Glossary
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E-Cash: Electronic cash is a payment mechanism designed for the Internet. It is electronic money that can be passed along from person to person like cash. It is anonymous like cash, and has value immediately. It's cash, not a promise to pay later.
E-Check: The electronic equivalent of a paper check.
Electronic Banking: A form of banking in which funds are transferred through an exchange of electronic signals between financial institutions, rather than an exchange of cash, checks or other negotiable instruments.
Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT): The provision of government entitlement programs to those individuals who are entitled to receive such entitlements or benefits through the use of magnetically striped or other cards capable of storing information regarding cardholders and capable of accessing ATM and POS Terminals to receive distribution of such entitlements or benefits.
Electronic Bill Delivery: A bill delivery system offered by Visa Interactive that allows banks to send consumers their bills through their personal computers or via telephone lines. This system now allows consumers to transfer funds through their bank to the billing agent itself.
Electronic Bill Payment (E-pay): An alternative to paper checks for paying bills. Consumers can use PCs, telephones, screen phones or ATMs to send electronic instructions to their bank or bill payment provider to withdraw funds from their accounts and pay merchants. Payments may be made either electronically or by a paper check issued by the bill payment provider.
Electronic Bill Presentment (EBP): The electronic delivery of vendor requests for payment. Vendors send consumers their bills via PCs, telephones or screen phones.
Electronic Cash Register (ECR): A system which functions most efficiently and effectively for large businesses with many registers in single or multiple locations. Provides a direct, computer-to-computer linkup between the First Data host and the merchant's host.
Electronic Check Acceptance(℠) or ECA: A system that captures banking information off a paper check and converts it into an electronic item processed through the Automated Clearing House network. With ECA, checks are processed similarly to credit cards, and the paper check is returned to the consumer at the point of sale.
Electronic Commerce (E-commerce): The transacting of business electronically rather than via paper.
Electronic Data Interchange (EDI): The electronic communication of business transactions; specifically the exchange of trade-related documents, such as purchase orders, invoices and corporate Electronic Funds Transfer (EFTs) in a standard format. With EDI, electronically transmitted data replaces paper documents in the business accounts receivable cycle.
Electronic Draft Capture (EDC) Terminal: Also referred to as Electronic Data Capture terminal. A point-of-sale device that reads information encoded in the bankcard's magnetic stripe, performs authorization functions, stores transaction data, and batches and transmits that data to the acquirer for processing. The stored transactions are used to create settlement files and transaction reports.
Electronic Financial Services (EFS): Financial services that are provided via electronic delivery channels (e.g., PCs, telephones, screen phones and ATMs). These services may be transaction and/or information oriented and may be provided by bank and non-bank providers.
Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT): A transfer of funds between accounts by electronic means rather than conventional paper-based payment methods. EFT is any financial transaction originating from a telephone or electronic terminal, or from a computer or magnetic tape.
Electronic Funds Transfer at the Point of Sale: The technology and practice of making payments for goods and services by means of electronic funds transfer initiated at the point where goods and services are purchased.
Electronic Mail (E-mail): A system where a computer user can exchange messages with other computer users (or groups of users) via a communications network.
Electronic Point of Sale: A point-of-sale merchant with electronic equipment for pricing and recording transactions, but not necessarily incorporating functions for electronic funds transfer.
Eligible Deposit: U.S. currency, checks and money orders payable in U.S. currency and drawn on or payable by a bank, savings bank, savings and loan association or credit union, or branch thereof located in the United States, and deposited for credit to a STAR Cardholder's Deposit Account. Foreign (non-U.S.) currency and items payable in foreign (non-U.S.) currency, items drawn on or payable by an institution or other person located outside the United States, items with passbooks attached, photocopies, certificates of deposit, banker's acceptances, and nonnegotiable writings are not Eligible Deposits. Returned or canceled checks or drafts are not Eligible Deposits.
Eligible Non-U.S. Country: A foreign (non-U.S.) country which has been approved by STAR as a country in which International Members may be headquartered and under whose laws an International Member may be organized.
Eligible STAR Internet Merchant: A STAR Internet Merchant at which an Acquirer Member is authorized by the STAR Network to apply a Convenience Fee to STAR Internet Transactions.
Eligible STAR Transaction: A STAR Transaction to which a Convenience Fee may be applied. Eligible Transactions are limited to the following types of STAR Transactions:
• Withdrawal;
• Cash Advance;
• Purchase (not including a STAR MoneyGram Send Transaction);
• Preauthorization Completion;
• Internet Purchase;
• PIN-less Utility Bill Payment; and
• Internet Utility Bill Payment.
