
Visa’s Enhanced Enforcement Measures: Is Your Platform Protected?

Visa’s compliance playbook has changed. If your platform touches payments in any way, these updates apply to you. And ignoring them doesn’t just mean headaches for your merchants, it means risk for fines, to your reputation, your revenue, and your roadmap.
Consolidation of Monitoring Programs
Effective April 1, 2025, Visa has consolidated its Visa Dispute Monitoring Program (VDMP), Visa Fraud Monitoring Program (VFMP), and Visa Acquirer Monitoring Program (VAMP) into a unified framework. This new structure introduces updated thresholds and metrics, such as the “VAMP rate” and “enumeration rate,” focusing on a comprehensive view of disputes and fraud. While the initial rollout is in Europe, global enforcement, including in the U.S., is anticipated to follow. These programs make it easier to penalize fraud, disputes, and abuse.
Stricter Surcharge Regulations
Visa is actively enforcing its surcharge regulations by employing mystery shoppers, issuing warning notices, and imposing fines to ensure merchants adhere to the permissible surcharge limits.
Implementation of PCI DSS 4.0
As of April 1, 2025, all entities involved in processing credit or debit card payments must comply with the enhanced security requirements outlined in the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard 4.0 (PCI DSS 4.0). This includes stricter controls on payment page scripts, automated solutions for detecting web-based attacks, and comprehensive risk analyses.
Implications for Software Providers
If your software offers embedded payments, merchant-facing checkout flows, or even just invoice generation, you’re part of the equation.
And when compliance issues arise, Visa doesn’t blame the merchant alone. The platform gets pulled into the scrutiny, especially if:
- Fraud thresholds are crossed
- Disputes escalate
- Surcharge practices are noncompliant
- Payment scripts are improperly managed
The real risk? These violations often show up before you even know they’re happening, unless you have a partner actively monitoring and guiding your portfolio.
Actionable Steps
Software providers need to do more than react. They need to prepare:
- Review and Update Compliance Protocols: Ensure your software aligns with the new VAMP metrics and PCI DSS 4.0 requirements.
- Educate Your Clients: Inform your merchants about the updated surcharge caps and the importance of compliance to avoid penalties.
- Implement Robust Monitoring Tools: Incorporate tools that can detect and prevent fraud and disputes effectively.
- Stay Informed: Regularly consult Visa’s official communications and industry news to stay updated on any further changes.
Why This Matters (and Where BOLD Comes In)
Visa’s rules aren’t slowing down. And you don’t have time to keep second-guessing your payment setup.
Whether you’re just looking for informed guidance or full hands-on support, BOLD helps software providers navigate the complexity of payments with clarity and confidence.
We’re not here to upsell, we’re here to help you scale safely.
Sources:
Ravelin. (2025). Visa’s VAMP Changes: What You Need to Know in 2025. Retrieved from https://www.ravelin.com/blog/visa-vamp-changes-chargeback-disputes
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