Merchant Resource Library

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

April 10, 2017

Improve the Customer Return Process:  New Purchase Return Authorization Message

Today, cardholders have real-time, 24/7 access to their online banking through smartphone and other device apps. Purchase information is quickly updated to a cardholder’s account, however, a similar flow of information does not exist on purchase returns. Visa’s new return authorization messages will enable issuers to update cardholders’ online banking statements in real time and provide text alerts to those cardholders that opt in to the service with their issuer. This new service will improve customer experience, reduce inquiries related to lack of real-time information, provide real-time issuer account validation, and minimize related chargebacks.

PDF 520 KB

 

April 07, 2017

Pay Acceptance for US Quick-Service Restaurants

The information contained in the Visa Payment Acceptance Best Practices for U.S. Quick-Service Restaurants guide is geared toward the actions and decisions most pertinent to quick-service restaurants and operators in the U.S. It also includes best practices and on-the-job support tools for managers and employees.

PDF 4.6 MB

 

April 06, 2017

U.S. Automated Fuel Dispenser EMV Liability Shift Delayed

Visa has been working with merchants, acquirers, and fuel-industry providers to support migration to the more secure EMV technology. The EMV liability shift is designed to better protect all parties. With the new rules, the party that is the cause of a chip transaction not occurring, either the issuer or acquirer, will be held financially responsible for any resulting card-present counterfeit fraud losses. However, due to challenges with EMV Automated Fuel Dispensers (AFD) solution readiness, Visa is delaying the U.S. domestic AFD EMV liability shift date to 1 October 2020.

PDF 461 KB

 

March 29, 2017

Third Party Risk Program Initiatives 

Webinar deck highlights tools and resources that are available to clients and merchants to mitigate risks when selecting a service provider partner. Additional highlights include Third Party Agent Risk Program initiatives, including unregistered agent campaigns and multiple tool enhancements.

PDF 1.1 MB

 

18 January 2017

Manual Key Entry and Card Verification Value 2 for US Merchants

With the migration of EMV chip acceptance devices, Visa is implementing two significant changes at the POS.

PDF 216 KB

 

 

2 March 2017

Visa Payment Acceptance Best Practices for US Retail Petroleum Merchants

The best ways to process card transactions and manage the risks posed by card payments in the fuel segment.

PDF 2.6 MB

 

 

1 March 2017

Visa Security Alert: Flokibot Malware

Multiple information security firms have reported on the emerging threat of a new malware variant identified as “Flokibot”. While Flokibot attacks have focused on the LAC region to date, this malware may represent a broader threat to the payments ecosystem. Visa is publishing this alert in order to provide clients and stakeholders with technical information, including background on the malware, indicators of compromise and suggested mitigation activities to protect the payments ecosystem.

PDF 488 KB

 

21 February 2017

Visa Publication: Racing to Security

It is always a great opportunity to set goals and make plans to achieve them. While motivation is at an all-time high, consider taking the following actions to help secure the payments ecosystem at the merchant level.

PDF 426 KB

 

 

 

1 February 2017

Card Acceptance Guidelines for Visa Merchants

Download this comprehensive manual for all businesses that accept Visa transactions in the card-present and/or card-absent environment. This guide provides the latest information and best practices to help merchants process Visa transactions, understand Visa products and rules and protect cardholder data while minimising the risk of loss from fraud.

PDF 5.9 MB

 

 

 

30 December 2016

Visa Security Alert: General Skimming Alert

As the US market migrates to EMV chip, the fraud threat from criminals placing skimming devices on, or in, attended and unattended point-of–sale (POS) devices for the purpose of collecting payment card information, including PIN numbers, increases. Perpetrators use skimmed payment information to quickly create counterfeit cards re-encoded with the stolen card information typically resulting in ATM withdrawals. To help clients combat skimming, Visa is providing guidance on recommended inspection and response actions. This data security alert may be disseminated to all payment system stakeholders.

PDF 111 KB

 

 

 

13 December 2016

Counterfeit Fraud Mitigation Tools for Automated Fuel Dispenser Transactions

This document describes 3 tools that can be used to help reduce counterfeit fraud on AFD transaction.

PDF 1009 KB

   

 

13 December 2016

Visa Partial Authorisation Service – Improve the Customer Experience and Increase Sales

Visa provides a Partial Authorisation service that provides an alternative to declining a transaction when the card’s available balance is not sufficient to approve a transaction in full. This flyer provides information about the benefits realised, how to use the service, and answers to frequently asked questions.

