FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

How to start

How should I prepare my website to accept payments?

Assuming that you already have a website with your privacy policy, security, and terms of service. Prepare documents that clearly state what are your websites policies on security, purchase deliveries, returns, refunds, etc. – and make them visible on your website. No less important is preparing a complete description of your products or service including high quality pictures, precise descriptions, pricing, and cost of delivery. Do not forget to present contact information on your website – mail, contact form, or telephone number.

What is a merchant account?

A merchant account is a type of bank account opened by an acquiring bank (also called acquirer). It allows businesses to accept card payments and perform other card related operations (such as authorizations, refunds, resales, etc.).

Access to a merchant account is usually provided by a separate institution (payment gateway/provider). It can be considered “an interface” to a merchant account and usually provides a number of other payment services. Please note that merchants do not have direct access to merchant accounts – these are just meant to be used with card operations. Funds stored on a merchant account are paid out within specific time periods to a regular company account (as specified in an agreement with the merchant).

How do I avoid currency exchange charges during international transactions?

The best way to avoid currency exchange charges is to know your customers. Being aware of where your customers come from or what type of customer you want to target is key. If most of your services are in Europe, it may be better to open an account in Euros; if your target customers are in the Unites States, then an account in USD may be best. However, you may want to offer both EUR and USD to your customers. In that case it is best for you to choose both of these as settlement currencies as well and provide PeP with bank account numbers in EUR and USD. That way you avoid currency exchange during payouts. Otherwise, if you choose to process transactions in EUR and USD but give us only the EUR account number – it will be your bank that will exchange those different currencies into the main currency that your account is in.

How can I get my own test account?

Simply visit PeP’s website  and create the account. The test account will allow you to test everything exactly the way it works – the only difference will be that you won’t be able to make any actual payments.

For more information on our test account read: Test account in PeP’s system

What is an acquiring bank?

An acquiring bank (or acquirer) is an institution that opens and maintains merchant accounts for businesses willing to accept card payments. It exchanges funds with card holders’ banks and pays out funds to the merchant on a basis specified by an appropriate agreement. An acquirer also accepts the risk that the merchant will remain solvent over time, which is why it takes a lot of interest in the merchant’s business to determine the probability of refunds and positive account balance.

What is a rolling reserve?

The rolling reserve is a portion of the merchant’s income that is kept for a certain amount of time as a fail-safe in case your business has too many refunds, chargebacks, or fails to send a product to the customer. For example, if you have too many refunds, you may be considered a “risky business”. For example, an acquirer may have frozen 10% of the merchant’s income in January and paid it out in July; the 10% frozen in February will be paid out in August, and so on.

What does it mean that Pep is a payment institution?

We cooperate with a group of well-established foreign acquirers who possess already proven expertise. It has been for the time being that Polish banks have not offered merchandising accounts; however, we regularly monitor the market to finally be able to offer them the most favourable conditions ever. Should our clients find an offer of any of the Polish banks attractive, we will certainly include it into our portfolio.

What are the implications of referring to PeP sp. z o.o. as a payment institution?

Pep being a payment institution can receive deposits and make cash payments from a payment account, execute payment transactions, direct debits and credit transfers, and issue such payment tools like credit cards. As a Payment Institution, PeP accepts merchants from across the whole SEPA (Single Euro Payments Area) region. However, we also offer services to merchants from other parts of the world with different models (e.g. PayPal, SOFORT, giropay, American Express, etc.).

What is an issuing bank?

An issuing bank (or issuer) is a bank that offers card related services directly to consumers. It offers payment cards (e.g. credit cards as extensions of lines of credit), allowing consumers to pay for goods, and issues payments to acquiring banks on their behalf (hence the name).

What are transaction descriptors?

Transaction descriptors are descriptions on card and bank statements that help your customers identify their purchases. In most cases, apart from the numbers that identify certain transactions, customers will also find the payment provider’s name. Providing such information as product name, company name, or customer service number can help your customer reach you in case he does not recognize a transaction.

