DCC Information from VISA and Master Card

October 2015 - Visa Rule Changes

PSPCS would like to inform you of recent changes announced by Visa Inc. (“Visa”) which may impact your business processes.

Visa Easy Payment Service (VEPS)

If you are a participant in the Visa Easy Payment Service (VEPS) program, please be advised that Visa has announced the retirement of this program effective October 16, 2015. At the close of this program, all transactions will require a PIN or signature regardless of the transaction amount. As part of the natural evolution of the Visa No Signature program, Visa payWave contactless transactions do not require a signature or PIN.

Dispute Rules Revisions

Effective for Representments processed on or after October 17, 2015, Visa will be revising several disputes rules to promote a more efficient process. For more information, please see the Dispute Rules Revisions document.

Visa Travel and Entertainment Rules Update

Effective October 16, 2015, Visa will modify rules for travel and entertainment transactions and merchants with similar practices. For more information, please see the Visa Travel and Entertainment Rules Update

October 2014 - Visa Rule Changes

PSPCS would like to inform you of a recent rule change announced by Visa Inc. (“Visa”) which may impact your business processes.

Visa Floor Limit

Visa has announced that effective October 17, 2014, Visa floor limits will be decreased to zero. As a result of this change, you will be required to obtain an authorization each time a transaction is processed, as part of proper card acceptance procedures regardless of the type or the amount of the transaction. Failure to adhere to proper card acceptance procedures could result in chargebacks.

As a result of this change, please ensure that you review your business processes and make any necessary updates as they relate to your Visa.

March 2014 - Interac Flash

Interac Flash’s functionality continues to grow in the marketplace, and, as a result, Interac has made changes to the transaction limit. Prior to this change, Issuers were required to set the Interac Flash per Transaction Limit to a minimum amount of $25, and up to a maximum amount of $100. Effective January 2, 2014, Issuers are now required to set the Interac Flash per Transaction Limit to $100 for all transactions.

Merchants need to be aware that the transaction limit for Interac Flash transactions is set by the Issuers- Merchants cannot set transaction limits at the merchant/terminal level.

October 2013 – Visa Rule Changes

PSPCS would like to inform you of some recent rule changes announced by Visa Inc. (“Visa”) which may impact your business processes.

Visa payWave

Visa has announced the payWave chargeback protection limit will increase from $50 CDN (including taxes) to $100 CDN (including taxes). These changes will take effect October 18, 2013.

If you accept payWave, please ensure that you review your business processes and make any necessary updates as they relate to your Visa. If you are not accepting payWave at this time, this change will not impact your business.

October 2013 - MasterCard Rule Changes

PSPCS would like to inform you of some recent rule changes announced by MasterCard Inc. (“MasterCard”) which may impact your business processes.

MasterCard Floor Limit

MasterCard has announced that effective October 18, 2013, MasterCard floor limits will be decreased to zero. As a result of this change, you will be required to obtain an authorization each time a transaction is processed, as part of proper card acceptance procedures regardless of the type or the amount of the transaction. Failure to adhere to proper card acceptance procedures could result in chargebacks.

MasterCard Quick Payment Service (QPS)

If you are a participant in the MasterCard QPS program, please be advised that MasterCard has announced that they are retiring this program effective October 18, 2013. At the close of this program, . all transactions will require a PIN or signature, regardless of the transaction amount. Acceptance of MasterCard PayPass contactless transactions is part of the natural evolution of the MasterCard QPS program.

MasterCard PayPass

MasterCard has announced that effective October 18, 2013, the PayPass chargeback protection limit will increase from $50 CDN (including taxes) to $100 CDN (including taxes).If you are not accepting PayPass at this time, this change will not impact your business.

As a result of the changes outlined above, please ensure that you review your business processes and make any necessary updates as they relate to your MasterCard.

April 2013 - Discover No Signature Required Program Threshold Increase to $50.00

To further promote the No Signature Required Program, effective April 20, 2013, Discover will revise the transaction amount limits for their No Signature Program from $25.00 to $50.00 for all merchant categories that are eligible to participate in the program

What is a Chip Card?

A chip card, is a credit or debit card that contains an embedded computer chip. A chip card will require the cardholder to enter a Personal Identification Number (PIN).

What is EMV?

EMV dictates how debit and credit payment applications work internationally. The primary purpose is to ensure worldwide agreement amongst card issuers (MasterCard, Visa and Amex).

What are the benefits of the chip card to consumers?

Security is the primary benefit of a chip card. Between the card and the point of sale terminal, a highly secured transaction takes place, one that significantly reduces fraud.

What does this mean for me as a merchant?

A PIN will now replace requiring a card holder’s signature after a transaction. In a chip enabled terminal or ABM, the chip card is inserted and left for the duration of the transaction, for both credit and debit transaction. This is a more secure form of payment for both the merchant and the consumer.

What about cards with a magnetic stripe?

Magnetic stripes will still be one each debit or credit card, along with the PIN requirements. In non-chip enabled terminal, for credit card transactions, the merchant will swipe the card and collect a signature from the consumer. 

Related Links

If you require more information on Chip Pin Cards read:

• Visa
• MasterCard Chip
• Interac Chip

What is a chargeback?

