VAMP Frequently Asked Questions

What is VAMP?

Visa’s Acquirer Monitoring Program (VAMP) is a new fraud and dispute monitoring framework launching on April 1, 2025. It replaces Visa’s existing fraud and dispute programs, setting new compliance thresholds for both acquirers and merchants to manage fraud and chargeback rates more effectively.

How is the VAMP ratio calculated?

Visa calculates the VAMP ratio as follows:

A merchant must exceed a minimum of 1,000 fraud cases and non-fraud disputes per month for the ratio to apply.

What are the VAMP thresholds?

The program will be implemented in two phases:

From April 1, 2025: Merchants must keep their VAMP ratio below 1.5%, and acquirers must stay below 0.5%.
From January 1, 2026: The thresholds tighten to 0.9% for merchants and 0.3% for acquirers.

What happens if I exceed the VAMP ratio?

If a merchant exceeds the 1.5% (or 0.9% after 2026) threshold, Visa may:

Impose fines on the acquirer, which could be passed on to the merchant.
Increase monitoring, potentially requiring merchants to implement fraud prevention measures.
Restrict or terminate a merchant’s ability to process Visa transactions if compliance is not met.

What are the VAMP-related fees?

Visa applies fines if acquirers or merchants exceed the thresholds:

If an acquirer’s VAMP ratio exceeds 0.30%, Visa charges $5 per dispute for all merchants with a ratio above 0.30%.
If an acquirer’s ratio exceeds 0.50%, the fine increases to $10 per dispute for those merchants.
If a merchant’s VAMP ratio exceeds 1.5%, Visa applies a $10 fine per dispute for that merchant.

These fines are charged to the acquirer, who may pass them on to the affected merchants.

Will I be fined directly by Visa?

No, Visa charges fines to acquirers, but acquirers often pass these costs to merchants who exceed the thresholds.

What can I do to manage my VAMP ratio?

To keep your VAMP ratio low, you can:

Use Verifi RDR (Rapid Dispute Resolution) to automatically resolve disputes before they escalate into chargebacks.
Review dispute reports to and proactively address common chargeback reasons.
Enhance customer service, clear refund policies and better communication can reduce disputes.

What types of disputes count toward the VAMP ratio?

Non-fraud disputes with reasons codes 11, 12 and 13 are included in the VAMP ratio calculation. However, disputes resolved via Verifi RDR are excluded, making RDR a valuable tool for keeping ratios low.

Where can I track fraud alerts and disputes on the Acquired Platform?

Navigate to FRAUDS from the menu in the Acquired Hub to view both Visa and Mastercard fraud alerts and dispute details. You can also export the information to conduct analysis.

Does VAMP apply to all Visa transactions?

Yes, VAMP applies to all Visa-processed transactions, including domestic and international sales across all merchant categories.

Are there any changes to Mastercard’s fraud and dispute programs?

Currently, Mastercard has not announced any major changes that mirror Visa’s VAMP program. Mastercard continues to monitor fraud and dispute rates through its Excessive Chargeback Program (ECP) and Excessive Fraud Merchant (EFM) program. Merchants should continue to monitor their dispute and fraud rates across all card networks and follow best practices for fraud prevention.

How will I know if I am approaching the threshold?

We will be working with your acquirer to provide insights on fraud and dispute trends. If your ratio is approaching the limit, we will let you know.

Is there a grace period before VAMP fines are enforced?

Yes, Visa has introduced a three-month grace period starting April 1, 2025, during which fines will not be applied. This allows merchants and acquirers time to adjust before any financial penalties begin.

How can I get more information or support?

If you have questions about VAMP or want to discuss enabling Verifi Rapid Dispute Resolution, please contact your Acquired.com Account Manager or raise a ticket through our Support Desk.