EMV Cards are on the way - is your business ready?

EMV cards are the next step in credit card security.  Instead of storing account data in a magnetic strip that can be swiped and copied, the data is stored in an electronic chip that encrypts the data uniquely every single time a transaction is made.  No more stories on the news about how a minimum-wage employee sneaked in a skimming device and stole customer data.  Ditto for ATMs and gas pumps.

Article from Forbes, reposted to LinkedIn - EMV Shift will change liability rules for fraud

Overview from BankRate.com

But the method to use these cards in transactions requires a completely different type of card reader to read the chip.  Whether you run a permanent storefront, e-commerce shop online, or are a mobile microbusiness (think food trucks and festivals) YOU are affected and will need to make some changes soon.

Is your payment processor ready?

Square.com:  If you have been to Food Truck Thursdays, you've seen and engaged in the payment processor Square.
EMV Overview from Square

Square devices capable of reading EMV cards are shipping this spring.  Sign up for updates at the link above.  Pre orders of EMV-capable scanners are available for a small fee.

PayPal Here:  Their initial rollout to compete with Square was a tangled cluster and I don't know anyone who uses this variation of PayPal.  But if you do, know that numerous searches have turned up empty for EMV technology.  Methinks the EMV migration will be just as problematic as the initial swipe device rollout.

Intuit/QuickBooks:  Intuit, the producers of Quicken and Quickbooks are promoting Point of Sale (POS) devices that are EMV ready.  If you are using Quickbooks for your sales, check them out now.

For those of you who are strictly e-commerce focused, there won't be much to change.  There will still be card numbers, security codes, and expiration dates that can be entered in your checkout software.

October 2015 is the drop-dead date for the conversion to EMV cards so start planning now!

Include Your Social Media Accounts in Your Final Arrangements

Talking about writing a will has to be one of the top ten most uncomfortable conversations.  But any family that has had to settle an estate will tell you the effort will make the process easier on the survivors.

Social media networks now have procedures in place to close or otherwise address the status of your accounts after your passing.  Some people find comfort in reviewing old posts and photos by their loved one;  others are just creeped out.

For both LinkedIn and Twitter, a next of kin or executor can contact the admin desk and make a request.

LinkedIn:  Deceased LinkedIn Member - Removing Profile
There is a form at the link to fill out and the information they require is:

• The member's name
• The URL to their LinkedIn profile
• Your relationship to them
• Member's email address
• Date they passed away
• Link to obituary
• Company they most recently worked at

Profiles will be completely removed and not preserved

Twitter:  Contacting Twitter about a deceased user or media concerning a deceased family member

The information required to deactivate the account is basically the same as LinkedIn.  However, Twitter also requires that the person reporting the death provide a copy of their legal ID.  AND - all information has to be sent via US Mail to an address listed at the above link.  The process takes a while.

Facebook has taken a proactive approach.  Every member is now permitted to designate a Legacy Contact, who can perform some management tasks after your passing.  They won't be able to post as you, but they can change pictures, decide to download your photos, etc.  

Article from PC World on the new feature

Step by step instructions from Facebook to add a Legacy Contact

Best of all, you don't have to jump through a ton of extra hoops to have an account managed for a deceased person.  The Memorialization Request is simple and just requires a single proof (online obituary, etc) to show the person has actually died.  Once that is confirmed, the Legacy Contact can take over the account per the deceased owner's request.  (More about Memorialized Accounts on Facebook.)

Take a few moments and make future plans for your social media.  It will make the details easier on your survivors.

Help Dunwoody Apartment Residents Displaced by Fire

UPDATE:  Thanks to an enormous outpouring of support, the Dunwoody Glen office is filled to overflowing with contributions.  No more assistance is needed at this time.

The fire at Dunwoody Glen apartments on Peachtree Industrial Boulevard damaged 10 apartments and displaced 30 residents.  True to form, other Dunwoodians are banding together with the apartment managers to help provide for their immediate needs.

The following Facebook post was just made by Councilman Terry Nall.  There are all kinds of ways to assist and all of the needs can be met if everybody picks one.

DROP-OFF InformationAll donations are being collected at Saint Luke’s Presbyterian Church (1978 Mount Vernon Road, Dunwoody, GA 30338).  Donations will be accepted beginning this Sunday February 1, 2015 from 8:30-3:30 and throughout the week during regular church office hours Monday through Friday from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm.

Post by Terry Nall for Dunwoody.