A chargeback is a reversal of a sales transaction. If a chargeback has occurred you must provide all necessary documentation to PSP Card Services within 12 business days to correctly process the chargeback.

What can I do to avoid chargebacks?

A chargeback can be avoided at the Point of Sale with any of the following situations,

• Declined authorization. If a transaction was declined, do not repeat the request, ask the consumer for a different form of payment
• Transaction amount. Transaction amounts must match the amount presented to the consumer, do not estimate an amount, especially when it comes to adding a tip on behalf of a consumer.
• Expired card. A card is not to be accepted after it’s set Expiry date, unless you have received authorization approval for the transaction.
• Card not Present. If the cardholder is present but the card is not, then do not accept the transaction. It could be fraudulent.
• Provide your consumer with a receipt. One that is legible so the transacted amount is made clear to the consumer.

What can I do to contest the chargeback?

Please call us within 10 days of the debit with any additional information you have to support the charges in dispute.

What are the fees associated with an Internet VISA/MasterCard Merchant Account?

There is a Merchant Discount Rate (MDR), which is based on your average monthly VISA, MasterCard dollar volumes and the dollar size of your average transaction.

Other fees such as set-up, per transaction and monthly fees are dependent on what type of Merchant Account you require and how the transactions will be transmitted.

To get specific fees for your particular application, please contact PSPCS directly.

I'm a web developer or ISP and would like to provide an eCommerce solution for my clients. How can PSPCS help me?  

For all your website eCommerce needs, please contact PSPCS directly at 1-844-780-9293. 

Are e-commerce transactions secure?

PSPCS is dedicated to a high level of security so that you can process your e-commerce transactions with ease. Our online payment system is secure and meets all required regulations and codes.

What is Verified by VISA? Can I include it on my web site?

Verified by Visa is a password process to confirm a cardholder’s identity during checkout. The idea is to replicate a “card present” environment to reduce potential fraud or chargeback issues.

Merchants may only display the Verified by Visa Service logo and MasterCard 3D Secure on their web sites if they are participating in the program.

Can I accept INTERAC Direct Payment (debit cards) on my web site?

No, the INTERAC Online payment option is not available through the PSPCS Gateway ecommerce solution.

If I receive an authorization number on the transaction from my web site, is this a guaranteed sale for my business?

If the card is not reported as lost or stolen and the funds are available, then the transaction will be approved. Authorization by the issuing bank does not mean the true card holder is making the purchase. Additional measures need to be taken to detect potential fraud.

Why do I need another VISA/MasterCard Merchant number for my Internet "virtual" store if I already have one for my "physical" store location?

Internet transactions require a Internet Merchant number, which is authorized by PSPCS for Card Not Present transactions.

I have other questions with regards to e-commerce for my web site. Who can I talk to?

You can get answers to specific questions by calling 1-844-780-9293.

What is a Chargeback?

A chargeback is a reversal of a sales transaction. If a chargeback has occurred you must provide all necessary documentation to PSP Card Services within 12 business days to correctly process the chargeback. PSP Card Services issues a $25 chargeback fee is applied each time a charge back is made.

Why does a Chargeback happen?

A chargeback may occur if a customer disputes a charge on their card statement, in cases of fraud, a process error, an issue in authorization or non-fulfillment of copy requests if fraud or illegible.

How to Avoid a Chargeback?

A chargeback can be avoided at the Point of Sale with any of the following situations,

• Declined authorization. If a transaction was declined, do not repeat the request, ask the consumer for a different form of payment
• Transaction amount. Transaction amounts must match the amount presented to the consumer, do not estimate an amount, especially when it comes to adding a tip on behalf of a consumer.
• Expired card. A card is not to be accepted after it’s set Expiry date, unless you have received authorization approval for the transaction.
• Card not Present. If the cardholder is present but the card is not, then do not accept the transaction. It could be fraudulent.
• Provide your consumer with a receipt. One that is legible so the transacted amount is made clear to the consumer.

Resolving a Chargeback

The key to resolving a chargeback is providing the required information in a timely manner to rectify the situation. Documentation will be collected during the time of the chargeback. Ensure that you keep all necessary documentation when it comes to transactions and that they are properly documented, i.e. a void transaction should have a clear VOID notice on the receipt so that it is not mistakenly entered. Ensure your return, refund or cancellation policies are made clear and aware to your consumers to avoid confusion or chargeback issues.

Another key to avoid chargebacks is to ensure that all staff that are handling the processing of payments are trained and understand how and when to process transactions.

If you have cause to be suspicious of potential fraud, call PSPCS immediately to report your concern at, 1-844-780-9293. We will ensure the proper measures are taken to resolve your issue or answer your concern.

Note, you may be financially liable for fraud, even if a transaction is authorized. It is important to educate yourself and your employees on fraud, as provided in your Merchant Welcome Kit.

If you have cause to be suspicious of potential fraud, call PSPCS immediately to report your concern at, 1-844-780-9293. We will ensure the proper measures are taken to resolve your issue or answer your concern.

Note, you may be financially liable for fraud, even if a transaction is authorized. It is important to educate yourself and your employees on fraud, as provided in your Merchant Welcome Kit.