PDF 326 KB

 

8 December 2016

Webinar: Preventing Card-Not-Present Fraud

Chip card technology in the USA has created new challenges for committing fraud at the physical point of sale. Data compromises continue to occur, with fraud migrating online and into other card-not-present channels. As a result, some merchants may experience an increase in chargebacks and transaction declines, cutting into their profitability. In this webinar, learn about current fraud trends and strategies to mitigate fraud in e-commerce. Visa shares common flags for card-not-present fraud and methods for managing and resolving transaction disputes.

PDF 1.3 MB

 

17 November 2016

Bulletin: Cyber Monday: Layer Up for Safer Holiday Sales

Global e-commerce sales are expected to double from 2015 to 2019. While growth in this sales channel creates great opportunities for merchants, it also has the ability to attract high levels of fraud activity. With the holiday season fast approaching, merchants should understand how to best protect against Card Not Present Fraud.

PDF 678 KB

 

16 November 2016

Webinar: Top 10 Signs of a Payment Data Breach

Recognising the signs of a cyber-attack can make the difference between falling victim to a Point-of-Sale compromise and stopping a breach in progress or preventing one altogether. Through research and intelligence gathered from payment data breach investigations, Visa identified many common tactics, attack characteristics and malware types across breaches in every merchant vertical. Learn some of the new developments in Point-of-Sale network attacks and gain insights into data exfiltration methods as well as how to spot the common warning signs of a breach within the payment environment. Knowing the attacker’s tactics and tools goes a long way in building better defences.

PDF 607 KB

 

26 October 2016

Webinar: EMV Migration - Not as Scary as it Used to Be

With steady progress and growth of EMV since 1 October 2015, there are now more than 1.46 million chip-enabled businesses and 363 million chip-enabled Visa cards, making the USA the largest Visa chip card market in the world. The number of Visa chip transactions surpassed half a billion in the month of August, representing a 1,000+ percent annual increase. As we reach the one-year anniversary of the EMV liability shift, many questions remain regarding the process behind the migration and the advancements made in the past year. This session discussed why the USA moved to EMV, the progress the industry and Visa has made in the past year, analyse early results and updates on further enhancements, such as Visa Quick Chip. 

PDF 1.1 MB

 

28 September 2016

Webinar: Effectively Managing Account Data Compromises

Protecting the payment system is a shared responsibility. During this webinar, Visa experts shared latest compromise trends, mitigation strategies, and the latest 'What To Do If Compromised' document.

PDF 3.6 MB

 

26 September 2016

 Visa Security Alert: Protect Against ATM Cash-Out Fraud

Visa has seen an increase in global ATM cash-out fraud, which can extract millions of dollars from financial institutions in a short time. The key to limiting losses is quick detection and decisive action, carefully coordinated with Visa. ATM cash-out fraud can happen at any time, anywhere in the world. It often affects issuers in one country and acquirers in another. To help clients combat this global and sophisticated type of fraud, Visa is providing guidance and best practices.

PDF 116 KB

 

30 August 2016

Visa Security Alert: ATM Malware Compromise

In late August 2016, Visa became aware of a recent ATM malware compromise in SoutheastAsia and is providing indicators of compromise (IOCs) in order to enable security and incident response teams of financial institutions and ATM manufacturers to check and secure network environments. While these IOCs are specifically associated with an investigation involving ATMs in the Southeast Asia incident, Visa notes that the methods employed by the criminals in this incident represent a broader criminal threat to ATM manufacturers/models worldwide and their deployers.

Visa previously published a technical analysis on malware, including filenames, malware hashes, and criminal methodology involved in a separate ATM Jackpotting incident in the Asia-Pacific region. While there are similarities between the two events, this notification serves to highlight key differentiators –including malware and methodologies - pertaining to the incident in Southeast Asia.

 

PDF 641 KB

 

 

 

24 August 2016

Webinar: Guarding Against Card-Not-Present Fraud

Mobile purchases increased to nearly one in five online orders and generated about $69.1 billion during the most recent holiday season. As mobile payments grow, fraud risks increase. Knowing the differences between e-commerce and m-commerce fraud is a critical first step in protecting merchants. Visa and CyberSource experts explain how a process-based approach can help clients detect and control mobile fraud.

