It’s going to take a while, but there are changes in store in the medical collections industry in the US. The three credit reporting giants – Equifax, Experian and TransUnion – are changing the way medical collections cases in the US are treated which will undoubtedly result in improved customer support. The changes stem from…
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The 3 Keys to Pharmacy Merchant Accounts
Credit card processing for the industry of pharmacy – online, MOTO or point of sale (POS) – can be a difficult thing to obtain. The industry has drawn its share of fraud – merchants who aren’t selling what they’re advertising – to the extent that some credit card brands temporarily ceased processing credit card transactions.…
Collection Agencies Prove Important to US Economy
For an industry that is unpopular among lawmakers and card associations, the collections industry seems vital to the U.S. economy, putting more money into the wallets of consumers. With 77 million Americans having debt in collections, it is no wonder that the billion dollar industry has some affect on the economy. But what does this…
Why the Feds Want Limits on Payday Lenders
The dispute between the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and payday lenders is kind of like the old Tom & Jerry cartoons. Tom, the angry cat, sets a trap to catch Jerry, the elusive, clever mouse. Jerry finds a way around the trap. Tom improvises and thinks of a new scheme. Jerry adjusts and squeezes his…
CFTC Forex Credit Card Ban in Effect
The Commodities Futures Trading Commission’s (CFTC) ban on the use of credit cards for U.S. forex transactions, announced in early December, took effect on Saturday, Jan. 31. The forex credit card ban came about to protect ill-informed retail forex investors from fast and mounting debt and was welcomed by members of the National Futures Association.…
Winklevoss Twins Look to Start Bitcoin Exchange
In their most recent endeavor, Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss are looking to move bitcoin ($273 USD) further into the mainstream by creating a bitcoin exchange in the U.S. Reportedly titled “Gemini,” they are heralding the project as the “Nasdaq for bitcoin.” Could a new, regulated bitcoin exchange save the digital currency from falling prices? What…
Eased Embargo Opens Door for Cuban Cigar Merchant Accounts
Instabill has long provided credit card processing for tobacco merchants. With less restriction on the US trade embargo against Cuba, Instabill is working hard to offer Cuban cigar merchant accounts to tobacco entrepreneurs looking to capitalize on renewed relations between the two countries. As of Friday, Jan. 16, the US and Cuba became open for…
New Law Affects Flavored E-Liquid Packaging
New legislation in the State of New York was passed recently requiring flavored e-liquid distributors to house their products in childproof containers. This legislation comes shortly after the death of a toddler who accidentally consumed a tube of e-liquid. While harmless in vapor form, swallowing a tube of e-liquid can cause illness for adults, and…
E-Commerce Holiday Sales Up 16% in 2014
This year’s holiday season saw a sizable boost in e-commerce holiday sales, jumping from $52 billion in 2013 to $61 billion in 2014. Studies show that greater desktop e-commerce sales and mobile commerce sales contributed to the growth, continuing the trend of shoppers turning away from brick-and-mortar stores in favor of online shopping. With greater…
Can US Merchants Benefit From Eased Cuba Embargo?
There is a long way to go before Starbucks, Dunkin Donuts and Walmarts start popping up all over Cuba, but it’s safe to say the entrepreneurial wheels are already turning. With President Barack Obama’s surprise announcement Wednesday, it is never too early for US merchants to start thinking about the opportunities resulting from the eased…