Keeping Patient Credit Card Details Safe (2024)

FAQs

Keeping Patient Credit Card Details Safe? ›

Ensure that electronic data that includes credit card numbers is robustly encrypted, or that paper records are locked in a secure place, such as in a safe or file drawer that requires a combination lock. Payment Card Industry (PCI) regulations prohibit storing a credit card's security code.

Compliance with the PCI DSS requires merchants to limit storing and retaining customer names, card account numbers and expiration dates only for the time required for business or legal purposes.

Keep paper documents with credit card numbers locked in a secure place (like a safe) when not in use. Electronic storage of credit card numbers is also common if, for example, you process recurring or repeat transactions. If you do this, you cannot store these files unencrypted.

Credit card information is considered protected health information (“PHI”), under HIPAA and its implementing regulations when it is stored by a healthcare provider.

Credit card encryption is a security measure intended to reduce the likelihood of credit card information being stolen. Encryption makes it extremely difficult to access that information without the corresponding encryption key.

Do not store cardholder data unless there is a legitimate business need; truncate or mask cardholder data if full PAN is not needed and do not send PAN in unencrypted emails, instant messages, chats, etc..

Never store the card-validation code or value (three- or four-digit number printed on the front or back of a payment card used to validate card-not-present transactions). Never store the personal identification number (PIN) or PIN Block.

In 1976, the U.S. Supreme Court held that there was no reasonable expectation of privacy in bank records. The Court ruled that such records are the property of the financial institution, not the customer.

What must you never do when processing cardholder data? ›

NEVER physically write down any credit card information unless you are explicitly required to do so as part of your business processes. NEVER acquire or disclose any cardholder's credit card information without the cardholder's consent, including but not limited to: the partial sixteen (16) digit card number.

PCI DSS does not define minimum or maximum times for which cardholder data may be stored. PCI DSS Requirement 3.1 specifies that a data retention and disposal policy must be implemented to limit data storage to that which is necessary for legal, regulatory, and/or business purposes.

Offering debit or credit card options, taking payments electronically using mobile payment methods, and ensuring your store has a good surveillance system are all good ways to prevent fraud.

PCI DSS has well-defined and finite security requirements. It primarily focuses on safeguarding credit card transactions. In contrast, HIPAA covers a broader range of concerns, including patient safety, the right to privacy, quality improvement, and preventing fraud and abuse cases.

The Privacy Rule excludes from protected health information employment records that a covered entity maintains in its capacity as an employer and education and certain other records subject to, or defined in, the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, 20 U.S.C. §1232g. De-Identified Health Information.

Examples of personally identifiable information (PII) include : Social security number (SSN), passport number, driver's license number, taxpayer identification number, patient identification number, and financial account or credit card number. Personal address and phone number.

Accidentally downloading malware or spyware can enable hackers to access information stored on your computer, including credit card information and other details. For example, a malware attack might use a keylogger that records your keystrokes or browser history and then sends that information to a hacker.

Avoid making online purchases or doing anything where you reveal your credit card or bank account details unless you're sure you are using a password protected Wi-Fi connection.

Even if data is encrypted, you can NEVER store:

Sensitive authentication data (i.e., full magnetic stripe info) PIN. PIN block (i.e., the encrypted PIN) Card validation value (CVV), also known as three/four-digit service code or card security code.