secure card reader

The annual fee for this account will be $240 ($20 per month, billed annually upfront at sign up).  The transaction fees will be identical to the eAuction account and very similar to competitors’ virtual terminal transaction fees.

ProPay Card Reader
ProPay’s secure card reader allows sellers to remotely “swipe” and process credit cards safely. The card holder information is immediately encrypted and, with an internet connection, processed real time through ProPay’s virtual terminal.  If internet access is not available, the information is stored for later processing, eliminating the need to manually record or key in credit card information.

For more details about these ProPay accounts and fees, please go to www.propay.com.

About ProPay
Since 1997, ProPay has led the market in providing simple, safe and affordable credit card processing and electronic payment services for businesses ranging from the small, home-based entrepreneur to multi-billion-dollar enterprises.

ProPay understands the unique needs of these businesses and has created merchant services specifically for them. With ProPay, merchants can set up an account online and begin accepting credit cards without buying special equipment and making long-term commitments or investments. ProPay leads out in educating merchants of every size about how to reduce or eliminate the risk of touching or holding sensitive cardholder data. The company also leads the payments market in the development of end-to-end data security solutions and alternative payment options that can significantly reduce risk and operating costs.

ProPay is a privately held company, headquartered in Orem, Utah. For information, visit www.propay.com.

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PR Contacts:
Cheryl Snapp Conner or Don Osmond
Snapp Conner PR
801 994-9625
Cheryl (at) snappconner.com or don (at) snappconner.com