Account Number Truncation

To combat fraud and identity theft, Visa^® and MasterCard^® have established regulations that require merchants to comply with account number truncation. What this means is merchants must suppress — or hide — all but the last four or five digits of a card number when it appears on a printed receipt, as well as the card’s expiration date.

Compliance

Complying may mean you will need a new terminal, an online application – or both. Contact us and our friendly representatives will answer your questions and suggest options for you. While we are always here to assist you, take note that it is your responsibility to comply with all account number truncation laws and payment brand regulations.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is "account number truncation"?
When only the last four or five digits of the cardholder's account number appear on transaction receipts that are printed electronically, it is known as account number truncation. Although requirements may vary depending on the payment brand or the state you operate in, our products can help you comply.

Should I include account number truncation on every receipt?
No. The rules do not apply to manually imprinted receipts or handwritten ones. However, we strongly suggest you use account number truncation for your own copy of the receipt. In some point-of-sale situations, like at a restaurant, you may need your own copy of the receipt in order to re-enter transactions that are lost —during an equipment failure or power outage, for instance. Be aware of changing payment brand requirements, federal regulations and state legislation in order to make informed decisions regarding your own policies.

Why is account number truncation so important?
The goal of account number truncation is to protect cardholder account data. Since the card number and expiration date are hidden when account number truncation is used, this information can’t be stolen or used fraudulently.

How can I determine if my POS terminal is compliant?
Make sure no more than the last four or five digits of the cardholder number appear on the printed receipt. Also, the card expiration date should not appear on the receipt.

What should I do if my terminal is not compliant?
Non-compliance is a violation of payment brand rules, and therefore you should take action to comply immediately. If your POS terminal still prints complete account numbers and/or card expiration dates on the customer or merchant copies of your receipts, contact us for assistance.

How much does it cost to upgrade?
We offer a wide selection of affordable and compliant POS equipment and application software. It’s possible that you may only need a new application to be compliant, or you may require an upgraded terminal. Contact us to learn more.