Skip to main content

MOTO Payments (Mail Order / Telephone Order)

Overview​

The standard payment workflow typically involves a Client-Initiated Transaction (CIT), where the buyer interacts directly with the merchant and triggers the transaction using a physical card.

In contrast, a MOTO payment is a Card-Not-Present (CNP) transaction. In this scenario, payment information is provided over the phone or via email, and the transaction is processed digitally using a Virtual Terminal.

How It Works​

1. Order Placement​

The transaction begins when a customer contacts the merchant—or is contacted by the merchant—via phone or email to place an order.

2. Information Gathering​

The customer provides their order details alongside their payment information. Because the physical card is not present to be read by a machine, the following payment details must be collected:

  • Credit Card Number (PAN)
  • Expiration Date
  • CVV/CVC Security Code
  • Billing Address

3. Data Entry (The Virtual Terminal)​

Instead of inserting a physical card into a traditional Point-of-Sale (POS) machine, the payment details are entered into a secure, web-based dashboard known as a Virtual Terminal.

There are two primary ways to handle this data entry:

  • Merchant Entry: The customer provides their card information directly to the merchant (e.g., over the phone), and the merchant logs into the Virtual Terminal to manually type in the details.
  • Customer Entry: The merchant provides the customer with secure access to the Virtual Terminal (such as a secure payment link), allowing the customer to enter their payment information themselves.

4. Processing and Authorization​

Once the payment information is submitted through the Virtual Terminal, the Payment Service Provider (PSP) takes over and process it like any other payment