[moveup07]

I don't understand why they don't just take credit cards normally like 99% of ecommerce businesses. I'm guessing that would gain them more than enough business than it would take to cover any additional processing fees. Alot of people just don't want to send that kind of info in hardcopy be it via fax, email, or whatever.

I'm not sure what all they ask for, but I used to work for a processor and it is against PCI regulations (the regulations that must be followed for any merchant to accept credit cards) to store the CVV value of the card (that 3 digit number on the back) anywhere at all, and a merchant must encrypt transmission of cardholder data and sensitive information across public networks. I realize when you send them an email or fax with your info in plain sight it is not the merchant transmitting the data, but I would think fax and email transmission of unencrypted credit card numbers, AVS info, etc would be quite unsecure if it is against those regulations for a merchant to do the same. After working in the credit card industry for over 3 years from the processing software side to the actual processing network side I'm here to tell you bad things can happen to cardholders and merchants alike when those regulations aren't followed. I'm sure most people use them without a problem, but after my work in the processing industry I would never send my info via fax or email, etc after seeing firsthand what can happen. Just my