Comments on: Send us your credit card number by e-mail

Question: Send us your credit card number by e-mail

devnull — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 23:59:47 -0800

Why is it that so many non-chain hotels take credit card numbers by e-mail ("you can split it over two e-mails for security"). Do the credit card companies not know this?

By: Netzapper

Netzapper — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 01:01:09 -0800

They take credit cards by email because they (like so many small businesses) want to be able to claim to take reservations online, but don't have the technical wherewithal to set up a website with automatic reservation tracking and payment. That automated website being what's necessary to do automated online credit card processing.

"you can split it over two e-mails for security"

People actually say that? Wow.

As for the credit card companies... I don't know that it's actually a violation of the hotels' merchant agreements. I mean, it's legit to send a credit card number via postal mail. So, I kind of figure the companies just figure it's the customer's responsibility not to be an idiot.

By: mmdei

mmdei — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 01:12:24 -0800

It's a violation of the agreement, at least with visa/mc.

By: devnull

devnull — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 03:00:06 -0800

Postal mail requires some effort to mass-intercept.

It seems so widespread that I wondered if visa/mc were turning a blind eye.

By: TheRaven

TheRaven — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 05:12:23 -0800

It is also contrary to the terms of agreement to refuse to take a credit card for small amounts but many businesses do so. It is contrary to the terms of agreement to charge extra for using a credit card but many businesses do so. Visa/MC turn a blind eye to these practices so something as trivial as sending your cc no by email is hardly going to have them frothing at the mouth.

By: meta_eli

meta_eli — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 06:11:40 -0800

It is contrary to the terms of agreement to charge extra for using a credit card but many businesses do so.

In NY, that's not just against the agreement, but illegal. Still happens at half the gas stations.

Anyway, to answer the question: because setting up proper CC processing is a pain, and because they can get away with it

By: damn dirty ape

damn dirty ape — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 06:33:39 -0800

They dont charge extra for credit cards, they charge less for cash. Thats an important distinction that doesnt violate the agreement.

By: nomisxid

nomisxid — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 06:48:50 -0800

DDA, some places don't even bother with the right language.