PCI Compliance and iPayment(1st National Processing)

Here is the disclaimer on the PCI Compliance web site that 1st National Processing clients are forced to use:
I have read the Terms and Conditions and I understand that by checking the “I Accept” box I am authorizing the PCI charge on my merchant account on file with Merchant Services to purchase the Merchant Services PCI Management tool as specified in the details of my Self Assessment Questionnaire (SAQ) filled out via this website.

Does anyone else object to agreeing to pay fees that are not specified until after you have authorized the fees being charged to your bank account? I called iPayment, the company that does the merchant services for 1st National and asked that they send me a letter or email defining the charges, and they said to ask 1st National. I asked 1st National, and they said it is not their fee, it is iPayment's fee, so they can verify how much it is or if there may be any other fees charged later. I also asked them why I could not complete the Self Assesment Questionnaire and Attestation of Certification provided by the PCI Council to satisfy their compliance requirement. I was simply told that I had to use their site and their scanning tool for my network. I then told them I did not have a network, but used a Nurit 8020 and transmitted the information directly to their network. The discussion ended when I told them I would not agree to their terms and conditions until I knew what fee or fees were involved and how much they would charge. I was told that was fine, after 90 days I would be charged a non-compliance fee despite the fact that I had completed the SAQ-AOC and sent it to them via email. Of course, they would not acknowledge receipt of the document.
Anyone out there had any luck avoiding this trap? Anyone else wonder why iPayment will not disclose in writing the amount and number of fees they might charge?
I did complain to 1st National, for all the good that will do....
Here is a link to the PCI Council web site: https://www.pcisecuritystandards.org/index.shtml
Thanks for letting me rant...this whole PCI thing is a bunch of BS anyway, the card companies only recommend they be done, they do not require this documentation.

Gary,

Loansharking used to be a crime. At one time there were "usury" laws that limited the amount of interest anybody could charge. It used to be 18%, or 1 1/2% per month. But the lobbyists got those laws eliminated, and now rent to own companies charge 100% interest, and payday loans are 1,000% interest. And just a few banks control over 70% of the plastic in our wallets, and they legally have no limit on what interest they can hit you with. There have been cases of 50% on a VISA card.

Loansharks? They're not in some alley luring in victims anymore, they all work for CITI, CHASE, Capitol One, Bank of America, etc.

Gary Haynes said:

And they have broken it down into three monthly payments. At least on my last statement. I to had a long discussion with them. I understand the need for data security, we read about 'big' failures at massive retailers. But once again an entire organization was built to set standards and someone needs to pay for their existence. These fees will only continue to increase. Maybe quicker now that folks have to 'opt in' for the bank to float you a loan on your debit card at $35 per transaction if you go over your balance. :) Loan sharks are probably thinking, "where did I go wrong? I only charge 20% on the vig!!". Can you imagine someone buying a starbucks for $4 and getting a $35 overcharge fee?

Replies

Ellen Empson June 27, 2010 at 7:31am

Just so you know...after a two week fruitless fight and a short email exchange, I capitulated and paid the fee. The SAQ on the web site is exactly the same as the one I completed, just broken down a little more finely and with radio buttons for marking your response. Perhaps over the winter I will resume my tilting at the windmills, since I highly resent paying 129.00 for a piece of paper...especially when it is my paper printed with my ink...
Chris Hoyt June 27, 2010 at 7:11am

Gary,

Loansharking used to be a crime. At one time there were "usury" laws that limited the amount of interest anybody could charge. It used to be 18%, or 1 1/2% per month. But the lobbyists got those laws eliminated, and now rent to own companies charge 100% interest, and payday loans are 1,000% interest. And just a few banks control over 70% of the plastic in our wallets, and they legally have no limit on what interest they can hit you with. There have been cases of 50% on a VISA card.

Loansharks? They're not in some alley luring in victims anymore, they all work for CITI, CHASE, Capitol One, Bank of America, etc.

Gary Haynes said:
And they have broken it down into three monthly payments. At least on my last statement. I to had a long discussion with them. I understand the need for data security, we read about 'big' failures at massive retailers. But once again an entire organization was built to set standards and someone needs to pay for their existence. These fees will only continue to increase. Maybe quicker now that folks have to 'opt in' for the bank to float you a loan on your debit card at $35 per transaction if you go over your balance. :) Loan sharks are probably thinking, "where did I go wrong? I only charge 20% on the vig!!". Can you imagine someone buying a starbucks for $4 and getting a $35 overcharge fee?
Gary Haynes June 26, 2010 at 12:16pm

And they have broken it down into three monthly payments. At least on my last statement. I to had a long discussion with them. I understand the need for data security, we read about 'big' failures at massive retailers. But once again an entire organization was built to set standards and someone needs to pay for their existence. These fees will only continue to increase. Maybe quicker now that folks have to 'opt in' for the bank to float you a loan on your debit card at $35 per transaction if you go over your balance. :) Loan sharks are probably thinking, "where did I go wrong? I only charge 20% on the vig!!". Can you imagine someone buying a starbucks for $4 and getting a $35 overcharge fee?
Chris Hoyt June 20, 2010 at 7:55am

The documentation is indeed optional. But if you don't agree, you will be charged an additional $15 when they take out the $129, that's all.
Jacqueline Webster June 19, 2010 at 7:30pm

You should have gotten a notice of the fee in a recent statement. It's $129.00. 1st National could not tell me when it would be assessed.

This reply was deleted.