What are the benefits of paying with a card?

Not only is paying by card convenient, it is also secure. 3-D secure, chargebacks, and other services can protect your funds. You can build a credit history if you have a credit card, which in turn will allow you to purchase using that credit. It is fast and easy with technology like single click or recurring payments.

Who stores the card data?

All needed and allowed card information is stored by secure Polskie ePłatności Online systems. Merchants do not store such data due to security standards (including PCI). They can refer to specific cards using ID numbers from PeP Online systems in order to process payments. This way they don’t have to take the responsibility for storing their customers card data.

Can Polskie ePłatności Online store credit card data?

Of course we can. In our Card Data Storage that stores customers’ card information in a completely secure and PCI compliant way. Thanks to CDS your customers may conveniently pay for your products or services without the need to enter card information every time. It’s quite enough if they enter such information only once. The data is going to be stored using CDS and every next purchase will use it (of course customers may save multiple cards).

What happens depends on what you feel most comfortable with. Storing data on your own means that you will have to go through audits and you have to be prepared to have all the necessary security measures taken cared of (PCI compliance and SSL). However, if that seems like too much you can count on Polskie ePłatności Online! We offer this service for free and we take all the necessary precautions to make sure that your customers’ data is safely stored.

What is Card Data Storage?

Card Data Storage is a PeP Online service that allows to store customers’ card information in a completely secure and PCI compliant way.

Thanks to CDS your customers may conveniently pay for your products or services without the need to enter card information every time. It’s quite enough if they enter such information only once. The data is going to be stored using CDS and every next purchase will use it (of course customers may save multiple cards).

This is a very important and convenient feature. Thanks to CDS merchants don’t have to store card information and take the responsibility for such sensitive data or go through periodical security audits.

What is a chargeback and how does it work?

A chargeback is a request from the customer to return their money. This usually happens when fraud has been committed and a consumer doesn’t recognize a transaction on his or her statement. It also happens when a customer is not happy with their purchase (It arrived damaged, it did not arrive in time, a different product was sent than paid for, the order never arrived).

When a customer is not satisfied with their order, they can request their money back. By issuing a chargeback, the merchant has a certain amount of time to prove that they did in fact fulfill their duty to the customer.

In a case where a chargeback is denied, no money has to be given back, but the merchant still has to pay the chargeback fee. If the chargeback is approved, the merchant not only has to return the money, but is also fined. Also – the more chargebacks, the higher the risk that a business will lose its trust and in turn can be shut down.

What is the difference between a chargeback and a refund?

A chargeback is initiated by the card holder and can (but doesn’t have to) result in a return of funds. It’s the bank’s duty to determine whether such a request was reasonable.

A refund is a payment operation initiated by the merchant, it refers to a specific card transaction and allows to return the whole or part of the transaction amount

How do I avoid chargebacks?

Avoiding chargebacks is an easy thing to do! All it requires is a few preventative tactics like:

  • A well written and placed on a website, Terms of Service. Be sure to include exactly what your policy on shipping, sales, and returns is.
  • Transaction descriptors – include a phone number where your business may be reached in case your customer doesn’t recognize a transaction.
  • Keep in touch with your customers.
  • Send confirmation email and keep track of all the transactions that go through your website.

What are the ways to implement payments on my website?

Just open the registration page and open an account following the instructions provided on the page. When a test account is open, you may test all the functionalities on an actual (production) account; the only difference is that you may not accept any actual payments.

Which programming language do I need to know to integrate with Polskie ePłatności Online?

You can integrate with PeP Online using any programming language you like. Currently we offer API clients written in PHP, Python, and Ruby, but you can also create a wrapper to our REST API in your favorite programming language.

What is API?

