What is a Merchant Account for an Internet Business?
In order for a merchant to accept credit cards for payment on the Internet, the merchant must have an Internet Merchant Account with American Express for American Express Cards (see above) and an acquirer (usually a bank) for bankcard and other card charges. American Express or the merchant acquirer takes on the job of authorizing purchases and making sure the funds are deposited into the merchant’s bank account. VeriSign acts as the channel that moves the credit and charge card transaction from the merchant’s Web site to American Express or to the acquirer’s processing network. VeriSign then receives the results and posts them back to the merchant’s site.
