Visa’s VAMP program is one of the most important changes to payment compliance in years. It replaces legacy monitoring systems and adds tougher rules for both merchants and acquirers. But with so many dates, rules, and definitions in circulation, confusion is everywhere.
Let’s cut through the noise. Here’s what’s true and what’s not when it comes to VAMP.
1. Enforcement Starts October 1, 2025
Some merchants think fines begin January 1, 2026. Others assumed enforcement was already underway. Neither is true.
- VAMP launched globally on April 1, 2025.
- April through September was a grace period with no fines.
- Enforcement begins October 1, 2025. Merchants over thresholds in September will be fined the following month.
2. Acquirers Share Responsibility
Many believe VAMP only monitors individual merchants. In reality, Visa has placed new accountability on acquiring banks and providers as well. That means merchants cannot assume their risk is isolated, acquirers will take a closer look at their portfolios, and high-risk accounts may face greater scrutiny.
3. VAMP Brings New Risk Metrics
This is not just a rebrand of Visa’s old programs. VAMP introduces enumeration tracking (learn how to protect your business from enumeration attacks). Even merchants with good dispute ratios could be flagged if they experience too many failed transaction attempts.
4. Not All Disputes Count
One source of confusion is which disputes “count” toward ratios. Under VAMP, certain cases are excluded:
- Disputes resolved through Visa Rapid Dispute Resolution (RDR)
- Alerts resolved through Verifi CDRN
- Certain chargebacks supported by compelling evidence (CE3.0)
This reinforces Visa’s goal: merchants who adopt proactive resolution methods are rewarded with lower ratios.
5. Merchants Face a Single Threshold
Some industry chatter suggested merchants face two thresholds: “Above Standard” and “Excessive.” In reality, only acquirers have both. For merchants, the only trigger is the “Excessive” threshold. Crossing it means penalties.
6. Enumeration Can Trigger Fines
Enumeration may not seem as serious as chargebacks, but under VAMP it is treated independently. A business could have acceptable dispute ratios and still be flagged if enumeration attempts spike.
Digital merchants, subscription models, and card-not-present businesses are especially at risk. Merchants in these sectors need tighter fraud screening to stay compliant.
Why Confusion Took Hold
The widespread uncertainty around VAMP isn’t surprising. The rollout was fast, leaving little time for merchants to understand the changes. Overlapping dates (April’s launch, October’s fines, and January’s threshold tightening) created natural points of mix-up. Many merchants assumed it was simply a rebrand of existing programs, which meant they overlooked new requirements like enumeration. To make matters worse, some of Visa’s early communications were incomplete or contradicted later guidance, adding another layer of uncertainty.
These factors combined to create a fog of mixed interpretations. The result is a program that still feels unsettled for many merchants, even though Visa’s rules are now clearly documented.
What Merchants Should Do Now
- Calculate September ratios to anticipate fines. (this VAMP calculator makes it easy)
- Confirm whether disputes are being resolved through RDR, CDRN, or standard chargeback flows.
- Review fraud screening to catch enumeration attacks.
Next Steps for Merchants
VAMP is not just another compliance acronym. It is a major shift in how Visa monitors disputes and fraud. Merchants who act now by adopting proactive resolution tools can avoid penalties and maintain smoother processing relationships.
If you’d like help getting ready for VAMP, reach out to our Visa VAMP experts. Our team can help assess your risk, implement the right prevention tools, and guide your compliance strategy.
Why ChargebackHelp?
ChargebackHelp delivers proven chargeback prevention and dispute management solutions. From Verifi Order Insight and Ethoca Consumer Clarity to Visa RDR, CDRN, and representments, we integrate everything you need into a single platform. Our goal is simple: keep your chargeback ratios low, protect your revenue, and give you confidence as rules like VAMP raise the bar.
FAQs: Visa VAMP for Merchants
What is VAMP?
Visa’s Acquirer Monitoring Program is a compliance framework that tracks disputes, fraud, and enumeration. Merchants are monitored for “Excessive” thresholds, and crossing them can trigger penalties. ChargebackHelp provides solutions to keep merchants below these limits.
When do fines begin?
Fines start October 1, 2025, after the initial advisory period. January 2026 marks tighter thresholds but not the start of penalties.
Are all disputes counted under VAMP?
No. Disputes resolved through RDR, CDRN, or with compelling evidence may not count. Using these solutions through ChargebackHelp can lower your ratios.
What is enumeration?
Enumeration is fraudulent testing of card numbers to find valid accounts. It can trigger VAMP flags even if dispute ratios are low. Merchants should strengthen fraud screening.
How can ChargebackHelp assist with VAMP compliance?
We integrate Visa and Mastercard programs with real-time alerts and prevention tools. Our platform helps merchants prevent chargebacks, resolve disputes early, and recover revenue when necessary.