An acronym “API” stands for Application Programming Interface. In other words, it entails a set of programming tools which a specific environment delivers externally to users that intend to connect and communicate. As for our needs, API allows to apply mechanisms that are embodied in the systems implemented by Polskie ePłatności Online which, for example, ensure that a payment is processed or a credit card is authorized. For these processes to be simplified, what we offer our clients, apart from API, is also widgets (PeP Online (PayLane) REST Client) and sample codes in various programming languages; they are applied to simplify the integration with PeP Online (and, just notice that some job has already been done for you). Curious and want more? Then, read the information we have prepared for you on API sub-page.

What does integrating through API look like?

You can start by creating a testing account. This means that you don’t have to actually process real payments. With a testing account you can run tests and see if chosen and integrated by you features really work. On your side you will need a developer who will be able to implement different codes to see if the integration went through successfully. Code examples have been created by our team for you to learn how to integrate and create a payment form with ease using PHP, Python, Ruby, or any other programming language.

What are the requirements to integrate with Polskie ePłatności Online using API?

PeP Online API gives more possibilities and flexibility, but requires the know-how. Besides that, you will need an SSL certificate for the website on which you’ll be accepting payments. You will also need to be PCI compliant as a merchant but we take care of that for you.

What is Secure Form?

Secure Form is one of the ways merchants can integrate with PeP Online. It’s a payment form created and hosted by Polskie ePłatności Online. As a merchant, you only have to redirect your customers to the payment form during the checkout process. After they submit the payment, they’ll be redirected back to your website.

The form itself can be active in up to four different languages (English, Polish, German, and Spanish), all of the payment methods chosen by you are available, and the design is based on our default PeP Online form or a customizable one. The Secure Form is also available in a mobile version.

Read more:

Where will I find code examples?

An acronym “API” stands for Application Programming Interface. In other words, it entails a set of programming tools which a specific environment delivers externally to users that intend to connect and communicate. As for our needs, API allows to apply mechanisms that are embodied in the systems implemented by Polskie ePłatności Online which, for example, ensure that a payment is processed or a credit card is authorized. For these processes to be simplified, what we offer our clients, apart from API, is also widgets (PeP Online) and sample codes in various programming languages; they are applied to simplify the integration with PeP Online (and, just notice that some job has already been done for you). Curious and want more? Then, read the information we have prepared for you on API sub-page.

What will I find in the Merchant Panel?

The Merchant Panel is composed of various tabs which have three main functions: sales, technical, and billing. In the panel you can find information like your transaction history, invoices, current rates, etc.

I have a test account, but the Secure From doesn't work. What's wrong?

If you want to return customer’s money, either the whole amount or just a part of it, you have to perform a refund, it allows you to return funds in reference to a specific transaction. In order to perform a refund, you must know the transaction ID number.

This ID number identifies the transaction in PeP’s systems. You can easily retrieve this number while performing the transaction.

For specific information and examples visit our Developer Zone.

How do I perform a refund?

If you want to return customer’s money, either the whole amount or just a part of it, you have to perform a refund, it allows you to return funds in reference to a specific transaction. In order to perform a refund, you must know the transaction ID number. You can find it in Merchant Panel.

Do I need transaction notifications?

Transaction notifications are not required to process a payment, so it’s really up to you whether to implement them or not. However, it’s a recommended and good practice.

Are there any test card or account numbers to use while implementing/testing your API?

Yes, we have a list of such test numbers. They can be found in our DevZone.

Why are my test payments declined?

Yes, we have a list of such test numbers. They can be found in our DevZone.

How do I generate an invoice for a specific transaction?

Our software automatically generates an invoice for every transaction, you can find your invoices in the “Sales” tab in the Merchant Panel. Once you click on a specific transaction you will see a “generate invoice” button.

What e-commerce plugins are available in Polskie ePłatności Online?

If a payment amount is proven by any chance to be an error code number, our API re-forwards this error instead of payment confirmation. This functionality is active only on test accounts (and simplifies their implementation); but any transaction amounts can be indicated on a real account.

How do I implement e-commerce plugins?

Information on how to download and implement plugins can be found in our Developer Zone

What are automated recurring payments and how to use them?

