softball
01-21-2009, 04:23 PM
Mastercard Compliance Regarding Cross sells
Dear Merchant,
MasterCard has recently advised Humboldt Merchant Services that performing
a cross sale transaction may violate certain sections of their operating
rules and regulations. The two rules that were specifically referenced are
as follows: Section 5.10.1: Sale or Exchange of Information. This section
states that “a merchant must not sell, purchase, provide, exchange
or in any manner disclose card account number, transaction, or personal
information of or about a cardholder to anyone other than its acquirer, to
the corporation, or in response to a valid government demand.” This
section relates to the exchange of cardholder data which occurs in the
processing of cross sales.
Section 5.4: Merchant Identification and Responsibility for Transactions.
This section states that merchants must “inform the cardholder of
the identity of the merchant at all points of interaction, so that the
cardholder readily can distinguish the merchant from any other party,
such as a supplier of products or services to the merchant.” If a
merchant does not disclose their doing business as name (DBA) on the
checkout page of their website, they may be in violation of this rule.
Please note that MasterCard’s regulations can be reviewed online
here. MasterCard has advised that in 2009 they will be reviewing merchant
websites to determine whether there are activities or cross sales that are
not in compliance with rules 5.10.1 and 5.4. In cases where MasterCard
determines non-compliance, the merchant may receive assessments of $25,000
per occurrence of non-compliance. As the merchant of record, it is your
responsibility to review the above rules and determine whether you are
compliant with them. We strongly recommend that you closely review your
websites and selling practices to ensure compliance with all rules and
regulations.
Dear Merchant,
MasterCard has recently advised Humboldt Merchant Services that performing
a cross sale transaction may violate certain sections of their operating
rules and regulations. The two rules that were specifically referenced are
as follows: Section 5.10.1: Sale or Exchange of Information. This section
states that “a merchant must not sell, purchase, provide, exchange
or in any manner disclose card account number, transaction, or personal
information of or about a cardholder to anyone other than its acquirer, to
the corporation, or in response to a valid government demand.” This
section relates to the exchange of cardholder data which occurs in the
processing of cross sales.
Section 5.4: Merchant Identification and Responsibility for Transactions.
This section states that merchants must “inform the cardholder of
the identity of the merchant at all points of interaction, so that the
cardholder readily can distinguish the merchant from any other party,
such as a supplier of products or services to the merchant.” If a
merchant does not disclose their doing business as name (DBA) on the
checkout page of their website, they may be in violation of this rule.
Please note that MasterCard’s regulations can be reviewed online
here. MasterCard has advised that in 2009 they will be reviewing merchant
websites to determine whether there are activities or cross sales that are
not in compliance with rules 5.10.1 and 5.4. In cases where MasterCard
determines non-compliance, the merchant may receive assessments of $25,000
per occurrence of non-compliance. As the merchant of record, it is your
responsibility to review the above rules and determine whether you are
compliant with them. We strongly recommend that you closely review your
websites and selling practices to ensure compliance with all rules and
regulations.