Choosing the right merchant services provider

As a business owner, providing your customers with convenient and secure payment options and how you intend to accept payments is not only important, but also saves you time, money and valuable resources. That's why choosing the right merchant services provider is critical. Here are four key questions to ask.

Is the provider reputable and reliable? A cheaper service usually isn't worth it if your cash flow could be jeopardized by interruptions or unreliable service.

What fees are involved? Fee structures vary among providers. Be wary of fees and other costs in addition to the advertised discount rate. If you focus solely on the discounted rate, your actual fees may be higher than you bargained for.

How is equipment handled? Are credit card terminals bought, leased or rented? Low advertised discounted rates may result in higher fees on the sale, lease or rental of the equipment. Consider what option works best for your business – keep in mind expected usage and quantity of terminals needed.

What level of service can you expect? When questions or problems arise with your credit card terminals, timely service and support is invaluable. Find out whether customer service is local, national (via a toll-free number) or both, and what costs you might expect.

Merchant services you can count on
American Savings Bank offers payment acceptance solutions that benefit your customers and your business. For your customers – the convenience of not having to carry cash or write a check. For your business – streamline payment processing with:

• Reliable processing. American Savings Bank's state-of-the-art credit card processing equipment can handle all equipment servicing and can help you control the costs of credit card processing.
• Next-day deposits. Your Visa^® and MasterCard^® transactions are electronically deposited into your American Savings Bank business checking account the next business day.
• Easy equipment rental terms. Equipment rental gives you flexibility to upgrade equipment that might otherwise become obsolete.
• Local, dependable customer service. Our merchant services representatives provide professional training, troubleshooting assistance and handle all equipment servicing.

Look to the Experts
Choosing a financial institution with expertise and resources in payments processing can be critical to your bottom line. For more information about how our merchant services program can benefit your business, call us at 1-888-214-1848 or visit us at asbhawaii.com.

VoIP scams
Phishers find new ways to reel people in
By Kenneth H. Newman, Vice President, Security

If you use e-mail or the Internet, you've probably heard about phishing scams – fraudulent e-mails and look-alike Web sites that try to trick you into revealing personal information such as account numbers and passwords. Phishing thieves are constantly looking for new ways to obtain your personal information and have recently discovered a new way to perpetuate fraud, through VoIP (Voice-over-Internet Protocol) telephony.

What is VoIP?
VoIP technology allows you to make telephone calls using an Internet connection instead of a regular phone line.

Unlike traditional phone networks, which operate over dedicated equipment that is difficult for outsiders to penetrate, VoIP converts the voice signal from a telephone to a digital signal that can travel over the Internet. That means VoIP calls may be vulnerable to the same types of security problems that can occur online.

How do phishers use VoIP?
Scammers can use VoIP and automated dialing systems to call large numbers of people and leave messages claiming to be from a bank or other financial institution. The message asks individuals to call a telephone number to talk with a "bank representative." In some cases, the individual receives an e-mail from the scammers, asking him or her to call the bank at the number provided.

When consumers call the number, they hear a fraudulent automated voice system that may sound similar to the bank's. The automated system instructs the caller to enter an account number and personal identification number (PIN). Once the scammers have the information, they can use it to commit fraud and identity theft.

Protect yourself from phishing
At American Savings Bank, the security of your financial accounts is our number one priority. Remember that we will NEVER ask you for your account number, PIN or password information in an e-mail or by phone.

The articles and opinions in this publication are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual. We suggest that you consult your attorney, accountant, financial or tax advisor with regard to your individual situation. Entire publication ©American Savings Bank 2006. All rights reserved.