Web Hosting Talk : Web Hosting Main Forums : Running a Web Hosting Business : How Risky is taking CreditCards through my Merchant Account?

Ok.
I have NO idea how these work.
I checked out the MIVA site but i didnt get too much detail.

Couple Questions About this.

I am selling subscriptions through my site.
Users prepay for a subscription of 'X' amount of months (however many they want).

Now if i use Miva Merchant Software, and VeriSign for the shopping cart and credit card processing.

What risks am i taking?


My biggest question/worry is.
Are all the CreditCard Numbers and all the info stored on MY server? Where somebody could hack it and get all of it and then i get sued to death?

Is it very risky ?
Even if i use good software like Miva Merchant, Have a good Host, and use Excellent Processing service from VeriSign (Payflow Pro)

Thanks So Much.

[Jaiem]

I think it depends how the system is setup. Some systems store it on the server, others encrypt it and send it to someone for off-line processing.

Another "risk" you have is charge back. If someone cancels then decides to charge back on you the cost of what they supposedly already paid.

And then there's the usually risk of CC fraud or unauthorized use.