POS fraud: how to secure your restaurant cash receipts

Every day, many restaurants and catering businesses are confronted with attempts to defraud their electronic payment terminals (EPTs). Perhaps you've already had the unpleasant experience? From card piracy to cloned Eftpos terminals and refund scams, fraudsters are stepping up their ingenuity, and with the rise of contactless payments and connected terminals, your cash receipts are more exposed than ever.

But this is far from inevitable: you can secure your cash receipts, protect your equipment and, above all, preserve your customers' trust with the simple, effective measures detailed in this article.

‍

How do fraudsters target your restaurant?

Piracy of physical terminals: cloned POS terminals and fraudulent connections

Physical piracy remains one of the most frequent risks. Some fraudsters simply plug additional hardware into your POS terminal to clone cards or capture data. Others may install "clone" terminals at busy payment points, such as a restaurant counter or a food truck at an event.

Software fraud and network spoofing: Wi-Fi and vulnerable connections

With the rise of connected POS terminals, the risk of software fraud is increasing. Hackers can, for example, intercept your information if you use public Wi-Fi, install malware, or create fake servers to redirect your transactions.

Human manipulation: fake technicians and scams

Even if your POS system and network are well secured, the human factor remains a major weakness. Malicious people can take advantage of a little negligence: a fake technician posing as a service technician, a fraudulent refund request or even an inattentive employee can be enough to compromise your cash receipts. 

👉 F urther information: Catering: how to manage payments in 2025? 

What are the consequences of VSE fraud for a restaurateur?

Financial losses and impact on the restaurant

Every fraud represents a net loss for your bank. In addition to the amount stolen, you often have to add the bank charges involved in disputing or reimbursing the debit, as well as the time spent managing the incident, which also has a cost. In the long term, these situations weaken your cash flow and distract your teams from their core business.

Damage to reputation and customer trust

Customers need to feel secure when they pay their bill, confident that their bank details are protected and that the payment process is running smoothly. Proven fraud can deter them from coming back, and tarnish your image on social networks. The consequences are twofold: 

• Loss of loyal customers and difficulty attracting new ones,
• Poor reputation online and on review sites.

Legal sanctions 

By failing to comply with PCI DSS standards (security standards for card payments) or the RGPD (personal data protection), a restaurant exposes itself to several types of sanctions:

• Financial penalties: failure to comply with the RGPD can result in fines of up to 20 million euros or 4% of the company's worldwide annual sales, whichever is higher. For PCI DSS, banks or payment providers may impose financial penalties, increase transaction fees, or even temporarily suspend payment services.
  
  
• Reputational damage: a leak or theft of customer data can quickly become public knowledge, affecting customer confidence and often resulting in a drop in traffic and negative online reviews.
  
  
• Compliance obligations: in the event of non-compliance, you will have to implement corrective measures under supervision, which involves time, costs and sometimes internal reorganization.

👉 To find out more : How much does a VSE cost, and how can you reduce the costs associated with its use?

How can you protect your VSE restaurant cash receipts?

Protecting your VSE: hardware, network and updates

In your restaurant, your payment terminal is just as important as your oven or cash register. To prevent any unpleasant surprises, get into the habit of regularly checking your equipment and connections.

Make sure you choose a PCI DSS-certified POS terminal, as a guarantee of reliability, and avoid second-hand, non-approved terminals. Also remember to check connections and seals, especially if several people handle the terminal during the day.

When it comes to connection, always opt for a private network or a dedicated 4G SIM card for your payments. Finally, don't forget to update your firmware and passwords. By adopting these few reflexes, you'll reinforce the security of your payments.

Training teams in payment security

When a customer pays, your employees are on the front line, so their vigilance is crucial. Take the time to train them to spot suspicious behavior or identify a bogus technician.

Explain to them how to handle the TPE correctly, and what to do in the event of a fault. A well-informed team reacts more quickly and considerably reduces risks. These best practices, once integrated into the department's routine, become real bulwarks against fraud. 

Choose a connected and supervised VSE

If you want to limit the risks as much as possible, choose a connected and supervised VSE. Why should you? This type of equipment enables you to monitor your transactions remotely, benefit from automatic security updates and be alerted immediately in the event of an anomaly.

This means you can keep a close eye on your cash receipts, even when you're not on site, and gain peace of mind while offering your customers a smooth, secure payment experience.

‍

Criteria to check before choosing your VSE

Ensure compatibility with your caisse and bank

Your POS terminal must work in perfect harmony with your POS software. cash register and your bank. A poorly-integrated terminal can slow down service, lead to collection errors or complicate accounting management. If you use an all-in-one solution likeInnovorder's, compatibility is guaranteed and your payments are automatically synchronized with your sales.

Check maintenance, support and warranties

In the restaurant business, the slightest hitch in payment can quickly turn into panic. That's why it's best to choose a supplier capable of providing rapid assistance in the event of a problem. Ask about the availability of technical support, response times and the length of the equipment warranty. A good provider should be able to help you remotely or replace the terminal without disrupting your service.

Clarify management of subscriptions and payment flows

Before signing, make sure you understand the pricing: rental fees, commissions, maintenance subscriptions, etc. Take the time to compare offers, and make sure they are transparent. Watch out for hidden charges! Also check how payment flows are managed: how often are funds disbursed? What reports or monitoring tools are available? 

Good visibility of your transactions facilitates cash flow management and prevents unpleasant surprises.

👉Further information: Payment service providers' hidden charges: how to avoid them?

‍

Why choose TPE Innovorder?

With Innovorder, you combine security, simplicity and performance. You benefit from an advantageous electronic payment contract with competitive commission fees, an omnichannel solution to centralize your online and in-store sales, and available, responsive customer service. Thanks toIO Pay, your payments are even faster and more secure, and your customers can pay as they wish, with complete peace of mind. 

Your customers are protected, and you can concentrate on what you do best: providing quality cuisine and smooth service.

Would you like to secure your cash receipts while simplifying the management of your restaurant? Innovorder's experts are here to help you, and show you how TPE can meet your day-to-day needs.