Since 2024, bank cards have become the most popular consumer payment method in France. Digital payments at points of sale continue to become more common. Mobile phone payments now account for one out of five card payments at points of sale. This growing popularity has also resulted in technological advances for businesses. They can now accept card payments by phone—both in-store and on the go—without investing in fixed terminals. Remote sales are also easier.

Customers can make bank card payments by phone in two ways: in person using a smartphone or remotely over the phone or with their own device. Each method incurs different fees and follows different security rules. Businesses must choose the right method to create a fast and easy checkout experience while minimizing the risk of fraud.

In this article, we explain bank card payments by phone, including how they work, their benefits and costs, and how to choose the right method.

Key takeaways

• Bank card payments by phone use smartphones to process transactions. For businesses, this can take two forms: accepting a card presented in person (i.e., the phone serves as a terminal) or processing the transaction remotely using the payment details provided by the customer.
  
• In France, retailers can accept card payments via phone without electronic payment contracts simply by opening an account with a payment service provider, such as Stripe. The provider handles authorizations, processes transactions, and pays out funds.
  
• There are three types of in-person payment methods: Tap to Pay, which transforms phones into contactless terminals with no additional equipment; Bluetooth readers that accept chip cards; and quick-response (QR) codes, which customers scan to pay from their own devices.
  
• For remote payments, businesses can use virtual payment terminals, where they take payment information over the phone and enter it; payment links, which customers click to make payments; and payment functionalities embedded into websites or mobile applications.
  
• Card payments by phone are especially well-suited to businesses without fixed terminals, such as mobile businesses, freelancers, and home service providers. This solution lets them accept payments at lower costs, improve their cash flows, simplify customer experiences, and centralize sales tracking.
  

What are bank card payments by phone?

Bank card payments by phone use smartphones to process card transactions. For retailers, they can take one of two forms: accepting a card presented in person, where the phone serves as a payment terminal; or accepting payments remotely, where the customer gives their card information over the phone or pays via a link.

Remote payments—also called “distance selling” or “mail order/telephone order (MOTO)”—are not as common as they once were, but they are still relevant to businesses that frequently communicate by phone. These include hotel reservation desks, travel agencies, taxi companies, and tradespeople requiring deposits before beginning projects to reduce the risk of nonpayment. The procedure is the same whether customers pay by debit or credit card.

Can businesses take bank card payments by phone?

In France, retailers can accept bank card payments using a phone, even without an electronic payment contract with a bank. They simply open an account with a payment service provider—such as Stripe—which handles authorizations, processes transactions, and pays out funds.

These mobile payment services rely on apps that handle transactions and additional tasks, such as sending receipts and tracking sales. Payment service providers serve as intermediaries to card networks so that retailers do not need to contract with them. They only need compatible devices and internet connections to accept payments. The rest depends on the payment method—in person or remote. This determines the equipment required, type of acceptance contract, and potential for fraud.

How do bank card payments by phone work?

To accept bank card payments by phone, businesses need a payment app and a device that can read cards. Payment devices use one of two technologies: the phone’s near-field communication (NFC) chip for contactless payment or a Bluetooth-connected card reader that also takes chip cards and cards with magnetic strips.

Card readers pair with phones via Bluetooth. They offer more ways to pay. Customers can swipe cards, insert them, or tap them for contactless payment. Card readers also work with point-of-sale (POS) systems.

Many apps use a device’s NFC technology directly rather than a physical reader. That is the technology behind Tap to Pay, a form of software point of sale (SoftPOS), which turns phones into electronic payment terminals. Customers make contactless payments using bank cards or digital wallets—such as Apple Pay or Google Pay—with no additional equipment.

In addition to executing transactions, mobile payment apps such as Stripe centralize related tasks. This includes sending customer receipts, tracking sales, and reconciling payments. This lets businesses manage card payment acceptance and tracking from a single place.

How to accept bank card payments by phone in person

In person, there are three ways to make card payments by phone. Tap to Pay accepts contactless payments without additional equipment. Stripe Readers connected to phones take chip cards. Lastly, QR codes allow customers to pay from their own devices.

Let’s take a closer look at each in-person payment method.

Stripe card readers

Stripe Reader M2 is Stripe’s most popular card reader. It connects directly to a phone to create a mobile payment terminal experience. Stripe also offers other options, such as countertop readers and multilane readers with personal identification number (PIN) pads.

Here’s how to use a card reader from Stripe:

• Order a Stripe card reader from Stripe’s website.
  
• Once the reader arrives, connect it to a phone via Bluetooth.
  
• Open the Stripe app, and follow the instructions to set up the reader.
  
• When a customer is ready to pay, enter the amount into the app. Use the reader to swipe, insert, or tap the customer’s card.
  
• Stripe processes the payment. Funds are generally deposited to the business’s account within a few days.
  

