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Taking payments securely

All your questions answered

  • What kind of card payments can be accepted

  • What security measures are in place

  • Which terminal is right for your business

Plastic cards are the most popular non-cash payment method in the UK*. They allow cardholders to pay for goods and services easily and conveniently, and provide a secure alternative to cash and cheques. More efficient, with reduced risk for businesses, card acceptance makes business easier for you and your customers.

Here we provide answers to the most common questions that our customers ask. We also give you an introduction to the range of terminals offered by Bank of Scotland Merchant Services.

If you would like more information about our range of merchant account services - or if you'd like to apply to take our card acceptance service, we'd be delighted to help.

  • If you are an existing customer you can call us on
    0845 300 0268^ (Mon – Fri, 8.30am to 5.30pm)

  • If you are a new customer you can call us on
    0800 652 5808^ (Mon - Fri, 8.30am to 5.30pm)

What security measures are in place?

  • Cardholder present:
    · Bank of Scotland Merchant Services cardholder present payment solutions are all fully chip and PIN compliant so you can be assured you are taking card payments as securely and safely as possible.

  • Cardholder not present (CNP):
    · There are two layers of security protection. CSC (Card Security Code) consists of the last three digits on the reverse of the credit or debit card. By asking the customer for these, you are reducing the possibility of fraudulent misuse of the cardholder's card details. Similarly AVS (Address Verification Service) allows you to instantly confirm a cardholder's address against their records.

  • E-commerce card processing:
    There are two options for security protection. VbV (Verified by Visa) and MasterCard SecureCode are industry-wide initiatives designed to combat fraud.

To find out more about MasterCard SecureCode and Verified by Visa, and how it can benefit your business, please click on the following links:

Mastercard SercureCode
Verified by VISA

Further information

For further guidance and help on accepting cards for your business, visit the Retailers and Cards website This site has been designed by APACS, the UK trade association for payments and for institutions that deliver payment services to customers.

By using the latest security measures Bank of Scotland Merchant Services will be able to offer you the best rates we can for processing card payments.

For further information on Bank of Scotland Merchant Services, please download a copy of our brochure.

Which terminal is right for my business?

Find out more about the latest terminals we have available.
If you are an existing customer you can call us on 0845 300 0268^ (Mon – Fri, 8.30am to 5.30pm)
If you are a new customer you can call us on 0800 652 5808^ (Mon - Fri, 8.30am to 5.30pm)

Merchant Services is a chargeable service. Terminal leasing is subject to a three year minimum rental agreement. Prices are dependent on terminal type and length of rental agreement.

This service is provided to Bank of Scotland by First Data.

* Source: APACS, May 2008

** APACS 2007. UK Plastic Cards Report.