What is the first step in a face-to-face credit card transaction?

The initial step in a face-to-face credit card transaction involves checking the card's security features. This is crucial as it helps to verify the authenticity of the card being used for the transaction. Ensuring the card is legitimate not only protects the merchant from potential fraud but also safeguards the customer's financial information. By inspecting security features such as holograms, color-shifting ink, and signature strips, the merchant can validate that the card has not been counterfeited or tampered with.

Swiping the card or asking for identification may come later in the process, as these steps assume the card has already been verified. Requesting payment in cash is not applicable in this context, since the transaction specifically involves a credit card. Each of these actions aims to ensure a secure and smooth transaction process, but the verification of security features stands as the foundational first step.