How does e fund transfer debit and credit card system?
Matthew Harrington
Updated on February 16, 2026
According to the United States Electronic Fund Transfer Act of 1978 it is “a funds transfer initiated through an electronic terminal, telephone, computer (including on-line banking) or magnetic tape for the purpose of ordering, instructing, or authorizing a financial institution to debit or credit a consumer’s account” …
What is electronic fund transfer at point of sale?
Electronic funds transfer at point of sale (EFTPOS; /ˈɛftpɒs/) is an electronic payment system involving electronic funds transfers based on the use of payment cards, such as debit or credit cards, at payment terminals located at points of sale.
How does an electronic funds transfer work?
An electronic funds transfer moves money from one account to another electronically over a computerized network. EFTs require both the sender and recipient to have bank accounts. The accounts do not have to be at the same financial institution to transfer funds. EFT transactions are also known as electronic banking.
What is an electronic fund transfer mode?
National Electronic Funds Transfer or NEFT is the most commonly used online payment option to transfer money from one bank account to another. Usually, salary transfers by companies are done using NEFT. The funds are transferred on a deferred settlement basis, which implies that the money is transferred in batches.
Does EFTPOS use Internet?
EFTPOS transactions require an internet connection and may need access to a mobile phone network. Cash may be more reliable if these services are unreliable or unavailable. Make sure your provider gives EFTPOS technical support 24/7.
What is the difference between POS and EFTPOS?
EFTPOS stands for Electronic Funds Transfer at the point of sale. EFTPOS machines – which can be standalone or connected to a point of sale (POS) system – facilitate the movement of funds from a customer’s credit card or debit card account to a nominated business bank account.
How long does it take to transfer funds electronically?
How long does it take for an EFT (electronic funds transfer) transaction to process if I pay online? EFT transactions typically take 48 – 72 hours to settle.
What are the four most common type of electronic fund transfer?
NEFT, RTGS or IMPS — choose the best way to make online money transfers.
- NEFT (National Electronic Fund Transfer)
- RTGS (Real Time Gross Settlement.
- IMPS (Immediate Payment Service)
- UPI (Unified Payments Interface):
- Cheque:
What is electronic funds transfer at point of sale?
EFTPOS. Electronic funds transfer at point of sale ( EFTPOS /ˈɛftpɒs/) is an electronic payment system involving electronic funds transfers based on the use of payment cards, such as debit or credit cards, at payment terminals located at points of sale. EFTPOS technology originated in the United States in 1981 and was adopted by other countries.
What do you mean by EFTPOS at point of sale?
First off, let us be clear about what we mean by ‘eftpos’. The string of letters ‘EFTPOS’ are an abbreviation of ‘Electronic Funds Transfer at Point Of Sale’. It refers to the debit and credit card transactions processed in an electronic payment terminal at a face-to-face checkout. Such a payment terminal is commonly called an EFTPOS machine.
How does a smart POS terminal work with a debit card?
The terminal reads the credit or debit card (or mobile phone with the card saved in a digital wallet), then processes it over a secure internet connection. It typically finishes off by printing a receipt for the transaction to confirm the payment was successful or that it had failed.
How does the Electronic Funds Transfer Act protect consumers?
Ways the Electronic Funds Transfer Act Protects Consumers. The protections of the Electronic Funds Transfer Act extend to transactions made with point-of-sale terminals, automated clearing house systems, telephone bill-payment plans and remote banking programs.