Merchant

The average credit score for U.S. consumers dropped six points to 671 at the end of December from 677 at the beginning of the year, according to a report released this week by Credit Karma Inc., a San Francisco-based company whose Web site tracks credit scores. Credit Karma based its data on some 87,000 Credit Karma users. Average credit scores have remained stable since October, the firm notes.

Nearly three million homeowners received at least one foreclosure filing in 2009, setting a record for the number of people falling behind on their mortgage payments, according to RealtyTrac, an online marketplace for foreclosure properties, and its Foreclosure Market Report.

EProcessing Network LLC, a Houston-based online payment gateway company, says its ePNJPOS payment software now supports VeriFone Holdings Inc.’s PINpad 1000SE PIN pad.

Several companies in the collectio and debt-buying industries made large contributions to charities in 2009 and, specifically, during the holidays. The following is the start of a roll call listing those companies and their efforts. This list, with the detailed information following, will grow as more information is sent to Collections & Credit Risk. Contact Darren Waggoner at darren.waggoner@sourcemedia.com.

The difference between Mophie LLC’s payment card reader for Apple Inc.’s iPhone and similar products competitors have debuted is that Mophie’s Marketplace product will work with any merchant account, according to the Paw Paw, Mich.-based provider of technology accessory products such as smartphone batteries. Retailers can set up a merchant account through Mophie or use an existing account, and “this is the main difference between the Marketplace and competitors,” says a company spokesperson.

Visa Inc.’s devotion to signature-based contactless transactions has caused one large retailer to take a stand against the card network, and it also poses an obstacle to adoption of EMV cards in the United States, says an industry analyst.

Global Payments Inc.’s North American merchant-services revenue grew 10.5% during the payment processor’s second quarter. ISOs largely drove the growth with their “strong performance ... as evidenced by U.S. transaction growth of 19%,” Paul Garcia, Global chairman and CEO, said during a conference call with analysts last week.

MasterCard Worldwide today announced the availability of a merchant data service called MasterCard Advisors Merchant Solutions.

The Federal Trade Commission's study of nine of the largest consumer debt buyers has industry participants concerned the investigation will be one-sided and lead to an unfair industry clampdown. Ultimately, some insiders believe the fallout will cause delinquent debt prices to drop.

Mophie, a Paw Paw, Mich.-based provider of technology accessory products such as smartphone batteries, last week at the International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas unveiled details regarding its payment card reader for Apple Inc.’s iPhone (see story) , according OhGizmo.com, a technology blog.