• Visa Merchant Business News Digest

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Highlighted stories

Visa Enabling Visa Transaction Advisor to Help Small Business Owners Prevent Fraud at Fuel Pumps

REGIONS: US

5 April 2021

Visa is supporting eligible small business owners in the fuel industry by enabling Visa Transaction Advisor (VTA) for no additional charge to help combat fraud at gas pumps.

VTA offers real-time risk assessment when consumers pay for fuel at the pump, helping deter fraudulent payment attempts as fuel merchants work toward implementing EMV® technology, proven to reduce fraud.

As fuel merchants upgraded their pumps to support EMV payments last year, counterfeit fraud rates declined simultaneously. From January 1 through September 30, 2020, counterfeit fraud rates declined by 22% and counterfeit fraud dollars declined by 32%. At the end of February 2021, approximately 51% of transactions on U.S. fuel pumps were EMV (VisaNet).

Visa Transaction Advisor will be automatically enabled for one year starting on April 17, 2021 to business owners who have yet to upgrade their pumps to process EMV. Visa Transaction Advisor operates invisibly to the cardholder to ensure a positive customer experience and leverages existing payment processes so no new investment in infrastructure is needed. If a transaction is deemed risky, the tool will help small business owners by prompting the consumer to pay inside the store. This deters fraudsters who often choose to drive away instead of going inside.

Visa’s intent to migrate to EMV chip transactions for secure payments was first announced in 2011 and the liability shift date for fuel pumps was extended for more than five years in total to support solution readiness. Visa continues to work closely with merchants, acquirers, and technology providers to support EMV chip acceptance at fuel merchants.

Real Time VAU to Be Enabled for Merchandise Return Transactions

REGIONS: US, Canada, CEMEA

25 March 2021

Visa will implement changes to the Real Time Visa Account Updater (VAU) service effective 16 April 2021 to support account replacement during the processing of credit voucher and merchandise return transactions. With this integration, clients can minimize declines due to outdated card information used for merchandise return transactions.

Read article about real time VAU

Deferred Authorization Indicator Reminder

REGIONS: US, AP, Canada, CEMEA, LAC, Europe

25 March 2021

Acquirers and their merchants are reminded that effective 16 April 2021, the deferred authorization indicator is required for card-present and card-absent deferred transaction authorizations to help ensure more authorization approvals. Issuers are also reminded to use the deferred authorization indicator in their authorization decision processing.

Read article about deferred authorization indicator

Changes to Transaction Data Requirements for Cross-Border OCTs in Canada

REGIONS: US, AP, Canada, CEMEA, LAC, Europe

18 March 2021

Effective 1 June 2021, all cross-border Visa Direct original credit transactions (OCTs) involving senders or recipients in Canada must contain the recipient address, in addition to the currently required data elements.

U.S. Consumer Credit Interchange Update

REGIONS: US

16 March 2021

Digital payments have empowered businesses large and small to continue serving their customers since the start of the pandemic. From the ability to tap a card or phone to avoid handling cash, to enabling the exponential shift to commerce online through ecommerce and new business models such as curbside pickup and delivery, Visa is proud of the role we have played in helping keep American businesses open during this extraordinary time. We believe the steps we have taken and are taking today will further support the recovery and will benefit businesses and consumers alike.

Recognizing U.S. businesses are still facing many challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, Visa has decided to significantly modify its planned April 2021 business release to delay the implementation of a number of interchange rate changes.

Earlier during the pandemic, Visa made changes to manage interchange, including an interchange reduction for supermarkets and grocery stores early last summer and deferral of any interchange changes for consumer card present retailer transactions. Now, as part of this delay, Visa is also postponing adjustments to rates applying to the ecommerce / card not present (CNP) channel until April 2022. The combined impact of Visa’s actions to support businesses and consumers has led to an overall decrease in interchange rates during the pandemic. Visa is committed to maintaining stability in our payments system and will not make any future interchange rate changes in the U.S. for another year while the economy recovers.

