No Need to Swipe That Credit Card - Just Scan it With Your iPhone

On-the-go businesses and retailers now have an even simpler way to accept credit card payments when they're out in the field, thanks to Redwood City-based company Flint Mobile Inc.

Flint last week introduced its new iPhone app that allows companies to scan credit card numbers to accept payments, without needing any accessories such as swipers. 

"Flint is designed for people who work outside of traditional retail storefronts and need an easy way to accept credit cards," the company said in a statement Friday. "Many of these businesses are service-oriented and have fundamentally different needs to efficiently manage their business on-the-go. Flint is the only mobile app built to specifically to serve this audience."

Previously available in an invite-only beta version, the app can now be downloaded for free in the Apple App Store. Users can activate their account in minutes through the app or at www.flint.com and immediately start using it, without waiting to get any additional hardware, company spokespersons said.

Flint representatives said the company has already seen encouraging early results, with customer signups across all 50 states from a wide variety of businesses such as photographers, therapists, consultants, fitness trainers, computer and IT professionals, caterers, crafts makers, handymen, beauty professionals and the like.

Aaron Potratz, a licensed professional counselor in Beaverton, Ore. said, "I have tried many other mobile payments apps, but between getting rid of the dongle and making it very easy to customize messaging to my customers right from the phone, Flint has become my preferred debit/credit card processing solution."

For safety, Flint says when a credit card is processed through the app, no data or image is stored on the phone.

Users can also personalize receipts with their own messaging, send simple loyalty offers, configure their own items menu, enable sales tax and tipping, and view transaction details, all right from the mobile app.

Flint's web portal allows users to view and manage transactions, customer contact info, social media activity, and their profile.

"Flint’s mission is to empower everyday small business owners who are out and about and who are underserved by other solutions,” said Greg Goldfarb, co-founder and CEO of Flint Mobile. "We’ve worked very closely with our beta users to develop a compelling app and are excited to make it available to a broader audience."

Flint can be downloaded for free in the U.S. App Store here. The app is compatible with iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, iPhone 4S, and iPhone 5; and iOS 5.0 or above.

The fee for usage is 1.95 percent + $0.20 per transaction for debit cards, and 2.95 percent + $0.20 per transaction for credit cards.

For more information, visit www.flint.com.