MOTO stands for Mail Order / Telephone Order. It covers payments where the customer gives card details in writing or over the phone, and the business enters them into a secure payment system.

Virtual terminal & MOTO

Take card payments by phone, mail or any browser.

Q: Is it secure to take card details over the phone?

Yes, when done properly. The systems use encryption and PCI DSS-compliant processing, and staff should never write down or store card numbers outside the terminal.

Q: Can call centers and debt collection businesses get approved?

Often, yes, but they are usually treated as high-risk and need a specialist processor. Approval is never guaranteed.

A virtual terminal turns any internet-connected device into a card terminal. Built for call centers, collections, catalog sales and remote teams that take payments when the customer isn't there.

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Virtual terminal · Phone payments · Mail order · Invoices & payment links · Recurring billing

What is MOTO?

Three ways to take card-not-present payments.

Accept payments online, over the phone or through mail orders, all from one account.

Virtual terminal

An online point-of-sale you open in a browser. Enter the card number, customer details and amount on any device. No physical card machine needed, ideal for remote and mobile teams.

Phone payments

The customer reads their card details to your agent, who enters them into a secure system. Perfect for call centers and support teams, and for customers who prefer a personal touch.

Mail order (MOTO)

Orders arrive by mail or phone, with payment details in writing or by voice, then entered manually. Suited to catalog sales and orders taken by sales representatives.

Watch

MOTO and virtual terminals, explained.

Short videos on how card-not-present payments work and when they beat a card machine.

What is MOTO?Mail order and telephone order payments in a few minutes.

Why MOTO or a virtual terminal over card-present?When taking payments remotely makes more sense than a terminal.

Complete guide to high-risk industriesOur full video series on getting approved and staying approved.

Watch the playlist →

Why choose it

When a virtual terminal beats a card machine.

The advantages

Get paid wherever the customer is.

No hardware. Works on any laptop, tablet or phone with internet.
Remote teams. Agents can take payments from the office, home or the field.
Reach more customers. Including those without internet access or who prefer to order by phone.
Recurring & repeat billing. Save customer cards securely for installments and plans.

Good to know

What to expect.

Rates are a bit higher. Card-not-present payments carry more fraud risk than a swiped or tapped card.
Fraud checks matter. AVS and CVV checks help reduce disputes and chargebacks.
Some industries are high-risk. Call centers and collections usually need a specialist processor.
Clear authorization. Recorded or written consent from customers protects you in disputes.

Who uses it

Including many high-risk industries. See high-risk accounts →

Call centers & BPO Debt collection Catalog & mail order Travel booking Home services Tech support B2B invoicing Subscriptions

Security

Card details protected at every step.

The gateways and processors we work with use encryption and PCI DSS-compliant systems. Your team still follows PCI rules for how card details are handled, and we'll point you to what that means in practice.

EncryptionCard data is encrypted from entry to authorization.

PCI DSS compliantIndustry-standard gateways and processors.

AVS & CVV checksVerify the billing address and card code on every charge.

Stored cards, safelyTokenized cards for repeat and recurring billing.

How it works

Taking payments in three steps.

One specialist handles your file from application to first charge.

Step 1

Tell us how you sell

Phone, mail, invoices or recurring. Share your industry, monthly volume and average ticket size.

Step 2

Get matched and approved

We prepare a complete file, including call scripts or order forms if needed, and apply to processors that accept your model.

Step 3

Log in and charge

Once approved, you get virtual terminal logins for your team and can start taking payments the same day.

FAQ

Virtual terminals, explained.

Still have a question? Ask us on WhatsApp.

What is a virtual terminal?

An online platform for processing credit and debit card payments from any internet-connected device. It works like a point-of-sale system in your browser: you enter the card number, customer details and amount manually.

What does MOTO mean?

MOTO stands for Mail Order / Telephone Order. It covers payments where the customer gives their card details in writing or over the phone, and the business enters them into a secure payment system.

Is it secure to take card details over the phone?

Yes, when it's done properly. The systems use encryption and PCI DSS-compliant processing. Your team should never write card numbers down or store them outside the terminal.

Are virtual terminal rates higher than a card machine?

Usually slightly, because card-not-present payments carry more fraud risk. Using AVS and CVV checks and keeping chargebacks low helps keep your costs down.

Can call centers and debt collection businesses get approved?

Often, yes, but they're usually treated as high-risk and need a processor that specializes in them. We match you with those processors and prepare a complete application. Approval is never guaranteed.

Open a merchant account to accept US cards.

By phone, mail or on your website. Tell us about your business and you'll get your options within one business day.

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Direct-Merchant.org provides consulting and application support only. We are not a bank, payment processor or acquirer, and we do not hold or move funds. Approval, pricing, reserves and account terms are decided solely by the processor or acquiring bank, and approval is never guaranteed. Merchants are responsible for PCI DSS compliance and for obtaining proper customer authorization for every charge. We work only with lawful businesses.