Managing a dynamic payment network requires constant evaluation of our rate structure and making adjustments in the normal course of business to ensure we incentivize merchants to accept Visa payments, consumers to use our products and financial institutions to serve their customers. We will continue to be thoughtful that any future adjustments accurately reflect the state of the economy, the value of payment transactions and ensure economics are balanced and competitive for all parties.

Merchants should consult with their acquirer to understand specific impacts of these changes.

Recent news

Status Check Messages Will Be Eliminated for All Merchants Except AFDs

REGIONS: US, AP, Canada, CEMEA, LAC, Europe

25 February 2021

Visa is clarifying that status check messages must only be used for transactions at automated fuel dispensers (AFDs). All other use-cases must use Account Verification messages.

Read article about status check messages

Reminder: Upcoming Processing Changes to Support Merchandise Return Authorization Transactions in the U.S.

REGIONS: US

25 February 2021

Clients are reminded that, effective 16 April 2021, Visa will implement changes to V.I.P System processing for credit voucher and merchandise return authorization transactions, apply new edits during stand-in processing and define valid response codes for merchandise return authorization requests. Visa also reminds U.S. acquirers that, effective 1 July 2021, the Processing Integrity Program will be extended to include credit voucher and merchandise return authorization transactions and clearing messages.

Best Practices to Mitigate Risk of Account Takeover Fraud

REGIONS: US, AP, Canada, CEMEA, LAC, Europe

11 February 2021

Visa is providing information about common account takeover fraud techniques, along with best practices to mitigate the risk of such fraud.

Read article about best practices to mitigate risk

Visa Will Discontinue Support of 3-D Secure 1.0.2

REGIONS: US, AP, Canada, CEMEA, LAC, Europe

4 February 2021

Effective 15 October 2022, Visa will discontinue support of 3-D Secure 1.0.2 and related technology.

Read article about discontinued support of 3-D secure

Reminder: Updates to the Current Credential-on-File Visa Mark

REGIONS: US, AP, Canada, CEMEA, LAC, Europe

14 January 2021

Visa is requiring that all partners, acquirers and online merchants update outdated logos at merchant checkout.

Read article about reminder updates to the current credential-on-file

Visa Acceptance Entity and Digital Wallet Guides Now Available

REGIONS: US, AP, Canada, CEMEA, LAC, Europe

14 January 2021

Visa has published two guides to help clients navigate the different entities in the Visa acceptance ecosystem, along with side-by-side comparisons of operational and technical requirements.

Read article about Visa acceptance entity

Updates and Clarifications to Dispute Rule Language

REGIONS: US, AP, Canada, CEMEA, LAC, Europe

14 January 2021

Visa will update dispute rule language and make additional revisions for clarity and consistency based on client feedback during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Read article about updates and clarifications to dispute

Production Version of EMV-Compliant L3 Test Files Available; Transition Timeline Updated

REGIONS: US, AP, Canada, CEMEA, LAC, Europe

7 January 2021

Visa’s production version of the EMV®-compliant Level 3 (L3) test files is now available. Clients may begin using the latest build to perform production L3 testing in accordance with Visa’s global L3 testing requirements. In addition, Visa is also announcing updates to the L3 transition timeline.

Read article about production version of EMV-Compliant L3

PSD2 SCA Regulatory Update for Non-EEA or UK Entities

REGIONS: US, AP, Canada, CEMEA, LAC, Europe

7 January 2021

The Payment Services Directive 2 (PSD2) requirements for strong customer authentication (SCA) for e-commerce in the European Economic Area (EEA) and United Kingdom (UK) also have implications for payment ecosystem participants outside of the EEA or UK. Visa is providing an update on how these changes may affect clients and entities providing services to EEA/UK issuers and merchants acquired in the EEA/UK who should ensure they are familiar with the potential impact to their business from SCA and take necessary steps.

