How do credit card processors know how I captured my customer’s card info?

The mysteries of POS capture unraveled here…
There is a code out there for every capture method.  When you send data for a transaction, this code  (the POS Entry Mode) is automatically sent with it.  Wouldcha like to know these codes?  Here they are:
  • 01 – Manually keyed (this will pertain to Visa internet transactions as well)
  • 02 – Magnetic stripe read (general or track 2)
  • 05 and 95 – Contactless chip card
  • 06 – Magnetic stripe read (Track 1)
  • 07 – Contactless chip card using Visa Smart Debit / Credit chip data rules
  • 81 – Manually keyed e-commerce (Mastercard only)
  • 90 – Entire magnetic stripe read and transmitted
  • 91 – Contactless chip transaction originated using magnetic stripe data rules (visa only)

What do”track 1″ and “track 2 mean?”  There are two (unusually 3) tracks on a magnetic stripe.  Only track 1 carries the cardholder’s name, but both contain the minimum information needed to complete a transaction.  Why is this important?  If you know the answer, let me know.  I am dying to know.

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