Eligible Terminal: A STAR Terminal at which an Acquirer Member is authorized by the STAR Network to apply a Convenience Fee to STAR Transactions. A POB Terminal is not an Eligible Terminal.
Embossing: The process of printing data, in the form of raised characters, on the bankcard. Provides identification of the card and allows the imprinting of sales drafts.
Encryption: The technique of scrambling data automatically in the terminal or computer before data is transmitted for security/anti-fraud purposes.
Encryption Keys: A mathematical value that is used in an algorithm to transform clear text to cipher text and cipher text to clear text. For definitions of specific keys, such as Master File Key and Zone Control Master Key, refer to Appendix J of these Rules and ANS X9.24.
Encryption Service Organization (ESO): An ESO is an organization or individual that is not a Member or Processor of the STAR Network but that provides services to a Member that include: (i) loading software into a STAR Terminal or STAR Internet Device; (ii) loading or injecting Encryption Keys into PIN Pads, STAR Internet Devices, or Authentication Tokens; (iii) providing merchant help desk support which includes reprogramming of terminal software, programming of STAR Internet Merchant Web sites and/or Internet Payment Screens; or (iv) providing STAR Account Holder help desk support, including but not limited to assisting STAR Account Holders with their STAR Internet Devices.
Enveloping: A process whereby documents of the same type or purpose are grouped together, bound, and sent to the same destination into an electronic envelope. This is done by an electronic data interchange management software function.
EPAN: A PAN assigned to a STAR Account Holder to uniquely identify such Account Holder and used in a STAR Internet Transaction using eSign Authentication Program Authentication. The ePAN is generally distinct from a STAR Cardholder's PAN associated with his/her STAR Card.
eSign Authentication Program: An Authentication Program supported by the STAR Network for STAR Internet Transactions whereby the Account Holder initiates STAR Internet Transactions using an Account Holding Member issued Authentication Token, and the Authentication Token is authenticated by the Account Holding Member.
Exception Fee: A fee established by the STAR Network from time to time to cover the administrative expenses associated with exception processing.
Exception Item: An Adjustment, Chargeback or Representment initiated in accordance with these Rules to correct a STAR Transaction processing error or a disputed STAR Transaction.
Expiration Date: The date embossed on a bankcard, beyond which the card becomes invalid.
External Auditor: See “Approved Auditor.”
Extranet: A Web site that links businesses to consumers, suppliers, etc., for electronic commerce. These sites usually provide more consumer-specific information than public sites and may have security devices such as passwords for a user to gain access to more sensitive information.
E-Check: The electronic equivalent of a paper check.
Electronic Banking: A form of banking in which funds are transferred through an exchange of electronic signals between financial institutions, rather than an exchange of cash, checks or other negotiable instruments.
Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT): The provision of government entitlement programs to those individuals who are entitled to receive such entitlements or benefits through the use of magnetically striped or other cards capable of storing information regarding cardholders and capable of accessing ATM and POS Terminals to receive distribution of such entitlements or benefits.
Electronic Bill Delivery: A bill delivery system offered by Visa Interactive that allows banks to send consumers their bills through their personal computers or via telephone lines. This system now allows consumers to transfer funds through their bank to the billing agent itself.
Electronic Bill Payment (E-pay): An alternative to paper checks for paying bills. Consumers can use PCs, telephones, screen phones or ATMs to send electronic instructions to their bank or bill payment provider to withdraw funds from their accounts and pay merchants. Payments may be made either electronically or by a paper check issued by the bill payment provider.
Electronic Bill Presentment (EBP): The electronic delivery of vendor requests for payment. Vendors send consumers their bills via PCs, telephones or screen phones.
Electronic Cash Register (ECR): A system which functions most efficiently and effectively for large businesses with many registers in single or multiple locations. Provides a direct, computer-to-computer linkup between the First Data host and the merchant's host.
Electronic Check Acceptance(℠) or ECA: A system that captures banking information off a paper check and converts it into an electronic item processed through the Automated Clearing House network. With ECA, checks are processed similarly to credit cards, and the paper check is returned to the consumer at the point of sale.
Electronic Commerce (E-commerce): The transacting of business electronically rather than via paper.
Electronic Data Interchange (EDI): The electronic communication of business transactions; specifically the exchange of trade-related documents, such as purchase orders, invoices and corporate Electronic Funds Transfer (EFTs) in a standard format. With EDI, electronically transmitted data replaces paper documents in the business accounts receivable cycle.
Electronic Draft Capture (EDC) Terminal: Also referred to as Electronic Data Capture terminal. A point-of-sale device that reads information encoded in the bankcard's magnetic stripe, performs authorization functions, stores transaction data, and batches and transmits that data to the acquirer for processing. The stored transactions are used to create settlement files and transaction reports.