Shared Data Security Responsibilities When Using a Cloud Service Provider

REGIONS: US, AP, Canada, CEMEA, LAC, Europe

7 January 2021

To ensure a secure and compliant payment environment, organizations using cloud service providers must understand the risks and responsibilities under the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS). Visa reminds clients, including sponsored agents and merchants, to list all facilities that the PCI DSS assessment covers (retail outlets, corporate offices, data centers, call centers, etc.) in the PCI Attestation of Compliance (AOC) and/or Report on Compliance (ROC) documents.

Read article about shared data security responsibilities

Reminder: Managing Disputes Through COVID-19—Best Practices for Issuers and Acquirers

REGIONS: US, AP, Canada, CEMEA, LAC, Europe

24 December 2020

Visa is providing a reminder of best practices to manage dispute processing in light of recent travel restrictions due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. While Visa has not made any changes to its dispute rules or processing procedures, this article includes helpful reminders of best practices within the existing rules.

Processing Integrity Program Will Include Merchandise Return Transactions Effective 1 July 2021

REGIONS: US

17 December 2020

Effective 1 July 2021, Visa will extend its U.S. Processing Integrity Program to include credit voucher and merchandise return authorization transactions and clearing messages.

Launch of Deferred Delivery OCTs

REGIONS: US

17 December 2020

To provide more flexible and convenient payout options for Visa clients and customers, in January 2021, Visa is introducing a new way to process original credit transactions (OCTs) called Deferred Delivery OCT.

Read article about launch of deferred delivery OCTs

Standards Reminders for Merchant Name / Descriptor Field

REGIONS: US, AP, Canada, CEMEA, LAC, Europe

15 December 2020

Visa is reminding acquirers of the importance of accurately and consistently populating the Merchant Name / Descriptor field, as well as the policy and framework, best practices and additional resources for further information.

Read article about standards reminders for merchant name

Revised Enhanced Descriptor Policy for Subscription Merchants Offering Free Trials or Discounted Introductory Promotions

REGIONS: US, AP, Canada, CEMEA, LAC, Europe

3 December 2020

Visa is removing the previously-announced requirement to provide enhanced statement descriptors for transactions at merchants that offer free trials or discounted introductory promotions.

Read article about revised enhanced descriptor policy

Numerics Initiative: Terminology Updates for VAU Reporting to Support Eight-Digit BINs

REGIONS: US, AP, Canada, CEMEA, LAC, Europe

19 November 2020

Effective with the April 2021 VisaNet Business Enhancements release, Visa will enhance Visa Account Updater (VAU) reporting to support the new terms "issuing Bank Identification Number (BIN)" and "Acquiring Identifier," which have replaced the term "BIN."

Read article about numerics initiative

U.S. Credit Interchange Update

REGIONS: US

12 November 2020

As part of the normal course of business, Visa routinely evaluates interchange rates to ensure the economics and value of transactions are balanced and competitive for all parties. Given the unprecedented impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the U.S. economy, Visa determined it would not make any structural changes to the payments ecosystem over the last year. This included delaying previously announced changes to Visa’s published U.S. credit interchange rates and structure from April 2020 to April 2021.

Visa will be implementing these previously delayed updates in April 2021 with a small number of changes to reflect the evolution of digital payments to online, enhance security and optimize acceptance and usage.

Specifically, we have decided to leave consumer credit card present retail rates unchanged in light of the fact that in-person retail continues to recover. In addition, Visa will provide a lower rate for certain card not present (CNP) consumer credit transactions processed using a Visa EMV Payment Token as of October 2021.  Incentivizing greater use of tokens will improve e-commerce authorization rates and bolster security at a time when fraudsters are increasingly targeting digital and e-commerce channels.

Visa is committed to facilitating secure and reliable digital commerce and ensuring the stability and resiliency of the payments ecosystem. All participants in the payments ecosystem derive a tremendous amount of value from the ability to pay with, and accept, electronic transactions. Digital payments provide businesses with numerous benefits including access to more consumers and new technologies to help them protect and grow their businesses.

