The payments landscape is constantly evolving, and staying compliant with the latest regulations is crucial for the health and security of your business. Visa’s new Acquirer Monitoring Program (VAMP) is a significant update, consolidating previous programs to streamline oversight of acquirer and merchant risk.
At Payscout, a certified minority-owned company, we understand the unique challenges businesses face in navigating these complexities. We’re committed to not only providing cutting-edge payment solutions but also empowering our partners with the knowledge they need to thrive.
Here’s a comprehensive FAQ to help you understand VAMP and how Payscout can support your compliance efforts:
What is Visa’s Acquirer Monitoring Program (VAMP)?
VAMP, or Visa’s Acquirer Monitoring Program, is Visa’s consolidated and enhanced initiative designed to monitor transaction risk, prevent fraud, and ensure merchants and acquirers adhere to high standards of transaction security. It replaces the previous Visa Fraud Monitoring Program (VFMP) and Visa Dispute Monitoring Program (VDMP) with a unified framework.
Why did Visa introduce VAMP?
Visa introduced VAMP to streamline and strengthen its risk monitoring protocols. The aim is to create a more efficient and comprehensive system for tracking fraud rates, chargebacks, and disputes, ultimately enhancing the integrity and security of the global payment ecosystem. It also introduces a focus on “enumeration,” a growing type of card testing fraud.
When does VAMP go into effect?
VAMP officially integrated VDMP (Visa Dispute Monitoring Program) and VFMP (Visa Fraud Monitoring Program) on April 1, 2025. Visa initially announced an advisory period for the first three months (April 1, 2025 – June 30, 2025). However, this advisory period has been extended until October 1, 2025, giving businesses additional time to adjust without penalties. A second set of even stricter thresholds will go into effect on January 1, 2026.
Who is impacted by VAMP?
Both acquirers and merchants processing Visa transactions are impacted by VAMP. Acquirers are enrolled if their overall card-absent portfolio exceeds program thresholds, and individual merchants can also be flagged as “excessive” if their VAMP ratio exceeds specific limits, regardless of the acquirer’s overall portfolio performance.
What are the new VAMP thresholds?
VAMP introduces stricter thresholds for card-absent transactions.
For Merchants: Merchants are enrolled if their VAMP ratio meets or exceeds:
- 2% (220 basis points) in the U.S., Canada, Europe, CEMA, and AP regions (will be reduced to 150 bps effective 4/1/2026) .
- 5% (150 basis points) in the LAC region.
- From January 1, 2026, stricter thresholds will apply: “above standard” classification for merchants with a3% dispute ratio, while “excessive” merchants will be those exceeding 0.9%.
For Acquirers: Acquirers will be enrolled if their overall card-absent portfolio exceeds program thresholds. Initially, an “excessive” classification will apply. An “above standard” classification at lower thresholds will be introduced in 2026.
What are the minimum dispute requirements for VAMP enrollment?
To be enrolled in VAMP, an entity must exceed the following dispute minimums in a given month (for card-absent disputes, fraud and non-fraud combined):
- Acquirers: 1,500 or more
- Merchants: 1,500 or more
How is the VAMP Ratio calculated?
The new VAMP Ratio is calculated as follows:
Reported fraudulent transactions (TC40) + Non-fraud disputes (TC15)Total settled card-absent transactions
Key points for calculation:
- Only card-absent transactions are included.
- Fraud data is based on activity reported via Visa’s fraud (TC40)
- Disputes including reason codes 10, 11, 12, and 13, and are reported via (TC15) messages.
- Disputes resolved through Rapid Dispute Resolution (RDR), Chargeback Dispute Resolution Network (CDRN), or Collaboration Experience 3.0 (CE 3.0) are excluded for /TC15 items.
What is the VAMP Enumeration Ratio?
Visa is introducing a separate VAMP Enumeration Ratio to specifically monitor card testing fraud (also known as enumerated transactions or BIN (Bank Identification Number) attacks), where criminals test stolen payment information through brute-force methods. Merchants with fewer than 300,000 enumerated transactions will generally be excluded from this specific monitoring.
What are the fees and penalties for non-compliance with VAMP?
Visa will impose enforcement fees for exceeding thresholds:
- Acquirers “Above Standard”: $4 per fraudulent or disputed transaction.
- Acquirers “Excessive”: $8 per fraudulent or disputed transaction.
- Merchants “Excessive”: $8 per fraudulent or disputed transaction.
For first-time offenders, there’s a grace period (April – September 2025) where no penalties apply. However, enforcement begins October 1, 2025.
How can Payscout help merchants and acquirers comply with VAMP?
Payscout offers tailored fraud prevention solutions, comprehensive chargeback management tools, and expert guidance to help businesses stay compliant and avoid penalties. Our proactive approach includes:
- Advanced Fraud Prevention: Implementing tools like Address Verification Service (AVS), Card Verification Value (CVV) validation, 3-D Secure, and real-time fraud detection customized to your business.
- Strategic Chargeback Reduction: Leveraging solutions such as Rapid Dispute Resolution (RDR) and prevention alerts to resolve issues before they become chargebacks.
- Expert Consulting & Monitoring: Regularly training staff, updating fraud detection technology, and closely monitoring dispute ratios and transaction trends to ensure you remain below the new thresholds.
- Dedicated Support: Providing “White Glove” service and expert guidance to help you navigate VAMP complexities and optimize your payment strategy.
Why choose Payscout, a minority-certified company, for VAMP compliance?
Beyond our robust payment processing and compliance solutions, choosing Payscout means partnering with a certified Minority Business Enterprise (MBE). This commitment to diversity and inclusion not only aligns with corporate social responsibility initiatives but can also open doors to new opportunities, particularly for organizations seeking diverse suppliers. Our certification through bodies like the Southern California Minority Supplier Development Council (SCMSDC) reflects our dedication to excellence, innovation, and fostering a more equitable business landscape. We bring a unique perspective and deep understanding of diverse business needs to help you secure your operations against fraud and disputes.
Don’t leave your VAMP compliance to chance. Contact Payscout today at sales@payscout.com to learn how our solutions and expertise can help secure your business and keep you compliant with Visa’s evolving standards.
