If the card isn't embossed, the merchant can still write down the numbers on the card.
However, Visa quit issuing manual imprint machines in 2019.
Many of the newer credit card machines issued since the security chips have been introduced have the ability to process transactions even if the physical Internet is down. These machines can often connect via mobile, Ethernet, and dialup Internet and are able to save transactions if all of those connections are down as well. The saved transactions will be processed once the system comes back online.
A transaction from a card that would have been declined had the Internet been up will either go through and ding the cardholder or the merchant will eat those costs. That all depends on the merchant agreements in place.
With that being said, if you do lose power or Internet connection for some reason, it's usually better to be able to take your customer's payments and risk a declined card as a cost of doing business.
If the card isn't embossed, the merchant can still write down the numbers on the card.
However, Visa quit issuing manual imprint machines in 2019.
Many of the newer credit card machines issued since the security chips have been introduced have the ability to process transactions even if the physical Internet is down. These machines can often connect via mobile, Ethernet, and dialup Internet and are able to save transactions if all of those connections are down as well. The saved transactions will be processed once the system comes back online.
A transaction from a card that would have been declined had the Internet been up will either go through and ding the cardholder or the merchant will eat those costs. That all depends on the merchant agreements in place.
With that being said, if you do lose power or Internet connection for some reason, it's usually better to be able to take your customer's payments and risk a declined card as a cost of doing business.