Rapid Dispute Resolution (RDR): Proper Identification of RDR Transactions and Service Activation

REGIONS: US, Canada, CEMEA, Europe

29 October 2020

Visa will activate the RDR service for all issuers / issuer processors effective with the April 2021 Visa Resolve Online release. In addition, Visa is reminding acquirers and processors of required changes that must be made to support RDR.

Read article about RDR

Visa Rules for Mass Transit Updated; New Implementation Guides Available

REGIONS: US, AP, Canada, CEMEA, LAC, Europe

22 October 2020

Visa has updated its rules and definitions related to mass transit merchants and published new best practice implementation guides.

Read article about updated Visa Rules for mass transit

Visa Rules Changes to Support Persistent FX for Transactions Requiring Currency Conversion

REGIONS: US, AP, Canada, CEMEA, LAC, Europe

22 October 2020

The Visa Rules have been updated to support Persistent FX for transactions requiring currency conversion.

Account Funding Transaction Processing Guide and Visa Direct Original Credit Transaction Global Implementation Guide Updated

REGIONS: US, AP, Canada, CEMEA, LAC, Europe

22 October 2020

Visa has updated the Account Funding Transaction (AFT) Processing Guide and the Visa Direct Original Credit Transaction (OCT)—Global Implementation Guide. Clients and their partners that originate or receive AFTs and/or OCTs should review the updated guides for information on how to best support these transactions.

Printing Merchant and Terminal Identification Numbers on Transaction Receipts Will No Longer Be Permitted

REGIONS: US, AP, Canada, CEMEA, LAC, Europe

15 October 2020

The printing of merchant, terminal and card acceptor identification numbers on transaction receipts will no longer be permitted, effective 15 October 2022, as part of ongoing efforts to promote security for the payments system.

Updated, Expanded and Clarified Digital Wallet Policy

REGIONS: US, AP, Canada, CEMEA, LAC, Europe

1 October 2020

Visa has updated, expanded and clarified its digital wallet policy framework to provide greater clarity for clients globally. These changes will create a new digital wallet category (Stored Value Digital Wallet) effective 17 April 2021, and clarify Visa’s existing policy.

Updates to DCC Rules for Card-Present POS Transactions

REGIONS: US, AP, Canada, CEMEA, LAC, Europe

24 September 2020

Visa has updated its rules related to cardholder verification method (CVM) requirements for Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC) transactions. Visa is also announcing rules updates to phase out paper-based DCC.

Original Credit Transaction Expiration Date and CVV2 Requirement Change

REGIONS: US, AP, Canada, CEMEA, LAC, Europe

10 September 2020

Effective 1 April 2021, Visa will update the original credit transaction (OCT) requirements to clarify that an OCT does not require the presence of expiration date or Card Verification Value 2 (CVV2) data and must not be declined due to the absence of either of these data elements. If expiration date or CVV2 data is included in an OCT, it must be accurate and not expired. This rule clarification will provide clearer instructions for originating entities and receiving issuers and is intended to improve OCT authorization performance.

Visa Secure Rules Will Be Updated to Support Authentication for Non-Payment Transactions

REGIONS: US, AP, Canada, CEMEA, LAC, Europe

10 September 2020

Visa will update its rules for Visa Secure to enhance the program and account for new functionality for processing EMV® 3DS (3-D Secure) non-payment transactions.

Read article about Visa Secure rules

Stand-In Processing for Non-Reloadable Prepaid Cards

REGIONS: US, AP, Canada, CEMEA, LAC, Europe

10 September 2020

Effective 16 April 2021, Visa will implement stand-in processing for non-reloadable prepaid card recurring and installment authorizations approved by issuers in violation of the Visa Rules.

