Abstract: Methods and apparatus for recovering a transaction cost in connection with a transaction between a customer and a merchant are provided. The transaction cost may be recovered from a transaction that originates at a merchant location associated with a merchant category code. The transaction cost may be recovered from a low-value purchase. A recovery amount associated with the low-value purchase may include a fixed amount. The recovery amount associated with the low-value purchase may include a percentage of the acceptance cost. The recovery amount may be shared among two or more transaction participant. The recovery amount may be dynamically adjusted. Methods and apparatus may include providing adequate notice of changes in the recovery amount. The transaction cost may be recovered utilizing central control over network of merchant locations.

Abstract: In response to detecting imposition of an erroneous surcharge, a point-of-sale (“POS”) terminal used to impose that surcharge may be disabled. A remote server may be programmed to power down the POS terminal. For example, in response to detecting a surcharge violation, a remote server may transmit a disable signal to the POS terminal that triggered the surcharge violation. The disable signal may power down the POS terminal. The remote server may be programmed to power up a POS terminal or otherwise bring the POS terminal back online. A payment instrument that includes a chip may programmed such that when the chip is inserted into the POS terminal or an associated card reader, it triggers a disabling of the POS terminal. Servers that process transactions may be programmed to ignore or reject transactions received from a POS terminal that triggers a surcharge violation.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for recovering a transaction cost in connection with a transaction between a customer and a merchant are provided. The transaction cost may be recovered from a transaction that originates at a merchant location associated with a merchant category code. The transaction cost may be recovered from a low-value purchase. A recovery amount associated with the low-value purchase may include a fixed amount. The recovery amount associated with the low-value purchase may include a percentage of the acceptance cost. The recovery amount may be shared among two or more transaction participant. The recovery amount may be dynamically adjusted. Methods and apparatus may include providing adequate notice of changes in the recovery amount. The transaction cost may be recovered utilizing central control over network of merchant locations.

Abstract: In response to detecting imposition of an erroneous surcharge, a point-of-sale (“POS”) terminal used to impose that surcharge may be disabled. A remote server may be programmed to power down the POS terminal. For example, in response to detecting a surcharge violation, a remote server may transmit a disable signal to the POS terminal that triggered the surcharge violation. The disable signal may power down the POS terminal. The remote server may be programmed to power up a POS terminal or otherwise bring the POS terminal back online. A payment instrument that includes a chip may programmed such that when the chip is inserted into the POS terminal or an associated card reader, it triggers a disabling of the POS terminal. Servers that process transactions may be programmed to ignore or reject transactions received from a POS terminal that triggers a surcharge violation.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for recovering a transaction cost in connection with a transaction between a customer and a merchant are provided. The transaction cost may be recovered from a transaction that originates at a merchant location associated with a merchant category code. The transaction cost may be recovered from a low-value purchase. A recovery amount associated with the low-value purchase may include a fixed amount. The recovery amount associated with the low-value purchase may include a percentage of the acceptance cost. The recovery amount may be shared among two or more transaction participant. The recovery amount may be dynamically adjusted. Methods and apparatus may include providing adequate notice of changes in the recovery amount. The transaction cost may be recovered utilizing central control over network of merchant locations.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming an auth-process determination for a point of sale (“POS”)-purchase executed using a balance-verified automated clearing house (“ACH”) identifier is provided. The ACH identifier may include identifier information configured as a pointer to a DDA account. A receiver may be configured to receive the balance-verified ACH identifier information and purchase information. The apparatus may retrieve DDA account information using previously-entered DDA account access information. The apparatus may calculate an auth-process determination based on the DDA account information and the purchase information. The apparatus may store, in real time, an auth-process determination indicator in the memory at the POS. The auth-process determination indicator corresponding to the auth-process determination. The apparatus may also cause to display the auth-process determination indicator on a POS screen.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming an auth-process determination for a point of sale (“POS”)-purchase executed using a balance-verified automated clearing house (“ACH”) identifier is provided. The ACH identifier may include identifier information configured as a pointer to a DDA account. A receiver may be configured to receive the balance-verified ACH identifier information and purchase information. The apparatus may retrieve DDA account information using previously-entered DDA account access information. The apparatus may calculate an auth-process determination based on the DDA account information and the purchase information. The apparatus may store, in real time, an auth-process determination indicator in the memory at the POS. The auth-process determination indicator corresponding to the auth-process determination. The apparatus may also cause to display the auth-process determination indicator on a POS screen.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for allocating transaction liability are provided. Transaction liability may include a risk that the transaction may incur a post-authorization charge, such as a fraud investigation and/or a chargeback. The transaction liability may be allocated among one or more transaction participants. Transaction liability may be allocated based on a stock-keeping-unit of an item purchased by customer that initiates the transaction. Transaction liability may be allocated based on an amount of the transaction. Transaction liability may be allocated based on a merchant category code identifier assigned to a merchant. Transaction liability may be allocated based on a location of a merchant. A default allocation of transaction liability may be re-allocated among transaction participants based on level of verification performed by a transaction participant at a point-of-sale.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for allocating transaction liability are provided. Transaction liability may include a risk that the transaction may incur a post-authorization charge, such as a fraud investigation and/or a chargeback. The transaction liability may be allocated among one or more transaction participants. Transaction liability may be allocated based on a stock-keeping-unit of an item purchased by customer that initiates the transaction. Transaction liability may be allocated based on an amount of the transaction. Transaction liability may be allocated based on a merchant category code identifier assigned to a merchant. Transaction liability may be allocated based on a location of a merchant. A default allocation of transaction liability may be re-allocated among transaction participants based on level of verification performed by a transaction participant at a point-of-sale.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for risk mitigating transaction authorization are provided. A transaction participant may responds to a request for transaction authorization with “PIN Entry Required,” and restrict signature based transaction authorizations. The risk mitigating transaction authorization may be transmitted for a transaction based on a stock-keeping-unit of an item included in a purchase. The risk mitigating transaction authorization may be transmitted for a transaction based on an amount of the transaction. The risk mitigating transaction authorization may be transmitted for a transaction based on a merchant category code identifier assigned to a merchant and/or a location of a purchase.