PeP Online offers the most popular e-commerce plugins such as: Magento, osCommerce, Zen Cart, OpenCart, and PrestaShop; you can integrate in seconds just by checking out our DevZone. Additionally, we support WordPress, one of the most popular open-source blogging tools and CMS; and Shoplo, an online store platform.

What are settlement and transactions currencies and how do they differ?

Information on how to download and implement plugins can be found in our Developer Zone

How to choose a settlement currency?

It’s best to determine how many currency conversions you can expect and choose the settlement currency to minimize them, this way you will avoid unnecessary costs.

For example, if you expect that most of your payments will be in pounds sterling, it will probably be quite reasonable to set up a merchant account in GBP. It may be also be good to open a company account in GBP as well – this way you’ll not only minimize currency conversions during purchases, but also avoid them during the payout.

What kind of payment methods does Polskie ePłatności Online offer?

Polskie ePłatności Online offers:

  • card payments (credit cards, debit cards, pre-paid cards etc.),
  • direct debit,
  • wire transfers,
  • PayPal,
  • and numerous other payment methods.

Apart from payment methods that are well known around the world, there are also many payment methods popular on specific markets or in specific countries. Systems such as SOFORT BANKING, giropay or iDEAL are perfect to increase income on certain European markets (the same goes to branded cards, etc.). If you want to know more, simply contact us.

Do you accept merchants from my country?

Every case is different and it’s always best if you contact us directly in that matter. However, it’s safe to say that at present time we can accept merchants from countries listed below.

  • Andorra,
  • Austria,
  • Belgium,
  • Bulgaria,
  • Croatia,
  • Cyprus,
  • Czech Republic,
  • Denmark,
  • Estonia,
  • Finland,
  • France,
  • Germany,
  • Gibraltar,
  • Greece,
  • Greenland,
  • Hungary,
  • Ireland,
  • Iceland,
  • Isle of Man,
  • Italy,
  • Latvia,
  • Liechtenstein,
  • Lithuania,
  • Luxembourg,
  • Malta,
  • Monaco,
  • Netherlands,
  • Norway,
  • Poland,
  • Portugal,
  • Romania,
  • San Marino,
  • Slovakia,
  • Slovenia,
  • Spain,
  • Sweden,
  • Switzerland,
  • United Kingdom

Please note that if your country is not on the list, it doesn’t necessarily mean we cannot accept your business – contact us and perhaps we’ll manage to find a solution.

What are the possible fees?

This all depends on the payment methods you choose. In most cases there’s a standard fee that is a sum of transaction fee and commission fee. The transaction fee is a fixed value, and commission fee is a percent value (it varies depending on the transaction amount).

Most of our payment services (like recurring billing or single-click payments) are free of charge, although several (e.g. 3-D Secure) may require additional fees. We also don’t charge any set up fees, although in many cases there may be a monthly fee.

It’s always best if you contact us directly, so we can provide you with more specific insight that pertains to your case

How do repeating transactions in APO work?

If a bank declines a transaction, APO automatically begins to check other accounts in other banks (or just one if all of them are located in it) until it reaches a bank that approves the transaction.

What businesses are fit for APO?

Automatic Payment Optimizer is for big merchants with multiple accounts, in different banks.

Waht is MO/TO?

MOTO stands for Mail Order Telephone Order and is a type of card payment. Instead of purchasing on a website, a customer may phone the retailer, place an order, and pay by providing card data over the phone (the same can be done with mail). It’s another type of card not present transaction, appreciated for its convenience and mobility (consumers don’t need Internet access if they choose to pay with a phone call).

What is Virtual Terminal and where to find it?

A Virtual Terminal is usually a payment form that allows the initiation of a payment. Such forms are often used with MOTO services (a person receiving the order via a phone call uses the Virtual Terminal to perform a payment on the card holder’s behalf). PeP Online offers its own Virtual Terminal for merchants – you can find it in the Merchant Panel.

Do you allow mobile payments?