Read article about stand-in processing for non-reloadable prepaid cards

Updates to Rules for Declined Transaction Resubmission and Use of Authorization Response Codes

REGIONS: US, Canada, LAC, Europe

3 September 2020

Effective 17 April 2021, Visa will update its rules for declined transaction resubmission and the use of authorization response codes. Additionally, response code descriptions will be aligned with descriptions in the V.I.P. System technical specifications and some response codes will move to different response code categories.

Read article about updates to rules for declined transaction resubmission

Numerics Initiative: Simplified Requirements for Eight-Digit Issuing BIN Adoption

REGIONS: US, AP, Canada, CEMEA, LAC, Europe

27 August 2020

Effective with the April 2022 VisaNet Business Enhancements release, Visa will implement eight-digit issuing Bank Identification Numbers (BINs) in accordance with the transition announced by the International Organization for Standardization to an eight-digit format from the current six-digit standard. Visa is now simplifying requirements for stakeholders in recognition of the current business environment.

Read article about numerics initiative simplified requirements

Updates to Visa Fraud Monitoring Program Standard Timeline and Dispute Condition 10.5 Liability Shift Rules

REGIONS: US, AP, Canada, CEMEA, LAC, Europe

27 August 2020

Visa will update the Visa Fraud Monitoring Program (VFMP) standard timeline and Dispute Condition 10.5 liability shift rules to improve the efficiency of the VFMP.

Read article about updates to Visa fraud monitoring program

Visa Business Solutions Launches Data Quality Program

REGION: US

27 August 2020

Visa Business Solutions has launched the Data Quality Program to analyze level III data received in transactions against published data requirements.

Read article about Visa business solutions

Updated EMV 3-D Secure User Experience Guidelines Available at Visa Developer Center

REGIONS: US, AP, Canada, CEMEA, LAC, Europe

20 August 2020

To support issuer and merchant enablement for EMV® 3-D Secure (EMV 3DS) and assist in the creation of consistent EMV 3DS authentication challenge experiences, Visa has updated its User Experience Guidelines for EMV 3DS. The updated UX guidelines can be found on the Visa Developer Center.

Read article about updated EMV 3-D secure user experience guidelines

In-App Transaction Identification Reminders

REGIONS: US, AP, Canada, CEMEA, LAC, Europe

20 August 2020

Application-based mobile payment transactions are quickly expanding into additional merchant segments. To limit unnecessary declines, Visa encourages clients to be aware of this transaction method.

Read article about in-app transaction identification

Visa Secure Certificate Expiration Update

REGIONS: US, AP, Canada, CEMEA, LAC, Europe

13 August 2020

Visa Secure certificates will only be issued with a one-year validity beginning 1 September 2020.

Read article about Visa secure certificate expiration

Key Block Effective Dates Extended

REGIONS: US, AP, Canada, CEMEA, LAC, Europe

6 August 2020

The Payment Card Industry Security Standards Council (PCI SSC) has extended the effective dates of the PCI PIN key block requirements for Phase 2 and Phase 3. The PIN Security Program and Visa’s requirement to exchange keys in the key block format will align with the revised effective dates.

Read article about key block effective dates

Fallback Blocking for Transactions From U.S. or Canada-Issued Cards in Brazil

REGION: US

6 August 2020

Due to continued fraudulent fallback attacks originating in Brazil, effective 16 October 2020, Visa will start blocking ATM and POS magnetic stripe fallback transactions from U.S. or Canada-issued cards.

Read article about fallback blocking for transactions

Acquirers Must Ensure Compliance With Visa Surcharging and Cash Discounting Rules

REGION: US

6 August 2020

Acquirers are reminded that they must ensure that their merchants and third party agents, such as independent sales organizations, are in compliance with Visa's surcharging and cash discounting rules. This includes reviewing and approving all sales materials, collateral and technologies provided by third party agents to merchants that support surcharging or cash discounts and monitoring merchants for non-compliant practices.

