This morning – moments before Heartland Payment Systems’® scheduled 3Q09 earnings call – VeriFone Holdings, Inc. issued a news release containing false claims about the payments processor. In a disingenuous attack, VeriFone contends Heartland is not able to support its customers that use VeriFone terminals. At the same time, the news release falsely contends VeriFone can. Heartland has pending litigation against VeriFone, in which Heartland claims that VeriFone is attempting to line its own pockets by charging merchants unnecessary recurring expenses.

“Heartland is fully capable – and will continue to be fully capable – of servicing all of its customers,” commented Bob Carr, Heartland’s chairman and chief executive officer. “In fact, VeriFone is not able to support our customers. They can’t because our customers operate on our proprietary payments processing platforms. Heartland is the only entity that can provide full service – including ongoing service of VeriFone terminals – to them. This means our servicing of VeriFone-related issues is not – and will not be – impacted by VeriFone’s false claims and unethical attempts to scare our customers.

“VeriFone is attempting to tamper with our customers in an irresponsible way,” Carr continued. “With these fraudulent claims, VeriFone is pursuing its own agenda of creating recurring revenue at the expense of merchants and consumers.”

Heartland customers should not be fooled by VeriFone’s offer to register for “uninterrupted continuation of support” as noted in the VeriFone news release. Heartland advises its customers not to register for VeriFone support, visit the website or call the number noted in the release. Any customers using VeriFone terminals who are concerned about VeriFone support should contact the Heartland Service Center. They may qualify for a terminal upgrade.

About Heartland Payment Systems

Heartland Payment Systems, Inc. (NYSE:HPY), the 5th largest payments processor in the United States, delivers credit/debit/prepaid card processing, payroll, check management and payments solutions to more than 250,000 business locations nationwide. Heartland is the founding supporter of The Merchant Bill of Rights, a public advocacy initiative that educates merchants about fair credit and debit card processing practices. For more information, please visit HeartlandPaymentSystems.com, MerchantBillOfRights.com, E3secure.com and CostOfABurger.com

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release may contain statements of a forward-looking nature, which represent our management's beliefs and assumptions concerning future events. Forward-looking statements involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions and are based on information currently available to us. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements due to many factors. Information concerning these factors is contained in the Company's Securities and Exchange Commission filings, including but not limited to, the Company's annual report on Form 10-K, or Form 10-Q as applicable. We undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that may arise after the date of this release.