By embedding Gala’s SOTpay technology into its Merchant Management System, Cardstream has ensured that its rapidly expanding network of reseller Partners and tens of thousands of merchants will have access to the latest ‘digital’ telephony payment technology, as detailed in the PCI SSC ‘Protecting Telephone Payments’ guidelines released in November 2018.

“MOTO merchant operators are vulnerable to damaging levels of chargeback fraud,” said Adam Sharpe, Cardstream’s CEO. “According to recent research a staggering 81% of cardholders admit to exploiting chargeback as an easy way of dodging payment for goods. SOTpay ensures that our Partners’ merchants have full visibility of every MOTO transaction and an audit trail live on their screens that will further protect them against the growing threat of what has come to be known unacceptably as ‘friendly fraud’.”

SOTpay software secures telephone payments by sending a payment link directly to the consumer - either by email or text. The merchant can see in real-time what step the cardholder is on and provide guidance to complete the payment if needed. Cardstream keeps the whole process PCI DSS Level 1 secure.

Without authentication, liability for fraud related chargebacks sits with the merchant, should the transaction be bogus. This, coupled with increased Acquirer processing fees and complex PCI DSS compliance regulations, means that taking secure and compliant CNP MOTO transactions can present a real challenge.

"Paying a business over the telephone is a convenience that many consumers expect, yet few merchants realise how easy it is for criminals to use stolen card data in this channel,” said Jason Mace, Chairman of Gala Technology. “SOTpay is a smart, secure and innovative payment platform that enhances the security of telephone payments. Placing SOTpay’s niche technology in front of Cardstream’s global network of merchants is set to bring them major relief from exploitation of the chargeback system.”

Gala is also benefitting from Cardstream’s white label platform. Its developers use Cardstream’s one-click API that takes their merchants and customers through a seamless online payment process with the SOTpay trusted, trademarked branding.

“As is often the way in the Cardstream ecosystem, SOTpay originally became a Partner to use our white label payment gateway solution. Now we’ve added the option of their service for all our Partners’ merchants,” said Sharpe.