Sunset of Retrieval Requests and Changes to Visa Easy Payment Service After Making Signatures Optional for All Transactions

REGIONS: US, AP, Canada, CEMEA, LAC, Europe

6 August 2020

After making signature capture and validation optional for all merchants globally, resulting changes are required to the Visa Easy Payment Service. Visa will sunset retrieval requests along with dispute compliance rights related to the presence or validity of signatures on transaction receipts after 16 October 2020.

Read article about sunset of retrieval requests and changes to Visa easy payment

Sunset of Retrieval Requests and Impact on Healthcare Auto-Substantiation Transaction Receipt Requests

REGION: US

6 August 2020

Visa will sunset retrieval requests effective 16 October 2020, as signature validation is no longer mandatory, and will continue to uphold commitments to Special Interest Group for IIAS Standards and support Healthcare Auto-Substantiation Transaction Receipt Requests.

Read article about sunset of retrieval requests and impact on healthcare

Account Funding Transaction (AFT) Processing Guide and Visa Direct Original Credit Transaction (OCT) Global Implementation Guide Updated

REGIONS: US, AP, Canada, CEMEA, LAC, Europe

30 July 2020

Visa has updated the Account Funding Transaction (AFT) Processing Guide and the Visa Direct Original Credit Transaction (OCT)—Global Implementation Guide. Clients and their partners that originate or receive AFTs and/or Visa Direct OCTs should review the updated guides for information on how to best support these transactions.

Visa File Exchange Service Key Exchange Key Algorithm for Secure Shell (SSH) and Session Connection Cipher Changes

REGIONS: US, AP, Canada, CEMEA, LAC, Europe

23 July 2020

To meet Payment Card Industry Security Standards Council (PCI SSC) compliance commitments and maintain the highest standards of system security, Visa will be upgrading the Visa File Exchange Service (VFES) platform to utilize stronger key exchange key algorithms and session connection cipher suites, while concurrently decommissioning older and less secure algorithms and Transport Layer Security (TLS) cipher suites effective 14 October 2020. Clients must ensure that their systems are ready or updated to support new requirements in order to successfully connect to the VFES platform once these changes are in effect.

Read article about Visa file exchange service key exchange key algorithm

Update to Domestic ATM Acceptance Rule

REGIONS: US, AP, Canada, CEMEA, LAC, Europe

2 July 2020

Visa will retire the section of its domestic ATM acceptance rule that allows an ATM acquirer to selectively deny cardholder access to the Visa Global ATM Network.

Read article about update to domestic ATM acceptance rule

Visa Rules Will Be Updated to Globalize Duplicate Transaction Data Requirements

REGIONS: US, AP, Canada, CEMEA, LAC, Europe

2 July 2020

Effective 17 April 2021, Visa will update its rules to globalize requirements for the correction of duplicate or erroneous clearing transactions.

Read article about Visa rules will be updated to globalize duplicate transaction data

New Deferred Authorization Message Reason Code for Token Transactions

REGIONS: US, AP, Canada, CEMEA, LAC, Europe

2 July 2020

The deferred authorization indicator on a deactivated token in Field 63.3 now has the appended value of 5602 for all token authorization requests submitted by transit agencies.

Read article about new deferred authorization message reason code

Expanded Position on PCI DSS Applicability for Virtual Visa Accounts

REGIONS: US, AP, Canada, CEMEA, LAC, Europe

11 June 2020

Visa is providing updated information on the applicability of the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) requirements for virtual Visa accounts.

Read article about expanded position on PCI DSS

Visa Fraud Monitoring Program Will Be Extended to Help Mitigate Counterfeit Fraud at U.S. Automated Fuel Dispensers

REGIONS: US

4 June 2020

In response to the global health, economic and operational uncertainty brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, Visa has extended the U.S. domestic automated fuel dispenser EMV® liability shift to 17 April 2021, and has also extended the Visa Fraud Monitoring Program for automated fuel dispensers (VFMP-AFD) during the interim period. This article provides additional details about the VFMP-AFD program extension.