Electronic Financial Services (EFS): Financial services that are provided via electronic delivery channels (e.g., PCs, telephones, screen phones and ATMs). These services may be transaction and/or information oriented and may be provided by bank and non-bank providers.
Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT): A transfer of funds between accounts by electronic means rather than conventional paper-based payment methods. EFT is any financial transaction originating from a telephone or electronic terminal, or from a computer or magnetic tape.
Electronic Funds Transfer at the Point of Sale: The technology and practice of making payments for goods and services by means of electronic funds transfer initiated at the point where goods and services are purchased.
Electronic Mail (E-mail): A system where a computer user can exchange messages with other computer users (or groups of users) via a communications network.
Electronic Point of Sale: A point-of-sale merchant with electronic equipment for pricing and recording transactions, but not necessarily incorporating functions for electronic funds transfer.
Eligible Deposit: U.S. currency, checks and money orders payable in U.S. currency and drawn on or payable by a bank, savings bank, savings and loan association or credit union, or branch thereof located in the United States, and deposited for credit to a STAR Cardholder's Deposit Account. Foreign (non-U.S.) currency and items payable in foreign (non-U.S.) currency, items drawn on or payable by an institution or other person located outside the United States, items with passbooks attached, photocopies, certificates of deposit, banker's acceptances, and nonnegotiable writings are not Eligible Deposits. Returned or canceled checks or drafts are not Eligible Deposits.
Eligible Non-U.S. Country: A foreign (non-U.S.) country which has been approved by STAR as a country in which International Members may be headquartered and under whose laws an International Member may be organized.
Eligible STAR Internet Merchant: A STAR Internet Merchant at which an Acquirer Member is authorized by the STAR Network to apply a Convenience Fee to STAR Internet Transactions.
Eligible STAR Transaction: A STAR Transaction to which a Convenience Fee may be applied. Eligible Transactions are limited to the following types of STAR Transactions:
• Withdrawal;
• Cash Advance;
• Purchase (not including a STAR MoneyGram Send Transaction);
• Preauthorization Completion;
• Internet Purchase;
• PIN-less Utility Bill Payment; and
• Internet Utility Bill Payment.
Eligible Terminal: A STAR Terminal at which an Acquirer Member is authorized by the STAR Network to apply a Convenience Fee to STAR Transactions. A POB Terminal is not an Eligible Terminal.
Embossing: The process of printing data, in the form of raised characters, on the bankcard. Provides identification of the card and allows the imprinting of sales drafts.
Encryption: The technique of scrambling data automatically in the terminal or computer before data is transmitted for security/anti-fraud purposes.
Encryption Keys: A mathematical value that is used in an algorithm to transform clear text to cipher text and cipher text to clear text. For definitions of specific keys, such as Master File Key and Zone Control Master Key, refer to Appendix J of these Rules and ANS X9.24.
Encryption Service Organization (ESO): An ESO is an organization or individual that is not a Member or Processor of the STAR Network but that provides services to a Member that include: (i) loading software into a STAR Terminal or STAR Internet Device; (ii) loading or injecting Encryption Keys into PIN Pads, STAR Internet Devices, or Authentication Tokens; (iii) providing merchant help desk support which includes reprogramming of terminal software, programming of STAR Internet Merchant Web sites and/or Internet Payment Screens; or (iv) providing STAR Account Holder help desk support, including but not limited to assisting STAR Account Holders with their STAR Internet Devices.
Enveloping: A process whereby documents of the same type or purpose are grouped together, bound, and sent to the same destination into an electronic envelope. This is done by an electronic data interchange management software function.
EPAN: A PAN assigned to a STAR Account Holder to uniquely identify such Account Holder and used in a STAR Internet Transaction using eSign Authentication Program Authentication. The ePAN is generally distinct from a STAR Cardholder's PAN associated with his/her STAR Card.
eSign Authentication Program: An Authentication Program supported by the STAR Network for STAR Internet Transactions whereby the Account Holder initiates STAR Internet Transactions using an Account Holding Member issued Authentication Token, and the Authentication Token is authenticated by the Account Holding Member.
Exception Fee: A fee established by the STAR Network from time to time to cover the administrative expenses associated with exception processing.
Exception Item: An Adjustment, Chargeback or Representment initiated in accordance with these Rules to correct a STAR Transaction processing error or a disputed STAR Transaction.
Expiration Date: The date embossed on a bankcard, beyond which the card becomes invalid.
External Auditor: See “Approved Auditor.”
Extranet: A Web site that links businesses to consumers, suppliers, etc., for electronic commerce. These sites usually provide more consumer-specific information than public sites and may have security devices such as passwords for a user to gain access to more sensitive information.