PDF 1.75 MB

 

 

 

12 August 2016

Visa Security Alert: Oracle MICROS Compromise

On Monday, 8 August 2016, Oracle Security informed Oracle MICROS customers that it had detected malicious code in certain legacy MICROS systems. Oracle is currently investigating the compromise, and as of 12 August 2016, the company has not published details about the cause/s. Visa is issuing this alert to provide indicators of compromise (IOCs) associated with cybercrime threats known to have previously targeted Oracle systems. 

PDF 682 KB

 

 

 

9 August 2016

Webinar: Protect the Payment System from Account Testing and Fraudulent Authorisations

Visa shares the profile of criminal account testing and associated fraudulent authorisations, and the best practices that payment operations groups must deploy to restrict fraud.

PDF 2.5 MB

 

 

 

4 August 2016

Webinar: PCI DSS Small Merchant Resources

The PCI Security Standards Council convened a small merchant business taskforce to provide guidance and feedback to prepare resources that simplify data security for some of the most vulnerable businesses preyed upon by cybercriminals. Relying on cross-industry expertise to help small merchants understand why and how to protect payment card data and resolve risks to their businesses the taskforce has developed a toolkit to aid this effort.

PDF 1.5 MB

 

 

4 August 2016

Visa Security Alert: ATM Jackpot Malware

Visa highlights the ATM “Jackpotting” incidents in the attached data security alert. This publication provides information regarding indicators of compromise (IOCs) as well as recommendations for response.

PDF 586 KB

 

 

2 August 2016

Providing the Proper Location of Your Merchant Business

This flyer provides clarification of the rules which detail how a merchant should identify the proper location for all transactions processed through the Visa system. Providing the proper information helps prevent unnecessary cardholder disputes and reduces additional risk to the Visa system. 

PDF 673 KB

 

 

15 July 2016

Visa Security Alert: Magento Vulnerabilities Affecting E-commerce Merchants

Magento is a popular open-source, e-commerce platform written in PHP. Several critical and high vulnerabilities were discovered and patched on the Magento platform in January 2016. Merchants who have not deployed security patch SUPEE-7405, as required by PCI standards, are vulnerable to remote exploits that can compromise account data. Document shares a description and impact of Magento and provides detection and mitigation steps.

PDF 302 KB

 

12 July 2016

Visa Security Alert: PoSeidon Malware persistence Monitoring

In March 2016, the PoSeidon (point-of-sale) PoS malware was modified with the incorporation of a persistence monitoring capability. PoSeidon malware now actively monitors the PoS system processes in order to maintain the infection and malware functionality. If the malware is removed from the system, the monitor process waits two (2) minutes and re-infects the system. Document provides an overview of the threat and risk description and best practices to mitigate against PoSeidon.

PDF 339 KB

 

28 Jun 2016

Webinar: Skimming at the Point of Sale

In response to a rise in incidents in which skimming devices were placed on POS terminals to collect payment card information, Visa shares typical skimming events that affect self-checkout terminals and the ways in which perpetrators carry out these attacks and how merchants can identify and properly manage these incidents.

PDF 3.5 MB

 

14 Jun 2016

Manual Key Entry and Card Verification Value 2 for Merchants

Outlines upcoming changes to the acceptance process at the point of sale for merchants using chip acceptance devices.

PDF 198 KB

 

Jun 7, 2016

Account Number Verification Service – A quick method to verify accounts

Visa provides an Account Number Verification (ANV) Service that assists merchants in verifying if an account is in good standing. This flyer provides information about the service and gives various scenarios for real-life application.

PDF 391 KB

 

1 Jun 2016

Online Pharmacy Guide for Acquirers

A manual for acquirers who have boarded, or are considering boarding, an Internet pharmacy or Internet pharmacy referral merchant.

PDF 1.2 MB

 20 May 2016

Chargeback Management Guidelines for Visa Merchants

Managing chargebacks, cardholder disputes, copy requests and chargeback reason codes

PDF 5.1M

 

12 May 2016

Visa Bulletin: Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard Version 3.2 Published

The Payment Card Industry Security Standards Council (PCI SSC) has published version 3.2 of the PCI DSS, which provides a baseline of technical and operational requirements designed to protect cardholder data. The bulletin includes key updates, effective dates for implementation and additional resources.

PDF 285 KB

 

12 May 2016

VISA SECURITY ALERT: THREAT LANDSCAPE: PIN PAD/POS SKIMMING

A Visa security alert describing recent incidents involving suspects placing skimming devices on point-of–sale (POS) terminals for the purpose of collecting payment card information, including PIN numbers.

