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Network Programs Reference

TL;DR
  • Visa VAMP: ~1.5% merchant excessive threshold; combines fraud + disputes
  • Mastercard ECM: 100+ chargebacks AND 1.5%+ ratio; fines escalate from $1K→$100K+/month
  • MATCH list: 5-year blacklist; effectively ends your ability to accept cards
  • Safe zone: under 0.9% Visa ratio, under 100 chargebacks AND under 1.5% Mastercard
  • Exit requires: 3 consecutive months below thresholds + remediation plan

This is a quick reference for network dispute and fraud monitoring programs. When you're at 0.9% and need to know exactly where the lines are, this is your cheat sheet.

For deeper coverage, see Dispute Monitoring Programs.

Visa VAMP (Acquirer Monitoring Program)​

Effective April 2025. Combines former VDMP and VFMP into unified monitoring.

Current Thresholds (2025-2026)​

Last verified: Dec 2025. Always confirm with your acquirer; network bulletins change.

ThresholdRatioVolume Minimum
Merchant Excessive~1.5% (tightening from 2.2%)~1,500 disputes
Acquirer Excessive~0.5% (portfolio level)Varies
Acquirer Above Standard~0.3% (phasing in)Varies
Thresholds Change

These numbers are approximate and change. Always verify with Visa Core Rules or your processor.

What Counts in VAMP​

ComponentCounts?Notes
TC40 (fraud reports)YesCounts even if no chargeback
TC15 (chargebacks)YesStandard disputes
Fraud + chargeback same transactionEffectively 2xDouble impact
RDR-resolved disputesTC15 excludedTC40 may still count
CE 3.0 qualifiedBoth excludedBest protection

Fee Structure​

LevelPer-Dispute Fee
Merchant ExcessivePassed through by acquirer
Acquirer Above Standard~$1-3 per dispute
Acquirer Excessive~$5-10 per dispute

Timeline and Remediation​

EventDeadline
Identification noticeMonth after breach
Remediation plan required15 days from notice
Grace period3 months (first-time in rolling 12 months)
Exit criteriaBelow threshold 3 consecutive months

Mastercard ECM (Excessive Chargeback Merchant)​

Two-tier system based on both count AND ratio.

ECM Thresholds​

Both conditions must be met:

LevelChargeback CountChargeback Ratio
ECM100-2991.5% - 2.99%
HECM300+3.0%+

Ratio Calculation​

Mastercard Ratio = (First Presentment Chargebacks in Month N) / (Transactions in Month N-1) × 10,000

Note: Uses prior month's transactions as denominator.

ECM Fine Escalation​

Month in ProgramMonthly Assessment
1-2Warning/minimal
3-4$1,000-$5,000
5-6$5,000-$15,000
7-11$15,000-$50,000
12+$50,000-$100,000+

Plus Issuer Recovery Assessment: Additional fee per chargeback over 300.

HECM Fine Escalation​

Month in ProgramMonthly Assessment
1-2$1,000-$5,000
3-4$10,000-$25,000
5-6$25,000-$75,000
7-11$75,000-$150,000
12+$150,000-$200,000+

Exit Criteria​

  • Below ECM thresholds (< 100 chargebacks AND < 1.5% ratio) for 3 consecutive months
  • Extension option: Suspends fines for 6 months during remediation
    • If below thresholds at end: accrued fines forgiven
    • If still above: all accrued fines become due

Mastercard EFM (Excessive Fraud Merchant)​

Separate program for fraud specifically.

EFM Enrollment Criteria​

All must be met:

CriterionThreshold
Monthly transactions1,000+
Fraud claims amount$50,000+
Fraud-to-sales ratio0.50%+
3DS usage< 50% in regulated markets, < 10% in non-regulated

EFM Fine Escalation​

MonthAssessment
1Warning
2-3$500-$1,000
4-6$1,000-$10,000
7+$10,000-$50,000+

Exit Criteria​

Below all thresholds for 3 consecutive months.

MATCH List (Terminated Merchant File)​

The industry blacklist. 5-year listing that effectively ends your ability to accept cards.

