» Publisher's Corner
Calvin D Johnson

It has been almost 25 years since Harold Kushner published his best selling book When Bad Things Happen to Good People. Even in our businesses and in our own daily lives, this adage remains true. Just ask someone who works or used to work at Delta Air Lines!


While most of the companies and individuals in the transaction processing industry are honest, hard working folks, unfortunately, bad things still happen to good people. All it takes is for one or two bad apples to cast a negative shadow on all of us. As cases in point, just look at the stories concerning ChoicePoint and CardSystems Solutions that we have chronicled here in TPAtlanta in recent issues.


Perhaps you know someone who has been the victim of identity theft or fraud. I know all too personally the pain and aggravation that can result from having a wallet stolen. Today, that kind of petty crime is taking on a new twist - it is one that does not require the perpetrator to be anywhere near the target.

To learn more about a new type of fraud, click here. It is a form of electronic larceny that is so simple in its execution that it boggles the mind of its potential consequences.




Calvin D. Johnson, Publisher
publisher@tpatlanta.com
Trans Atlantic Systems, Inc.
   » Profile/Feature Story
Business peoplePersonal Data Security:The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

A breach in personal data security. These words invoke fear and dread in consumers today. Just how secure is a consumer's private information? The recent security breaches at several large financial institutions and credit card processing companies have not helped to ease the uncertainty and concern.

According to a recent study, approximately 9.3 million Americans had their identity stolen last year. While that's still a relatively small percentage of the population, identity theft is rapidly growing. Even more frightening is the amount of sensitive personal data stored in the marketplace today - and potentially accessible to criminals.

Click here to read more.

   » Editorials/People

CardSystems Solutions - The End 
In August, CardSystems Solutions was notified that it would no longer be authorized to process credit card transactions through selected card association networks.

It's All In The Code 
The Electronic Payments Network(EPN) developed the Universal Payment Identification Code (UPIC), which is currently being used by private and public entities throughout the U.S.

Tony Abruzzio 
Global Payments Inc has recently announced the hiring of Tony Abruzzio as vice president of U.S. Merchant Product Solutions.
   » Industry News
CompuCredit Announces Agreement to Acquire CardWorks

At the end of last month, CompuCredit Corporation (NASDAQ: CCRT), a specialty finance company and marketer of branded credit cards and related financial services, announced their agreement to acquire CardWorks Inc.Click here for more..

Fidelity Merges with Certegy to become Fidelity National Information Services

Fidelity National Financial Inc., the nation's largest title insurance company and a provider of financial institution processing, recently merged with Certegy Inc., a leading check authorization provider.Click here for more..

Publix Takes on Major Credit Card Companies

Publix Supermarkets Inc. recently was added to the list of grocers and drug store chains that have filed a federal lawsuit against MasterCard and Visa.Click here for more..

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