Read article about Visa fraud monitoring program

POS Terminals Must Be Correctly Configured to Accept New Card Products

REGIONS: US, AP, Canada, CEMEA, LAC, Europe

28 May 2020

Visa is reminding clients of configuration requirements for POS terminals to successfully accept new card products. Failure to configure terminals according to Visa requirements can cause rejection of cards and a poor customer experience.

Read article about POS terminals must be correctly configured

Guidelines for Proper Use of Visa Tables for Routing and Processing

REGIONS: US, AP, Canada, CEMEA, LAC, Europe

21 May 2020

Given the continued growth of players within the payments ecosystem and changes in the use of numeric assets such as Bank Identification Numbers (BINs) and account ranges, it is more important than ever to ensure our partners are using Visa-supplied data to route and process transactions correctly. 

Read article about guidelines for proper use of Visa tables

New Consumer Bill Payment Service To Be Introduced in the U.S.

REGIONS: US

21 May 2020

Effective 17 October 2020, Visa will create a new designation for consumer third party bill pay service providers with the introduction of the Consumer Bill Payment Service.

Signature Requirement Is Optional for All Merchants

REGIONS: US, AP, Canada, CEMEA, LAC, Europe

14 May 2020

Visa is extending the option to require signature capture and validation for all merchants, globally. In 2018, Visa announced that the capture and validation of a cardholder’s signature would be optional for all EMV®-enabled merchants. In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, effective 14 May 2020, Visa is extending the same policy change to all merchants, even if they have not deployed EMV chip capabilities, to reduce the need for customers to interact physically with POS terminals.

Visa Control Period Extended

REGIONS: US, AP, Canada, CEMEA, LAC, Europe

7 May 2020

In support of the unique environment that COVID-19 has created, Visa previously announced that it was imposing a control period, which was to expire on 4 May 2020. Visa has extended the control period to 2 June 2020.

Read article about Visa control period extended

Visa’s Operational Business Response to COVID-19:
U.S. Automated Fuel Dispenser EMV Liability Shift Delayed to 2021; Updated Interchange and Fee Implementation Dates and Details for Acquirers

REGIONS: US

30 April 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the world in ways nobody could have predicted. Because of the unprecedented circumstances created by COVID-19, Visa will further delay implementation dates and impact of certain previously announced U.S. interchange and fee changes to April 2021.

We are also capping dispute fees incurred as a direct result of COVID-19 pandemic, to help our clients as they work to resolve cardholder disputes and provide refunds for impacted services.

Lastly, we are further delaying the EMV® liability shift for U.S. domestic automated fuel dispenser transactions to April 2021.

We believe these actions are the right thing to do and the most prudent approach to ensuring the long-term stability of the payments ecosystem.

Revised Sunset Date for Mass Transit Static Data Authentication Acceptance

REGIONS: US, AP, Canada, CEMEA, LAC, Europe

30 April 2020

Visa has revised the sunset date for acceptance of Static Data Authentication contactless payments in the mass transit environment to 18 October 2020. Following the sunset of these rules, Visa will require all new contactless-only transit terminals to support only fast dynamic data authentication.

Read article about revised sunset date for mass transit

Managing Disputes Through COVID-19: Government Prohibition and Dispute Processing Guidelines

REGIONS: US, AP, Canada, CEMEA, LAC, Europe

23 April 2020

Visa is providing additional information on best practices to manage dispute processing as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak.

Read article about managing disputes through Covid-19 government prohibition

Managing Disputes Through COVID-19: Additional Best Practices

REGIONS: US, AP, Canada, CEMEA, LAC, Europe

21 April 2020

Visa is providing additional information on best practices to manage dispute processing as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak. We will continue to share updates and additional information, as available.

Visa Dispute Rule Language Updates and Clarifications

REGIONS: US, AP, Canada, CEMEA, LAC

17 April 2020

Visa is making miscellaneous revisions to dispute rules for clarity and consistency and removing obsolete or duplicate rules.