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for allocating transaction liability are provided. A first transaction participant may be may be immunized from undesirable effects of fraud/chargebacks associated with a transaction if information responsive to a level of verification is submitted directly to a second transaction participant. The transaction may be an on-us transaction or may be associated with any issuer. The second transaction participant may include a payment guarantee provider. The information may be routed to the second transaction participant via a proof-of-verification network. Transactions that are associated with a level of verification may be subject to variable interchange rates. The interchange rates or level of immunization from fraud/chargeback may vary with respect to the level of verification performed by the first transaction participant.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for risk mitigating transaction authorization are provided. A transaction participant may responds to a request for transaction authorization with “PIN Entry Required,” and restrict signature based transaction authorizations. The risk mitigating transaction authorization may be transmitted for a transaction based on a stock-keeping-unit of an item included in a purchase. The risk mitigating transaction authorization may be transmitted for a transaction based on an amount of the transaction. The risk mitigating transaction authorization may be transmitted for a transaction based on a merchant category code identifier assigned to a merchant and/or a location of a purchase.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for allocating transaction liability are provided. Transaction liability may include a risk that the transaction may incur a post-authorization charge, such as a fraud investigation and/or a chargeback. The transaction liability may be allocated among one or more transaction participants. Transaction liability may be allocated based on a stock-keeping-unit of an item purchased by customer that initiates the transaction. Transaction liability may be allocated based on an amount of the transaction. Transaction liability may be allocated based on a merchant category code identifier assigned to a merchant. Transaction liability may be allocated based on a location of a merchant. A default allocation of transaction liability may be re-allocated among transaction participants based on level of verification performed by a transaction participant at a point-of-sale.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for risk mitigating transaction authorization are provided. A transaction participant may responds to a request for transaction authorization with “PIN Entry Required,” and restrict signature based transaction authorizations. The risk mitigating transaction authorization may be transmitted for a transaction based on a stock-keeping-unit of an item included in a purchase. The risk mitigating transaction authorization may be transmitted for a transaction based on an amount of the transaction. The risk mitigating transaction authorization may be transmitted for a transaction based on a merchant category code identifier assigned to a merchant and/or a location of a purchase.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for allocating transaction liability are provided. A first transaction participant may be immunized from undesirable effects of fraud/chargebacks associated with a transaction if information responsive to a level of verification is submitted directly to a second transaction participant. The transaction may be an on-us transaction or may be associated with any issuer. The second transaction participant may include a payment guarantee provider. The information may be routed to the second transaction participant via a proof-of-verification network. Transactions that are associated with a level of verification may be subject to variable interchange rates. The interchange rates or level of immunization from fraud/chargeback may vary with respect to the level of verification performed by the first transaction participant.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for recovering a transaction cost in connection with a transaction between a customer and a merchant are provided. The transaction cost may be recovered from a transaction that originates at a merchant location associated with a merchant category code. The transaction cost may be recovered from a low-value purchase. A recovery amount associated with the low-value purchase may include a fixed amount. The recovery amount associated with the low-value purchase may include a percentage of the acceptance cost. The recovery amount may be shared among two or more transaction participant. The recovery amount may be dynamically adjusted. Methods and apparatus may include providing adequate notice of changes in the recovery amount. The transaction cost may be recovered utilizing central control over network of merchant locations.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for recovering a transaction cost in connection with a transaction between a customer and a merchant are provided. The transaction cost may be recovered from a selected region within a geographic area. The selected region may be a customer location. The selected region may be a merchant location. The selected region may be any suitable region. The transaction cost may be recovered utilizing central control over network of merchant locations. The transaction cost may be recovered during a selected time. Apparatus may include an application that allows a selection of a time and/or geographic region for recovery of the transaction cost.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus may include a calculator for use in determination of a cost of acceptance associated with a purchase and/or group of purchases. The calculator may determine one or more surcharge attributes based on input provided by a transaction participant and one or more transaction fee rules. Apparatus and methods may include a device for dynamically adjusting the transaction cost based on a change in a surcharge attribute. Apparatus and methods may include determining a transaction cost by obtaining authorization services from one interchange provider and final settlement with a second interchange provider. Apparatus and methods may implement a secondary market for trading bundled transactions associated with specified surcharge attributes.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for auditing a transaction record are provided. The transaction record may correspond to a credit card transaction. The auditing may include identifying a surcharge violation. The surcharge violation may be an unlawful surcharge. The auditing may identify patterns of double surcharging. Transaction-level auditing may include ensuring that a surcharge is returned upon a product return. A mobile wallet application may allow consumers to access and/or report merchant surcharge compliance activity. Functionality may include surcharge receipt scanning for use in crosschecking authenticity of a consumer report. Additional crosscheck functionality provided by geographic location support. Embodiments may include a registry for merchants that certify their surcharge calculations.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for auditing a transaction record are provided. The transaction record may correspond to a credit card transaction. The auditing may include identifying a surcharge violation. The surcharge violation may be an unlawful surcharge. The auditing may identify patterns of double surcharging. Transaction-level auditing may include ensuring that a surcharge is returned upon a product return. A mobile wallet application may allow consumers to access and/or report merchant surcharge compliance activity. Functionality may include surcharge receipt scanning for use in crosschecking authenticity of a consumer report. Additional crosscheck functionality provided by geographic location support. Embodiments may include a registry for merchants that certify their surcharge calculations.