Credit Card Processing Instructions

Written by zhaotingting January 17, 2008 09:56

Overview:

All online and fax filings require payment by credit card.  For online filings, the Credit Card Process will automatically be started when you submit a filing.  For fax filings, the Credit Card Process is triggered by the data entry of the payment information you included on you coversheet.

Security Method:

The payment system accepts credit card payments (Visa and Master Card) using a secure web page and a dedicated credit card sever.  The secure web page uses a Secured Socket Layer 3 (SSL3) protocol to encrypt data that is submitted to the system.  The credit card information is stored as encrypted data in a secured database to prevent unauthorized access to the data. 

You can not start the credit card process independently.  The program can only be started by another part of the system (i.e., online filing).  If you try to start the credit card process without properly submitting an online filing, the system will display an warning message.  This means that you can not bookmark the credit card process then open it directly.  Also, if you leave your browser unattended, the system till time-out and the warning message will appear.

Credit Card Payment Fees:

Two separate fees are processed during a credit card authorization: the filing fee and an expedited fee.  The filing fee amount will vary depending on the type of filing.   For example, the filing fee for a domestic profit corporation annual report is $100.00.  The expedited fee is a service charge that covers the cost of processing and maintaining online data that is made available to the public.

The filing fee and expedited fee are processed as a separate credit card transactions.  You will receive two entries on your credit card bill for each filing: one for the filing fee and another for the expedited fee.   Authorizations for both fees are performed while you wait.  The response time for authorizing both fees can take 30 seconds, or more, depending on the network traffic on the World Wide Web.  Both fees must be authorized.  If one of the fees is not authorized, both credit card transactions will be canceled and the credit card authorization will fail.

Payment Information Entry:

The system will automatically start the credit card process and display the information form.

Payer Information:  The name you enter must be the same the name on the credit card that you are using for payment.  The name must be exactly the same.  If the name is not exactly the same the transaction will not be authorized.  The same is true of the billing address.  It must be exactly the same as the billing address of the credit card.  NOTE:  At this time, only credit cards with a U.S.A. postal address as the billing address are supported.

All information is required.  This includes the full name, address, city, state, 5-digit zip code and telephone number. The credit card processor uses the full name, address, city, state and zip-code information in its Address Verification System (AVS).  The phone number is also required, however it is used for contact purposes.

Payment Information:  Currently, the credit card payment system only accepts Visa and Master Card.  Any other type of credit card numbers or any invalid credit card numbers will not be authorized.  The system detects and determines the validity of each card number and each type of card by using the "LUHN MOD-10 check digit algorithm".

The Security Indicator is required for payment by Visa credit cards.  

• On a Visa card, the security indicator is the non-embossed 3-digit number on the card signature panel found on the back of the card.  In the signature panel, there is a large number (the account number) followed by a separate 3-digit number.  You need the separate 3-digit number.

The card type, expiration month and expiration year are required.  You can select the correct information by clicking on the down arrow on the right side of the box.  Move your pointer to highlight the correct item and click your left mouse button.  The selected item will appear in the box.  NOTE:  If you enter an expired date or invalid card type the system will display a warning.

The filing fee and expedited fees are internally calculated.  You can not change these amounts.  If you try and circumvent this screen to modify the amount, the amount will be ignored and will be properly calculated when the credit card is processed.

After you have types your credit card payment information you can submit the information by clicking the "Submit" button.  If you submit the information, the system will display a review screen.  If you want to cancel the credit card payment process, click the "Cancel" button.  If you cancels the transaction, the system will display a warning page. From the warning page you can click "Retry" to return to the information form to make corrections or click "Cancel" to terminate the transaction.  No payment information will be stored.

Review Screen: 

When you submit the payment information, the system will display a review screen.  Please check to make sure that all of the information is correct.  If something is incorrect, click the "Edit" button to return to the information form.  If the information is correct, click the "Submit" button.  When the reviewed information is submitted, the payment authorization process is initiated.

Authorization:

The credit card is authorized through a secured line.  If the transaction is successfully authorized, the system will display a confirmation screen.

NOTE:  The credit card transaction is authorized directly to the card issuer.  This process may take 30 seconds or more.  online authorization is necessary for the successful submission of a filing.

Possible Errors:

In order to make sure that a payment is correct there are several information checks that occur.  If the system identifies something that is incorrect, it will display a warning.  Here is a list of the problems that may occur.

When this occurs, a warning window will appear.  From this window you can click "Retry" re-enter the information and re-submit for authorization.  You can also elect to cancel the payment transaction by clicking "Cancel".

If the payment system detects any other types of errors, (i.e., card reported stolen, fraud detected), the system will not allow the transaction to continue.