Viaduct throws lifeline to disconnected merchants

Media release

Viaduct throws lifeline to disconnected merchants

D-day is here for those merchants who have not met the June 1 deadline to upgrade their eftpos terminals to more secure chip card technology.

New Zealand’s leading independent eftpos company Viaduct has extended a helping hand to those merchants facing disconnection from electronic sales by shipping 1000 eftpos terminals around the country. Latest figures show 4000 terminals have not been upgraded.

The upgrades are required to meet new global security standards in time for the Rugby World Cup, and also amidst growing concerns about card fraud in New Zealand. Banks have warned that merchants using non-compliant terminals on the June 1 deadline will be cut off from the network.

Director Mark Unwin says Viaduct is well aware some merchants are going to be faced with the issue of turning away electronic sales and this has prompted the move to distribute compliant terminals throughout the country.

“We are aiming to have any disconnected business back up and running within three hours ensuring they are not left without eftpos.”

He says the terminals have been shipped to courier depots across the country in preparation for fast delivery to businesses allowing for reconnection within three hours.

“We are not able to tell which merchants will be affected by the disconnections as some will not be using their terminals but this is a proactive way of covering as many merchants as possible. Merchants wanting a rescue terminal just need to give us a call.”

He says with the upcoming World Cup expected to deliver a $1.25 billion tourism boost for New Zealand merchants will want to ensure they can process electronic sales.

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