MasterCard and Discover are modifying their
rules
concerning the processing of debit, prepaid and gift cards. This
e-mail includes important information about the new requirements and
the timelines regarding Authorize.Net's support of the requirements, so
please read it thoroughly.
MasterCard's rule changes go into effect May 1,
2010, and Discover's rule changes go into effect April 16, 2010.
However, Authorize.Net, MasterCard and Discover have worked together to
extend these dates for all merchants using Authorize.Net solutions. Our
merchants
will now have until June 30, 2011, to implement support for
the requirements within their systems.
What are the requirements?
MasterCard and Discover are requiring that all merchants support the
following:
+ |
Balance response
transactions — For prepaid and gift cards, once the card has
been used, the remaining account balance will be transmitted along with
the authorization response. The remaining balance must be printed on
the customer receipt, displayed on the Web page or point-of-sale
terminal, or both. |
+ |
Partial authorization
transactions — When a customer's transaction amount exceeds the
balance available on their debit, prepaid or gift card, instead of
declining the transaction, a partial authorization for the amount
available to the customer will be returned. This will allow the
customer to pay for the remaining amount with another form of payment.
This is called a split-tender transaction. |
+ |
Authorization
reversals — An authorization reversal is a
real-time transaction initiated when the customer decides that they do
not want to proceed with the transaction, or if the merchant cannot
complete the transaction for any reason. Authorization reversals free
up the customer's available balance on their debit, prepaid or gift
card. |
What steps is Authorize.Net taking to support
these requirements?
Authorize.Net will be updating our systems over the coming months to
support the requirements, but will be dependent on each processor's
readiness. For a table of when we anticipate we will support the
requirements with each processor, please visit http://www.authorize.net/support/pafaqs/#when.
What do I need to do to support the
requirements?
The steps that you will need to take to support the requirements depend
on how you connect to the payment gateway. For example, if you connect
using a shopping cart, point-of-sale device, or other solution, you
will need to contact your solution provider to confirm that they will
be supporting the requirements. If you connect using a direct
integration, you should contact your Web developer for assistance.
Please direct your Web developer to http://www.authorize.net/support/pafaqs/#do
for information on the changes they will need to make.
Do I have to support the requirements?
MasterCard and Discover are requiring all merchants to support the
requirements with the exception of merchants that exclusively process
transactions via batch uploads, mail order/telephone order (MOTO), or
recurring payment transactions. Your Merchant Service Provider (MSP) is
ultimately responsible for determining if the requirements apply to
your business, so please contact them for assistance in determining if
your company is exempt.
Once again, these requirements will not be
enforced for Authorize.Net merchants until June 30, 2011. However, we
wanted to bring them to your attention now so that you have plenty of
time to plan for their implementation.
For more information on the requirements,
including how they affect our value-adding services, please visit our
FAQ page at http://www.authorize.net/support/pafaqs/.
Thank you for your attention to these important
changes and for being an Authorize.Net merchant.
Last Updated
9th of April, 2010