Specifically, the two organizations announced that they will hold a series of nine joint seminars across the country to help businesses of all sizes understand current requirements for proper handling of customer data, reduce card-related fraud, and know where to go for additional information.

The first event will be held in early August in Springfield, Mo. Others will take place in the following cities including Charlotte, N.C.; Vancouver, Wash.; Portland, Ore.; Sacramento and Los Angeles, Calif.; Columbus, Ohio.; and Arlington and Dallas, Texas.

The seminars will include representatives from Visa USA, the local Chamber of Commerce and members of Congress.

"The only way we're going to stay ahead of tomorrow's fraud threats is if the payments industry and the merchant community work together, and that requires an open and ongoing dialogue," said Steve Ruwe, executive vice president, operations and risk management, Visa USA. "Just as merchants have a responsibility to meet our requirements for data security, Visa has a responsibility to listen to merchants and understand the challenges they face on the front lines. Our goal is to continue to work more closely with merchants on fighting fraud, and this campaign is one key way we will do that."

The data security campaign includes a "four step approach" that businesses of all sizes can follow to achieve better data security for themselves and their customers. These steps are:

1. Know if your processing software or your processor is storing data, what kind of data and how it's being stored. If no data is stored electronically, be sure to protect sales draft receipts which may contain the account number.
2. Understand the law and payment industry requirements for protecting cardholder information; only do business with vendors that are compliant with the industry's security requirements.
3. Reduce fraud at the checkout line by learning how to stop skimming and looking for the important security features of the card.
4. Limit employee access to cardholder information.

"There are a multitude of private sector efforts to prevent fraud and protect consumers," said Rolf Lundberg, Jr., senior vice president, congressional and public affairs, U.S. Chamber of Commerce. "The purpose of this joint data security campaign is to deliver valuable resources, and expert knowledge, to the business owners and managers right where they work, in their local communities."

The education seminars are titled "Payment Cards & Fraud Management: Securing the Transactions of the American Economy."