I've read the many posts on this site that say we are not allowed to store cc numbers if we are not pci-compliant. But, I'm wondering if it is possible to send a CC number through a form to an email address? Would that be still infringing on the standards?

The reason I ask is that a local business owner wants to retrieve a number through a form on his website, so he can manually enter the cc info on his end. I'm assuming the only way to properly get a credit card number is to setup a merchant account?

What's the best way to get a cc number without calling the actual customer? I'm thinking email is a bad idea as well.