Is MOTO Processing Ideal for Your Business?

Many businesses still accept customer orders by phone, email, or mail, but lack a secure and efficient way to collect payments. This often results in delays, manual mistakes, payment disputes, or worse, fraud and chargebacks that hurt the business. Without a proper system in place, remote payments can put your business at risk. Sensitive card data can be mishandled, compliance can be difficult, and high-risk industries like hemp, CBD, and precious metals often get rejected by traditional processors. MOTO (Mail Order/Telephone Order) processing is a trusted solution designed for these exact situations. According to the Federal Reserve Payments Study, over 2.6 billion MOTO transactions were processed in the U.S. in 2020 alone. In this guide, you’ll learn how MOTO works, who it’s best for, how it protects your business, and why 2Accept is the top choice for secure, fast, and compliant MOTO processing, especially in regulated or high-risk industries.

What Is MOTO Processing?

MOTO stands for Mail Order / Telephone Order. It allows businesses to accept credit or debit card payments when the buyer is not physically present.

1- MOTO Payments & Payment Flow

MOTO payments are typically processed through a virtual terminal. A business manually enters the card details after receiving them via phone or written form (mail or email). The transaction is authorized through a secure gateway and processed like online payments.

2- Key Differences vs. In-Person or E-Commerce Payments

• In-person payments use card readers; MOTO doesn’t.
• E-commerce needs a website checkout; MOTO uses a virtual terminal.
• MOTO may carry a higher fraud risk due to the absence of physical card presence.

When Do Businesses Use MOTO?

MOTO isn’t just old-school; it’s useful in many modern situations.

• Phone-Based Orders: Businesses that take orders over the phone, such as travel agents, restaurants, or catalog sellers, often rely on Mobile Order Taking (MOTO).
• Mail Payments & Invoicing: Some clients prefer to send card details via fax, form, or email. MOTO helps you process these manually.
• Remote Sales Teams: Call centers and remote sales agents use MOTO to finalize sales when face-to-face transactions aren’t possible.

Why MOTO Payment Processing Is Ideal for Your Business | Top Benefits

MOTO (Mail Order / Telephone Order) processing isn’t just a backup method; it’s a smart, secure, and flexible option for many business types. Especially if you operate in a high-risk or regulated industry, MOTO can help you serve more customers, stay compliant, and grow without limitations.

1- Extend Payment Options for Remote Buyers

Many customers still prefer to place orders by phone or email, especially for large or sensitive purchases. MOTO processing allows you to accept card payments from anywhere without a website or physical checkout.

• Serve customers who prefer not to use online forms.
• Take payments for catalog sales, invoice-based services, or phone bookings.
• Ideal for phone agents and call-in orders

Why it matters: You meet your customers where they are, removing barriers to sales.

2- Build Trust with Personal Interaction

Some customers prefer to speak with a live representative, especially for high-value or regulated products. With MOTO, customers receive the human support they need when making a payment.

• Older or cautious buyers trust phone-based transactions more.
• Less drop-off compared to online checkout confusion
• Builds stronger customer relationships

Why it matters: A personal touch increases conversions and loyalty.

3- Tailored for High-Risk or Restricted Industries

If you’re in industries like CBD, hemp, gold, silver, firearms, or supplements, MOTO processing can help where others won’t. Many mainstream processors decline to work with these businesses, but MOTO is often accepted and effective.

• Helps you stay compliant with age and industry rules
• Accepted in sectors with complex payment challenges
• Secure and fraud-resistant when paired with tools like AVS and P2PE

Why it matters: You keep selling even when other systems say no.

4- Serve B2B and Custom Orders Easily

Many B2B businesses take orders by phone or email. MOTO fits perfectly into this sales model.

• Close deals faster by collecting payments on the call
• No need to wait for emailed invoices to be paid
• Works well for service businesses, agencies, and wholesale

Why it matters: You speed up your cash flow and remove payment delays.

5- Accept Payments Without a Website

If you don’t have an online store or don’t want to manage one, you can still accept payments securely.

• Great for consultants, field reps, home services, and event vendors
• Take card details over the phone and enter them into a secure virtual terminal.
• No complex integrations are needed.

Why it matters: You don’t need tech to get paid.

6- Easy Setup and Simple Operation

With providers like 2Accept, getting started is fast and straightforward, even in high-risk industries.

• No POS hardware or shopping cart is needed.
• Set up in 48 hours or less.
• Use from any internet-connected device.

Why it matters: You get paid faster with fewer hurdles.

7- Secure and PCI-compliant

MOTO doesn’t mean risky. With the right partner, your MOTO system follows industry-standard security protocols. The PCI Security Standards Council mandates that virtual terminals used in MOTO processing must follow full PCI-DSS compliance.

• Uses AVS (Address Verification System) to verify identity
• P2PE (Point-to-Point Encryption) keeps card data protected
• Helps reduce chargebacks and maintain trust

Why it matters: You protect your business and your customers.