 

PDF 106 KB

 

11 May 2016

PCI DSS: A Look Inside V3.2

The Payment Card Industry Standards Security Council (PCI SSC) which is responsible for defining the technical and operation standards for the protection of payment card data will release an update to the PCI Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) in late April 2016. Visa’s representatives on the PCI SSC will provide information on what to expect with Version 3.2, review the key changes associated with this release and outline dates and impacts to Visa compliance programmes.

 

PDF 819 KB

 

6 May 2016

Counterfeit Fraud Mitigation Best Practices for Service Station Transactions - Fuel Merchants Who Are Not EMV Chip Enabled

This flyer provides best practices to help reduce counterfeit fraud for service station transactions where merchants are not yet accepting chip cards.

 

PDF 447 KB

 

 

21 Apr 2016

Processing Refunds to Cardholders in a Merchant Store Location

Following Visa’s requirements for processing a refund will help keep your customers informed and reduce the number of questions you may receive as the result of a return. This flyer describes best practices in processing a refund to a cardholder’s account.

PDF 789 KB

 

 

18 Apr 2016

Enabling Omni Commerce A Seamless Shopping Experience

Many merchants are creating an omni-channel experience for their customers that provides convenient, seamless and secure delivery across all of their channels, including in-store, e-commerce, telephone, mobile web and mobile app. This flyer describes the omni-channel experience depending on the payment and delivery option selected by the customer.

 

PDF 654 KB

 

14 Apr 2016

Visa Claims Resolution - Efficient Dispute Processing for Merchants

Visa Claims Resolution, a new global initiative will replace Visa’s existing dispute resolution process. VCR will simplify dispute processing by migrating from a litigation-based approach to a liability-assignment-based approach. This flyer describes the new process, consolidation of reason codes, and merchant benefits.

 

PDF 10.3 MB

 

13 Apr 2016

Identifying, Preventing and Mitigating Skimming Attacks

Visa and a guest speaker from NCR Corporation discuss the latest skimming techniques and technology, as well as, how to spot skimming devices and safeguard against sophisticated attacks.

PDF 10.3 MB

24 Mar 2016

Best Practices for Authorisation and Reversal Processing - For US Lodging, Car Rental and Cruise Line Merchants

A flyer for lodging, car rental, and cruise line merchants to help them ensure that authorisations are not improperly tying up customer funds.

PDF 897 KB

 

 

 

23 Mar 2016

Stay One Step Ahead of Hackers With Visa Threat Intelligence

Visa and a guest speaker from FireEye explain how financially motivated attackers are targeting customer data and the payment ecosystem. The session dived into security vulnerabilities and techniques hackers use  to steal customer information, including payment card data. Visa subject matter experts also provide valuable cyberthreat indicators, risk mitigation strategies and practical guidance on how to detect these threats and secure systems from attack.

PDF 1.4 MB

 

 

 

 

 

 

8 Mar 2016

 

 

Counterfeit Fraud Mitigation Best Practices - Point-of-Sale Merchants Who are Not EMV Chip Enabled

 

Four best practices that merchants can implement to help reduce counterfeit fraud for point-of-sale transactions.

     

    PDF 932 KB

 

 

 

 

4 Mar 2016

Quick Service Restaurants-Chip Card Acceptance in the USA

 

A flyer for quick service restaurants demonstrating how to use a chip cards for payment at the point of sale.

     

    PDF 735 KB

 

 

 

 

Mar 1, 2016

Visa Acceptance Guide for Lodging and Cruise Line Merchants

 

Operational procedures for special services for lodging and cruise line merchants

 

PDF1.2 MB

 

  • 24 Feb 2016

    Third Party Risk Programme

  • Visa provides an overview of the risks third parties may introduce into the payment ecosystem and recent programme updates and mandates (including small merchant and use of Qualified Integrators and Resellers). Additionally, highlights tools and resources available to issuers, acquirers and merchants when selecting service provider partners. 
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  • PDF 1.7 MB

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    1 Feb 2016

    “Kuhook” POS Malware

    Visa highlights “Kuhook” Point-of-Sale (POS) malware, a variant from the “ModPOS” malware family. This point of sale malware, “Kuhook”, is one of the most sophisticated and difficult to detect payment card stealing malware identified. Visa experts and Mandiant highlight the malware capabilities, indicators of compromise and mitigation steps.

    PDF 4,770K

     

  • 29 Jan 2016

    Let your customers know you accept Visa.