Yes, it’s possible to implement payments via mobile devices with Polskie ePłatności Online. However, every case is different and a lot of elements have to be taken into account (for example whether the case is in accordance with Apple regulations), so it’s always best if you contact us and discuss your needs individually.

Which businesses are considered high risk?

Acquiring banks and other financial institutions consider some lines of business as more risky than others. It’s based on their experience with such companies and business models. Most common high risk businesses those of are pharmaceutical, gambling, or erotic nature, but quite often also others, like e.g. software (due to the fact that it’s difficult to prove anything in case of any disputes).

Of course this always depends on a specific case and institution, so we recommend simply asking us directly whether or not we can provide your business with payment services.

What is CVV/CVC?

CVV stands for Card Verification Value and CVC is short from Card Verification Code (you can also encounter other acronyms that usually define the same thing: CVV2/CVC2, CIDCVDCVVC). It’s a security number printed on a payment card and not stored in the chip or magnetic stripe. If a customer provides the code during a purchase, it means that they actually possess the physical card (they wouldn’t be able to get the code without the card).

This security mechanism is designed to avoid fraudulent transaction (e.g. using stolen card numbers) with card not present transactions. Usually the CVV/CVC is a three digit number printed on the back of the card; only American Express cards have a four digit number printed on the front of the card.

What is 3-D Secure?

It’s an additional security mechanism used with cards that are enrolled with the 3-D Secure program. It’s mostly optional but there are cases (specific card types in specific countries) where it’s required.

The mechanism is simple – it’s an additional step during the online card payment process. A customer is redirected to a bank website where they have to enter a specific security code.

What is AVS?

AVS stands for Address Verification System and is a security mechanism used with online card payments. The main idea is to compare the provided address information with the customer billing information associated with the card. AVS is designed to minimize fraudulent non face-to-face cards transactions.

The system is also flexible enough to allow simple mistakes (for example making a typo in a street name doesn’t have to be considered a typo) and define the sensitivity using a variety of result codes. AVS is available only in specific countries.

What is GeoIP?

GeoIP is a security mechanism that determines the card holder’s location. Such data is very useful (especially when compared to a transaction history) and allows to detect fraudulent payments or mark them as suspicious.

What is PCI DSS?

PCI DSS stands for Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards – it’s a standard developed in order to ensure the security of card data. Companies that have a PCI DSS certificate must obey specific rules and fulfill requirements (technical, procedural, etc.) defined by the PCI Security Standards Council.

The certificates differ depending on the company type, for example payment processors get fully and thoroughly audited, whereas retailers only have to confirm that they have fulfilled specific requirements.

What is SSL and when do I need to have it on my website?

SSL stands for Secure Socket Layer and is a cryptographic protocol that ensures security of transferred data. A proper certificate for a domain may be purchased if there’s a need for special security.

You will need such a certificate if you want to accept payments on your website using Pep Online’s API. Since your customers will enter sensitive data (e.g. card or address information) on your website instead of our Secure Form, you need to provide extra security for the data that will be sent from your website to our payment systems.

Do you have a mobile library and code samples?

PeP Online clients can now take advantage of the first version of an Android application PeP GO! This application enables the users to sell their product or service in any place. The only thing needed to make a transaction is a smartphone.

For businesses that want to create or already have their own mobile application Polskie ePlatnosci has created app libraries and an array of Android codes to help integrate payment methods and the payment process into the existing application. Customers will no longer need to leave an application in order to pay for their purchase.

For businesses that already have a website or store in a mobile version, PeP has prepared a responsive payment form. This solution fits customer’s device regardless of the resolution, with all the desired payment methods in place. The seller doesn’t need to integrate special solutions for smartphones and tablet users. If a store owner wants to keep customers and bypass redirecting, PeP is offering a way to integrate through API.

Czy dostępne są biblioteki mobilne i przykłady kodu?

Tak. Biblioteki, przykłady wykorzystania kodu zebrane zostały na stronie Developer Zone

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