> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.dimepayments.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Virtual Terminal

> Take a live card or ACH payment on behalf of a customer in two quick steps.

## What the Virtual Terminal is

The Virtual Terminal lets you take a real payment on behalf of a customer, right from your dashboard. Unlike a [manual transaction](/help/shared/manual-transactions), which just records a payment you already collected, the Virtual Terminal charges the customer's card or bank account immediately. It is the tool to use when someone gives you their payment details over the phone or in person.

Open it from the green **New transaction** button at the top of the dashboard (labeled **New donation** on a nonprofit account), then choose **Online transaction**.

## Step 1: Choose the customer

The terminal opens on customer selection:

* **Existing customer**: search by name or email and select the customer.
* **New customer**: switch to the new-customer tab and fill in the required fields, which include first and last name, email, phone, and billing address (street, city, state, and ZIP).

Click **Continue** to move to payment.

## Step 2: Take the payment

<Steps>
  <Step title="Enter the amount">
    Enter the **amount** to charge, and an optional **memo**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Choose the payment method">
    Pick **Credit / debit card** or **Bank account (ACH)**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Enter the payment details">
    For a card, enter the name on the card, card number, expiration month and year, and CVV. For ACH, enter the bank details requested.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Process the payment">
    Click **Process payment**. The charge runs immediately and, on success, appears in your transactions like any other payment. Use **Back** if you need to return to the customer step first.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Warning>
  The Virtual Terminal takes a real payment as soon as you click **Process payment**. Confirm the amount and the customer before processing, since this is a live charge, not a recorded entry.
</Warning>

<Note>
  Enter payment details only with the customer's authorization. Card and bank information is processed securely through Dime Payments and is charged in real time.
</Note>