Glossary

Card processing activities

Any activity that involves storing, processing, or transmitting cardholder data whether in paper or electronic format, either directly or through an agent (e.g. through a third party such as a software provider or hosting service).

Cardholder data

Full magnetic stripe data or the Primary Account Number plus any of the following:

  • Cardholder name
  • Expiration date
  • Service Code
Chargeback Notification This is the official notice for a chargeback.  The notice provides sales information and a deadline for a response.  There is a $9.00 fee from the Merchant Bank for this notice regardless of resolution.
Chargeback summary Provides a status report of Chargebacks issued to the Merchant.  No response is required.

Service code

Three- or four-digit number on the magnetic-stripe that specifies the acceptance requirements and limitations for magnetic-stripe read transactions.

Credit card

Payment method that allows the cardholder to make payments for goods and services and receive cash through credit from the card-issuing bank.

Debit card

Payment method that allows the cardholder to make payments through direct withdrawal from the cardholder’s bank account.

Charge card

A credit card which requires payment in full upon receipt of the statement.

Merchant

Any University entity that participates in card processing activities.

Merchant account

An account established by contractual agreement between a merchant/business and a bank or payment gateway.

Merchant Card Coordinator

University position that serves as the interface between the merchant bank and merchants.  The Merchant Card Coordinator provides support, training, and general service to merchants in all areas relating to payment card processing (e.g., reconciliation, disputes, compliance).

Payment cards

Credit cards, debit cards, and charge cards issued by a financial institution.

Payment gateway

A service provided by a billing processor, which allows credit card information to be collected and passed over the internet. A payment gateway can be thought of as a digital equivalent to a credit card processing terminal. Some payment gateways establish or resell merchant accounts.

Primary account number (PAN)

The payment card number (credit or debit) that identifies the issuer and the particular cardholder account.

Privileged Access

Access to more than one card number at a time, as opposed to access to a single card number for purposes of completing a transaction (Thus, the term describes positions such as database administrators of systems that house cardholder data, but not cashiers handling one card at a time).

Magnetic stripe data

Data stored on the magnetic stripe on the back of payment cards.  Magnetic stripe, or “magstripe,” data contains the cardholder's name, account number, encrypted PIN, and other discretionary data.

Request for Transaction Documentation Customer does not recognize the transaction and requests additional information from the merchant such as a signed sales receipt.  Notice will have a deadline for response.  Customer still has the option of disputing the transaction with a Chargeback Notification then being issued. There is no charge for this request from the Merchant Bank

Wireless technology

Includes any technology used to transmit data without a physical connection.