Support Services

Cardbrands Revised Signature Requirements


Dear Valued Merchant:


The card brands have recently updated their requirements related to signature capture. While each card brand has different requirements, the general consensus is that a signature is not required if the transaction occurred on an EMV-enabled device with an EMV-enabled chip card. EMV enablement is defined as the implementation of an acceptance device capable of reading, communicating and processing full data transactions from a compliant chip card. The card brands have outlined some requirements related to their specific card types below:

VISA

  • EMV-enabled merchants have the option to capture a signature as a cardholder verification method (CVM) at their discretion.
  • For EMV-enabled merchants that prefer to continue to capture a signature or to use a signature for ensuring the cardholder’s acceptance of additional terms and conditions of a sale, no change is required. However, these merchants will no longer need to store signatures if they do not wish to do so.
  • For eligible merchants that elect to stop capturing a signature for Visa transactions, they may do so for any transaction amount.
  • EMV-enabled merchants are no longer required to keep receipts as a form of cardholder verification for Visa transactions (effective in the LAC region on October 13, 2018).
  • For non-EMV-enabled merchants in the U.S., acquirers must continue fulfilling retrieval requests for transactions on or after April 14, 2018.

Mastercard

  • Mastercard has revised its Standards to allow merchants in the United States the discretion to choose whether to collect a cardholder’s signature on a transaction receipt or electronic signature capture device when accepting a Mastercard card in a face-to-face transaction environment.
  • Mastercard’s zero liability protection continues to ensure that cardholders are never held responsible for fraud.
  • Merchants may suppress signature prompting on the electronic signature capture devices or receipts.
  • Merchant terminals must continue to support selection of signature as a CVM on POS terminals (even if signature is not being obtained)
  • Merchant refund policies printed on paper or email must clearly state that the receipt offered to the cardholder in a face-to face environment will govern in the event of a dispute.
  • Merchant refund policies that are provided to acknowledged by the cardholder prior to them completing the e-commerce transaction will generally be upheld should the cardholder dispute the transaction.
  • Merchant must provide a reason for a charge for loss/theft/damage and a repair estimate before gaining cardholder authorization and performing a card-read transaction
  • Request for copies of receipts must still be fulfilled, whether or not a cardholder signature was captured.
  • There are no changes to cards, EMV parameters or liability.

American Express

  • American Express has eliminated the requirement for merchants to obtain a signature on a transaction receipt or electronic signature capture device when accepting American Express in a face-to-face environment.
  • Requests for copies of receipts must still be fulfilled, whether or not a cardholder signature was captured. 
  • Merchants may continue to request a signature if they so choose.

 

Discover

Discover and PULSE have eliminated the requirement for merchants to collect a cardholder signature on a transaction receipt or electronic signature capture device when accepting Discover or PULSE in a face-to-face transaction environment.

  • Requests for copies of receipts must still be fulfilled, whether or not a cardholder signature was captured.
  • Merchants may continue to request a signature if they so choose.

If you have any questions related to this update please contact your Account Manager or our Support Team at customerservice@forte.net or via phone at 866-290-5400, Option 1.


Sincerely,

Forte Payment Systems


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