First Data Mobile Pay Review

Fast and secure, Mobile Pay turns your existing smartphone into a functional payment processing terminal. You can accept payments anywhere that there is wireless coverage with your current cell phone data plan provider. Mobile Pay is ideal for businesses that are on-the-go or don’t have a traditional store, such as transportation services, plumbers and repair services, artists, delivery services, and anyone who accepts payments at tradeshows or fairs. With mobile processing becoming more popular, how do you know which one to go with? This First Data Mobile Pay review will shed some light on whether it’ll be a good fit for you. 

Note that Mobile Pay is not the same thing as First Data’s Clover Go. That profile is available here: Clover Go by First Data. 

Using First Data Mobile Pay

The user-friendly app is fast to learn, and supports all major credit cards, including MasterCard, Visa, Discover, and American Express. You can also take signature-based debit cards. The Mobile Pay app is downloadable onto Android, Blackberry, and iPhone devices, and an optional encrypted card reader plugs directly into your phone, allowing you to swipe cards. For most processors, swiped transactions are charged at a lower rate than keyed transactions, meaning lower costs for you. (And encrypted security for your customers.) First Data also offers a Mobile Pay web-based browser, allowing you to simply enter the Mobile Pay URL and transmit customer card information through the internet.

Mobile Pay Features

The Mobile Pay solution boasts payment processing in real-time and email receipts automatically sent to the customer as soon as the transaction goes through. You can optionally send text receipts to customers, or send yourself a copy of the receipt when it’s sent to the customer. Additionally, you can view sales history, issue refunds, add items from your inventory to a transaction, search payments, and record cash sales. You’ll also have the ability to set multiple tax rates for times when they accept payments in more than one state, and can add tips to payments.

The sturdy, encrypted card reader fits standard 3.5mm headphone jacks and measures 0.7” H x 1.9” W x 1.9” L.

Security

Mobile Pay offers several security features to protect cardholders and businesses, including industry-standard Secure Socket Layer (SSL) encryption. Additionally, Mobile Pay offers fraud protection tools, and features a secure log-in for merchants, requiring a username and password. Card numbers are automatically shortened when swiped or entered manually, to protect against possible fraud.

Costs and Pricing

The cost of the reader itself varies depending on where you purchase it. Readers are usually available directly from the credit card processing company that you work with to take payments. The credit card processor will also be the one to set your pricing per transaction for using the reader. If you’re not currently processing and looking for a quote to use Mobile Pay, check out CardFellow’s free quote request tool for no-obligation quotes with no sales pressure. If you’re currently processing, you can check in with your processor to see if they can support Mobile Pay and set you up to take payments using your smartphone or tablet. 

Helpful Links

App in the Google Play Store
App in the iTunes App Store