Stripe readers accept Europay, Mastercard, and Visa (EMV) chip cards, contactless cards, and digital wallets. In France, chip cards always require a compatible card reader. These are suitable for mobile businesses with steady volumes, such as food trucks, farmer’s markets, and fairs.

Payments via QR codes

QR codes let customers pay for purchases in person using their own devices. Codes are generated in the Stripe app. Customers scan the code and are sent to a payments page. QR codes are compatible with iOS and Android and require no equipment on the business side. They are ideal for customers waiting in line and at booths and markets.

Here is how to accept payments via QR codes:

• Download the Stripe app.
  
• Create a Stripe account.
  
• Access Stripe’s QR code generation feature.
  
• Enter the business’s payment information and click “Generate.”
  
• Test the code by scanning it with a phone.
  
• When customers scan the QR code, they are redirected to the payments page or a uniform resource locator (URL) that the business chooses.
  

Tap to Pay

Stripe’s Tap to Pay for iPhone and Android is a SoftPOS. It has been available in France since November 2023 and uses a phone’s NFC to accept contactless payments from bank cards (e.g., CB, Visa, Mastercard) and digital wallets, with no additional equipment required.

Here is how to use Tap to Pay:

• Ensure device compatibility: Retailers must have an iPhone XS, a more recent model, or a smartphone running Android 13 or higher. The phone must have an up-to-date operating system and an active internet connection.
  
• Activate bank card processing: To activate, Stripe account holders in France must enter their Business Directory Identification System (SIREN) numbers in the dashboard.
  
• Take the customer’s payment: Enter the payment amount into the app. The customer then holds their card, smartphone, or smartwatch near the top of the device. For amounts over €50, they must enter their PIN.
  

Learn more about Tap to Pay with Stripe.

How to accept bank card payments remotely

There are three ways to accept remote payments: virtual payment terminals, where businesses enter payment details provided by customers over the phone; payment links that customers scan with their phones; and payment via websites or mobile applications.

Let’s take a closer look at each remote payment method.

Virtual payment terminals

Virtual payment terminals are web interfaces accessible from a web browser. Businesses enter customers’ card information into the interface to initiate the transaction. No equipment is required—only a browser on a smartphone. This method requires a distance selling acceptance contract with a bank or payment service provider. It is ideal for businesses that take card numbers over the phone.

Payment links

Payment links—such as Stripe Payment Links—are useful for businesses that want to take remote payments. Payment links let them create complete payment pages in minutes—no coding required. Businesses can send payment links to customers directly and finalize transactions with just a few clicks.

Here’s how to accept payments with payment links:

• The business creates a payment link for a specific product or service from the Stripe Dashboard.
  
• The business sends the resulting URL to the customer by text message or email.
  
• The customer clicks the link and pays from their phone or other device by entering their card details or using a digital wallet, such as Apple Pay or Google Pay.
  

Payment links are a popular option, because customers are not required to provide card numbers over the phone. Payment links also authenticate customers, which can help protect businesses against fraud.

Websites and mobile applications

Customers can also make bank card payments by phone directly through a business’s mobile-friendly website or mobile app. Businesses need only a Stripe account for online payments. Stripe also offers application programming interfaces (APIs) and software development kits (SDKs) for customized integration. Developers use these to add payment processing to websites and apps.

Here’s the process for accepting mobile payments via websites or apps:

• The website or app must be configured to accept mobile payments.
  
• The customer selects the desired products or services, adds them to the cart, and goes to the payment page.
  
• At checkout, the customer enters their card information or uses a digital wallet.
  

Do businesses need to choose in-person or remote bank card payment solutions?

The best-suited payment solution depends on whether or not the customer is present. For in-person transactions, Tap to Pay is ideal for contactless payments, while a mobile card reader is best when chip cards need to be inserted. QR codes offer a convenient alternative that requires no additional hardware.

For remote transactions, a payment link is the most secure option, while a virtual terminal can be used to process card details provided verbally over the phone.

What types of businesses benefit from accepting payments by phone?

Bank card payments by phone are primarily for businesses without fixed payment terminals, whether for in-person or remote sales. Mobile businesses, freelancers, and home service providers gain flexibility and mobility. Hotels, travel agencies, and taxi companies gain a secure method for taking reservations over the phone.

Several types of businesses can benefit from these solutions:

• Market vendors and pop-up shops
  These businesses operate in temporary spaces where it can be difficult to install fixed terminals. Phones let businesses accept bank card payments anywhere they operate.
  
• Food trucks and mobile businesses
  These businesses operate in tight spaces and travel around frequently. Mobile payment systems simplify the process and let them take bank card and digital wallet payments from anywhere.
  
• Home service providers
  This includes plumbers, electricians, and personal trainers. They can take card payments immediately after providing the service, rather than waiting for the customer to pay an invoice.
  
• Consultants and freelancers
  They send bills that are typically paid remotely. Sending payment links when assignments are over or requiring deposits before beginning projects accelerates collection, avoiding the wait times of bank transfers.
  
