Frequently Asked Questions

  1. What is TSYS CounterPASSSM? CounterPASS is a PC-based application used to securely process credit card transactions at the point of sale. CounterPASS brings all of the functionality of a traditional point-of-sale terminal to a PC, with a multitude of added benefits.
  2. What equipment do I need to process with CounterPASS? A computer that meets the minimum requirements and a high-speed Internet connection. You will also need a card swipe reader, a PIN pad and a printer.
  3. Can I keep using my computer for various office tasks or will it exclusively run CounterPASS? You can use other programs on your computer concurrently when using CounterPASS.
  4. What credit cards are accepted? All major credit cards are accepted, including Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express, Diner's Club and JCB.
  5. Are debit cards accepted? CounterPASS supports both Signature and PIN-debit.
  6. What other transaction types are supported? Recurring payments, voids and returns are all supported by CounterPASS.
  7. What fraud features does CounterPASS provide? CounterPASS provides Address Verification System (AVS), Cardholder Identification (CID) and (Card Verification Value) CVV2 verification services. In addition, all cardholder data is stored at a secure host and no cardholder data resides on the PC.
  8. How long does it take to process a transaction? A typical transaction processes in seconds when using the recommended high-speed Internet connection.
  9. Can multiple employees use CounterPASS? There is no limit to the number of employees with permission to process transactions with CounterPASS. Each employee will be assigned a unique ID and password to access the application.
  10. Do I need to batch out every night? No, CounterPASS automatically sends batches out every day from the secure host server.
  11. Who can I contact if I have problems with my CounterPASS application and hardware? Your CounterPASS support team is available 24/7.
  12. What devices are certified with the PASS product?
    The following devices can be used with the CounterPASS product:
  • Magtek Mini MSR P/N 21040102 Card Reader (requires a USB Port)
  • Verifone 1000 SE Pin Pad (requires a USB port)
  • Verifone SC5000 Pin Pad/Card Reader (requires an RS232 serial port)
  • Citizen S2000 Printer (requires a USB port)
  • Verifone 250 Printer with Cable P/N 10765-00 REV C (requires an RS232 serial port)