Read article about Visa dispute rule language

Merchants Using 3DS 1.0.2 Will No Longer Receive Fraud Liability Protection

REGIONS: US, AP, Canada, CEMEA, LAC, Europe

16 April 2020

Effective 17 October 2021, fraud liability protection for merchants submitting transactions using Visa Secure with 3-D Secure (3DS) 1.0.2 will no longer apply.

Rent Payment Program Will Be Introduced in the U.S.

REGIONS: U.S.

16 April 2020

Visa will introduce the Visa Rent Payment Program, which allows qualifying property owners, or their qualified third party agents that process the payments, to assess a capped fee to cardholders.

Read article about rent payment program

Managing Disputes through COVID-19: Additional Information on Programs and Support

REGIONS: US, AP, Canada, CEMEA, LAC, Europe

14 April 2020

Visa is providing additional information on dispute processing as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak. We will continue to share updates and additional information, as available.

COVID-19 Update—Policy for Subscription Merchants Offering Free Trials or Discounted Introductory Promotions

REGIONS: US, AP, Canada, CEMEA, LAC, Europe

14 April 2020

Visa is providing an update on planned changes to acceptance and disclosure policies for transactions at merchants that offer free trials or discounted introductory promotions as part of an ongoing subscription service.

Read article about Covid-19 update-policy for subscription merchants

Postal Code for Ireland Merchants Will Be Required in Authorization Requests

REGIONS: US, AP, Canada, CEMEA, LAC, Europe

9 April 2020

For card-present transactions with merchants physically located in the Republic of Ireland, Visa will require acquirers to capture the merchant’s Eircode (postal code) and include it in the authorization request message. Additionally, acquirers must provide Eircode updates to the Acquirer Merchant Master File.

Read article about postal code for Ireland merchants

Merchant Options for Reducing Cardholder Interaction During COVID-19

REGIONS: US, AP, Canada, CEMEA, LAC, Europe

7 April 2020

Visa is reminding merchants about available options that are strongly recommended to reduce the need for cardholders to interact physically with POS terminals.

Read article about merchant options for reducing cardholder interaction during COVID-19

Merchant Best Practices and Webinars are available on Visa.com

Online Merchant Dispute Guide

Visa published an easy-to-use guide to help smaller merchants navigate the world of transaction disputes. For more information, please see Dispute Management Guidelines for Visa Merchants on Visa.com.

What to Do If Compromised

The updated resource defines required procedures in response to an account data compromise.

Counterfeit Fraud Mitigation Tools for Automated Fuel Dispenser Transactions: Fuel Merchants Who Are Not EMV Chip Enabled

As merchants in United States enable their payment card acceptance infrastructure for EMV chip technology starting October 1, 2015, counterfeit fraud will increasingly migrate to acceptance segments that have not implemented EMV chip technology, such as automated fuel dispensers (AFDs). This will lead to counterfeit fraud chargeback liability for fuel merchants if AFD EMV chip acceptance enablement is not completed by October 1, 2020.

Learn more about Counterfeit Fraud Mitigation Tools

Visa Partial Authorization Service: Improve the Customer Experience and Increase Sales

Visa prepaid and debit cards are popular forms of payment at the register. Visa’s Partial Authorization service provides an alternative to declining a transaction when the card’s available balance is not sufficient to approve a transaction in full. Participating issuers return an authorization response with an approval for a portion of the original amount requested, enabling the remainder of the transaction amount to be paid by other means using split tender functionality.

More at Visa.com Merchant Resource Library

More webinars and documents containing in-depth information designed to help Visa merchants navigate acceptance, fraud, data security, authorization and more. Download, print and keep them on hand at your business.

This digest consists of summaries only and does not supersede or modify Visa Business News publications. Please contact your Acquirer for further information about any publications.  Actual Visa Business News articles are not public materials and should not be treated as public documents, e.g., posting on merchant websites, etc.

The Visa Business News was launched to Europe clients on August 11, 2016. Prior to that, announcements were communicated via Visa Europe Member Letter.