MATCH Reason Codes​

CodeReasonTrigger
01Account Data CompromiseCardholder data breach
02Common Point of PurchaseSystem was fraud source
03LaunderingTransaction laundering
04Excessive ChargebacksExceeded chargeback thresholds
05Excessive FraudExceeded fraud thresholds
07Fraud ConvictionPrincipal convicted
08QMAPMerchant audit violation
09Bankruptcy/LiquidationInsolvency
10Violation of StandardsNetwork rules violation
11Merchant CollusionCollusion with cardholder
12PCI Non-CompliancePCI DSS failure
13Illegal TransactionsIllegal activity
14Identity TheftMerchant was identity theft victim

MATCH Consequences​

ImpactDuration
Listing duration5 years
New merchant accountsNearly impossible
High-risk processorsMay accept at 5-10%+ rates, 20%+ reserves
RemovalOnly by listing acquirer request

Avoiding MATCH​

  1. Respond to processor warnings immediately
  2. Submit and execute remediation plans
  3. Show month-over-month improvement
  4. If termination is inevitable, negotiate "voluntary exit" (no MATCH)

Prevention Tool Impact​

How alerts and prevention tools affect program ratios:

ToolVAMP ImpactECM ImpactBest For
RDRExcludes TC15, TC40 may countN/A (Visa only)Ratio protection
CDRNExcludes TC15 if refundedN/AManual control
EthocaPrevents chargebackPrevents chargebackMastercard focus
CE 3.0Can exclude both TC40 and TC15N/ABest VAMP protection
Order InsightPrevents dispute from filingN/AUpstream prevention
Consumer ClarityPrevents dispute from filingPrevents disputeUpstream prevention

Quick Reference: Safe Zones​

Stay Safe​

MetricSafe Threshold
Visa VAMP ratio< 0.9%
Mastercard chargebacks< 100/mo AND < 1.5%
Mastercard fraud ratio< 0.50%

Danger Zone (Act Now)​

MetricDanger Threshold
Visa VAMP ratio0.9% - 1.5%
Mastercard chargebacksApproaching 100 OR approaching 1.5%
Mastercard fraud ratioApproaching 0.50%

Breach (Crisis Mode)​

MetricBreach Threshold
Visa VAMP ratio> 1.5%
Mastercard ECM100+ chargebacks AND 1.5%+
Mastercard HECM300+ chargebacks AND 3%+

Timeline: How Fast Things Escalate​

Visa VAMP Timeline​

Month 1: Breach threshold
Month 2: Identification notice
Month 2: Remediation plan due (15 days)
Months 2-4: Grace period (first offense)
Month 5+: Fines begin
Month 8+: Termination risk escalates

Mastercard ECM Timeline​

Month 1: First month above threshold
Month 2: Identified as ECM
Months 2-3: Warning period
Month 4+: Fines escalate monthly
Month 12+: Maximum fines, termination likely

Analyst Layer: Distance-to-Threshold Tracking​

Track how close you are to program thresholds daily and weekly.

Distance Metrics​

MetricYour ValueThresholdDistanceStatus
Visa VAMP ratio0.72%0.90%0.18%⚠️ Watch
Mastercard CB ratio1.1%1.50%0.40%✓ Safe
Mastercard CB count6510035⚠️ Watch
Mastercard fraud ratio0.25%0.50%0.25%✓ Safe

Distance Alert Thresholds​

Distance to ThresholdAction
> 50% bufferMonitor monthly
25-50% bufferMonitor weekly
10-25% bufferMonitor daily, prepare plan
< 10% bufferEmergency mode, implement plan

Calculating Distance​

Distance % = (Threshold - Current) / Threshold × 100

Example:

  • Current ratio: 0.72%
  • Threshold: 0.90%
  • Distance: (0.90 - 0.72) / 0.90 = 20%

At 20% distance, you're in the "monitor weekly, prepare plan" zone.

Trend Projection​

Track your trajectory:

WeekRatioWeek-over-Week ChangeProjected at Trend
10.60%--
20.65%+0.05%-
30.72%+0.07%Breach in ~3 weeks
40.71%-0.01%Stable

If your trend shows breach within 4 weeks, act now.

Dashboard Requirements​

Build a real-time dashboard showing:

  1. Current ratios vs thresholds (visual gauge)
  2. Distance to each threshold (percentage)
  3. Trend line (past 8 weeks)
  4. Projection (at current trend)
  5. Alert status (green/yellow/red)

Alert rules:

  • Yellow: < 25% distance OR upward trend
  • Red: < 10% distance OR projected breach < 4 weeks