• Hotels, travel agencies, and taxi companies
  These businesses use remote payments to create frictionless digital experiences. They can confirm reservations over the phone without the customer present.
  

Why do businesses need to accept bank card payments by phone?

By accepting card payments by phone, businesses can take payments anywhere—at a lower cost than for a fixed terminal—and get paid faster. Doing so also responds to customer preferences for card and contactless payments and centralizes sales tracking. Finally, businesses can close sales remotely, without having to meet with customers in person.

Here are the benefits for small and large businesses:

• Get paid anywhere at a lower cost
  Mobile payment systems let businesses get paid anytime, anywhere. Tap to Pay does not require special equipment, and mobile readers cost less than traditional terminals. This flexibility is ideal for businesses without permanent points of sale.
  
• Improve cash flow
  Bank card payments by phone are typically processed more quickly than other payment methods, such as checks. This shortens the time between sales and collections.
  
• Simplify the customer experience
  By accepting cards, contactless payments, and digital wallets, businesses respond to new customer habits and build customer loyalty. For remote payments, sending payment links during conversations can help reduce cart abandonment by customers who cannot pay right away.
  
• Centralize sales tracking
  Mobile payment services record transactions automatically and typically offer dashboards. They reduce the need for manual data entry—such as updating inventory or logging sales—and provide a clear overview of the business. This data can then be used to track sales trends, identify the most popular products, and better understand customer behavior to guide sales strategies.
  

Are bank card payments by phone secure?

Yes, bank card payments by phone can be secure, as long as businesses use the right payment service and follow best practices for data protection. Nevertheless, risk levels vary depending on whether the card is physically present or payment is made remotely.

For in-person payments, solutions such as Tap to Pay and mobile readers use technologies that include encryption and tokenization. This means card data is not stored on the business’s phone. Depending on the payment method and amount, customers might also enter a PIN or authenticate themselves on their devices.

The risk of fraud is higher for remote payments because cards are not presented to businesses. If possible, businesses need to send payment links rather than ask customers for bank details over the phone. Customers enter their own information and are authenticated before confirmation.

Authenticated links also shift liability to the customer’s bank in case of fraud, whereas card numbers dictated over the phone leave merchants open to liability. For transactions authenticated with 3D Secure, liability in case of fraud is generally transferred to the customer’s bank. Conversely, for MOTO payments made using bank details communicated over the phone, liability typically remains with the business.

Security depends on which payment service provider businesses choose. Providers perform authentication when necessary and protect bank information throughout the transaction.

What are the fees for bank card payments by phone?

Bank card payments by phone incur commissions on each transaction. The rate is lower for in-person payments than remote payments. Some providers also charge for monthly subscriptions, card readers, and transaction disputes. Stripe charges per transaction. There are no monthly fees or costly Tap to Pay equipment.

Here are some typical fees charged by the most popular mobile payment-service providers:

• Installation: Many providers do not charge for creating and setting up accounts, and some card readers are also free. However, some providers offer premium equipment at an additional cost.
  
• In-person transactions: These fees are a percentage of the transaction amount. The rate is generally lower because cards are present.
  
• Remote transactions: These fees are generally higher because card-not-present (CNP) transactions have a higher risk of fraud.
  
• Monthly: Some providers charge a monthly subscription fee for advanced features, such as sales analyses and inventory management. Stripe does not charge a monthly fee.
  
• Disputes: If a customer disputes a payment, resulting in a chargeback, the provider can charge the business a fee.
  
• Additional services: If businesses opt for additional modules—such as payroll services, ecommerce integration, or subscription management—the provider can charge additional fees.
  

Every provider’s fee schedule is different and rates can change. Make sure to review rates carefully before choosing a provider. Although it can be complicated to negotiate rates with providers, it is not impossible. High-volume businesses, in particular, are in stronger negotiating positions.

How Stripe Payments can help

Stripe Payments provides a unified, global payments solution that helps any business—from scaling startups to global enterprises—accept payments online, in person, and around the world.

Stripe Payments can help you:

• Optimize your checkout experience: Create a frictionless customer experience and save engineering time with prebuilt payment UIs, access to 125+ payment methods, and Link, Stripe’s consumer network.
  
• Expand to new markets faster: Reach customers worldwide and reduce the complexity and cost of multicurrency management with cross-border payment options, available in 195 countries across 135+ currencies.
  
• Unify payments in person and online: Build a unified commerce experience across online and in-person channels to personalize interactions, reward loyalty, and grow revenue.
  
• Improve payments performance: Increase revenue with a range of customizable, easy-to-configure payment tools, including no-code fraud protection and advanced capabilities to improve authorization rates.
  
• Move faster with a flexible, reliable platform for growth: Build on a platform designed to scale with you, with 99.999% historical uptime and industry-leading reliability.
  

Learn more about how Stripe Payments can power your online and in-person payments, or get started today.

FAQs about bank card payments by phone in France