    Learn how best to communicate that you accept Visa cards and/or mobile payments with Visa. Download the Visa POS Graphic for display at physical locations, on payment terminals and on websites.

    ZIP 2.6M

     

  • 15 Jan 2016

    "Visa Publication: New Year's Resolution: Resolve to Fight Malware"

    Visa shares best practices to help mitigate against malware attacks.

    PDF 330K

     

  • 07 Jan 2016

    Update to Small Merchant Data Security Requirements and Frequently Asked Questions

    Updates to the small merchant data security requirements for US and Canadian acquirers. These requirements involve the use of Qualified Integrators and Resellers (QIRs) and required PCI DSS validation. This document includes Frequently Asked Questions about the data security requirements.

    PDF 193K

     

  • 22 Dec 2015

    Visa Security Alert: Lodging Holiday Season

    Visa has identified multiple malware families targeted the lodging industry, including casinos and resorts. To name a few, “FindPOS” (or “Poseidon”), “FrameworkPOS”, and “rawpos” are confirmed in several Visa investigations, suggesting the industry continues to be attractive to attackers interested in payment card data. This publication provides information on each malware family along with security best practices to mitigate this threat.

    PDF 311K

     

  • 18 Dec 2015

    Visa Best Practices: Visa Checkout Merchant Holiday Best Practices

    Visa recommends best practices to help merchants mitigate fraud attacks during the holiday season.

    PDF 340Kz

     

  • 17 Dec 2015

    “BlackPOS” Malware Revisited

    Visa highlights “BlackPOS” malware, a malicious payment card-stealing software targeting point-of-sale systems. “BlackPOS” collect payment card data in ways that are difficult to identify and detect. Visa experts explains how it works, its methods of communication and maintaining stealth, and provides indicators of compromise for detection and eradication.

    PDF 629K

     

  • 03 Dec 2015

    “Kuhook” Point of Sale Malware

    Visa has identified a variation of malware (from the ModPOS malware family) targeting Point-of-Sale (POS) systems designed to run on Microsoft Windows. Codenamed “Kuhook”, the malware utilises keylogger and memory scraping/parsing functionality. The malware is a sophisticated set of kernel mode device drivers written for the Windows XP platform and is compressed to make the source code and data unreadable.

    PDF 160K

     

  • 24 Nov 2015

    Authorisation Reversals – The importance of providing the correct information

    This flyer explains the importance of reversing authorisations properly and provides the required fields used in the reversal process.

    PDF 324K

     

  • 17 Nov 2015

    Strategies to Effectively Mitigate Fraud

    Visa and CyberSource experts explore CNP risk methodologies to optimise the consumer experience and reduce false declines while minimising fraud losses. Additionally, Visa tools such as CVV2, AVS, Verified by Visa – among others – were covered in great detail as well as CyberSource’s Decision Manager

    PDF 2.06M

     

  • 13 Nov 2015

    Update – Cybercriminals Targeting Point of Sale Integrators

    Updated data security alert highlighting attacks on point of sale integrators or resellers. This alert outlines attack vectors and mitigation strategies.

    PDF 429K

     

  • 13 Nov 2015

    Chargeback Management Guidelines for Visa Merchants

    Managing chargebacks, cardholder disputes, copy requests and chargeback reason codes

    PDF 5.1M

     

  • 29 Oct 2015

    New Small Merchant Data Security Requirements

    Requirements for US and Canadian acquirers to ensure that their small merchants take steps to secure their point-of-sale (POS) environment. Merchants must use Qualified Integrators and Resellers (QIRs) and Level 4 merchants must validate PCI DSS compliance.

    PDF 414K

     

  • 23 Oct 2015

    Counterfeit Fraud Mitigation Tools for Automated Fuel Dispenser Transactions

    This document describes 3 tools that can be used to help reduce counterfeit fraud on AFD transaction.

    PDF 1M

     

  • 21 Oct 2015

    Data Security Basics for Small Merchants

    Valuable information for small merchants, including franchisees, highlighting the importance of protecting their customer's cardholder data, explaining the Payment Card Industry (PCI) Data Security Standards (DSS), and providing tools, solutions and strategies to use to help mitigate the risk of fraud and data breaches.

    PDF 416K

     

  • 21 Oct 2015

    Data Breach Findings and Mitigation Actions for the Payment System

    Visa explores common security vulnerabilities identified in data breaches and provides mitigation strategies that help to strengthen those payment processing environments.

    PDF 926K

     
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