Common MOTO Mistakes & How to Avoid Them

Many businesses make simple mistakes while taking card payments by phone or mail. These mistakes can result in failed payments, fraud, or substantial fines. Here’s how to avoid them:

Mistake 1: Writing Card Info on Paper

Why it’s risky: Writing down card numbers on paper or saving them on a computer is not safe. If someone sees or steals it, you may face serious security problems. Easy Fix: Use a secure and PCI-compliant virtual terminal, such as 2Accept. It protects card details and keeps you safe from legal trouble.

Mistake 2: Typing Errors

Why it’s risky: If you type the wrong number, the payment can fail. This can delay the order and make customers unhappy. Easy Fix: Double-check the card number, expiry date, and CVV before clicking submit. Some systems also help spot errors automatically.

Mistake 3: No Proof of Payment

Why it’s risky: If a customer says they didn’t approve the payment and you have no proof, you could lose the money. Easy Fix: Save all relevant records, such as call notes, emails, and invoices. Use AVS (Address Verification) and request the CVV code for added security.

Mistake 4: No Call Records

Why it’s risky: If you don’t record what was agreed during the call, you have no way to prove what the customer said. Easy Fix: Write down the order details during the call, including the time and date. You can also use call recording (if allowed by law).

Mistake 5: Waiting Too Long to Process

Why it’s risky:

If you wait too long to run the payment, the card may expire, have insufficient funds, or the bank may block it.

Easy Fix:

Process payments as soon as you collect the card info. Don’t wait hours or days.

Mistake 6: Not Sending a Receipt

Why it’s risky: Customers may get confused or think the payment didn’t go through if they don’t get a receipt. Easy Fix: Always send a digital receipt by email or text right after payment. It builds trust and avoids confusion.

How to Choose the Right MOTO Payment Provider

Choosing the right MOTO processor is crucial. It keeps your payments secure, ensures compliance, and helps your business run smoothly, especially if you’re in a high-risk industry.

Look for PCI-DSS Compliance

Your provider must adhere to PCI-DSS standards to safeguard customer card data. This protects you from fraud, legal issues, and failed audits. Always ask if the system is PCI and P2PE compliant.

Choose One That Supports High-Risk Industries

Many providers reject businesses in hemp, CBD, or gold and silver sales. 2Accept is different; they welcome regulated industries and offer fast approvals without extra hassle.

Integration with Business Tools

The right MOTO system should integrate with your existing tools, such as Shopify, Flowhub, or QuickBooks. This saves time, reduces manual errors, and keeps all your payment and sales data in sync.

Transparent Pricing & Real Support

Avoid hidden charges and confusing contracts. Look for providers like 2Accept that offer flat-rate pricing and live support so you always know what you’re paying and who to call.

Why 2Accept’s MOTO Solution Stands Out

Not all MOTO processors are built the same. If you want fast setup, high-risk support, and bank-level security, 2Accept gives your business the edge it needs.

• Secure Data Handling: 2Accept protects every payment using Point-to-Point Encryption (P2PE) and tokenization. That means card info is scrambled at the point of entry and never stored, keeping you and your customers safe.
• Built for High-Risk Industries: Selling hemp, CBD, gold, silver, or firearms? No problem. 2Accept specializes in helping regulated and hard-to-serve businesses that traditional processors turn away.
• Fast Onboarding in 48 Hours: While most providers take weeks, 2Accept can get you approved and ready in just 48 hours. Even in complex industries, their onboarding is smooth and fast.
• Integrates with Popular Business Tools: You can connect your MOTO setup with platforms like Flowhub, WooCommerce, Shopify, and Lightspeed. This keeps your operations synced and reduces manual work.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is MOTO processing still relevant today?

Yes, MOTO is still widely used by businesses that take orders over the phone, through email, or by mail. It’s perfect for companies without websites or those with remote teams. MOTO provides flexible payment options for customers who prefer non-digital methods.

Can remote payments be as secure as in-person?

Absolutely. When processed using a PCI-compliant virtual terminal and P2PE (Point-to-Point Encryption), remote payments can be just as safe as in-store transactions. These tools protect sensitive card data from the moment it’s entered.

How does 2Accept protect against fraud?

2Accept utilizes multiple fraud prevention tools, including AVS (Address Verification System), CVV checks, tokenization, and encryption. These features verify identity, hide card data, and help prevent chargebacks and unauthorized transactions.

What are typical MOTO fees?

2Accept offers flat-rate pricing, meaning you know exactly what you’re paying each month—no hidden charges. Unlike some traditional processors, there are no surprise gateway, setup, or compliance fees added later.

Should You Use MOTO Payment Processing?

If your business accepts orders by phone, mail, or email, a MOTO payment system isn’t just useful; it’s essential. For industries like hemp, CBD, gold, or firearms, it could be your only secure and compliant option. With 2Accept, you get more than just a payment processor. You get 48-hour onboarding, PCI-compliant tools, and expert support tailored to your business type, even if others have turned you away. Don’t risk chargebacks, delays, or security issues! Visit 2Accept.net today and make your remote payments smarter, safer, and fully compliant from day one.