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What PCI compliance means for a small shop

The questionnaire, the fees, and what you really have to do each year.

Hermosa Payments team6 min read
Glass shield over a credit card

PCI DSS is the security standard for any business that takes cards. For most small businesses, staying compliant comes down to one yearly questionnaire and a few good habits.

The yearly questionnaire

After your account is approved, you’ll get an email with a link to the Self-Assessment Questionnaire. It asks how you take cards and how you protect that information. Most shops finish it in under an hour.

Habits that keep you compliant

  • Never write down or store full card numbers.
  • Change default passwords on terminals and Wi-Fi.
  • Keep your POS and terminal software up to date.
  • Limit who can issue refunds.

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