Visa’s VAMP program has quickly become one of the most talked-about changes in the payments ecosystem. With enforcement around the corner, merchants and acquirers are racing to understand what’s fact, what’s fiction, and what lies ahead. The program replaces Visa’s legacy dispute and fraud monitoring systems, introducing stricter thresholds, broader accountability, and new risk factors.
As with any large-scale industry shift, confusion has flourished. Conflicting blogs, partial announcements, and evolving guidance have created widespread misunderstandings. This article addresses the most common myths, clarifying what VAMP really means for merchant service providers.
Fact: The Start Date is October 2025
The most common misunderstanding is about when enforcement begins. Many believed fines would begin January 1, 2026, while others assumed enforcement was already underway.
- VAMP launched globally on April 1, 2025.
- Visa allowed a six-month “advisory period” from April through September.
- Enforcement begins October 1, 2025. Merchants who exceeded thresholds in September will be fined in October.
Early Visa communications referenced a 90-day advisory period, leading some to assume July enforcement. Others confused January’s threshold tightening with the fine schedule, creating overlapping interpretations.
Fact: Merchants Are Not the Sole Focus
A persistent belief is that VAMP only monitors individual merchants. In reality, accountability now sits heavily with acquirers. Acquirers are required to manage their entire merchant portfolios, meaning a single high-risk merchant can trigger exposure for the acquirer. This shift forces providers to be more proactive in education, monitoring, and sometimes even off-boarding.
Fact: VAMP Is More Than a Rebrand
VAMP is not a cosmetic update. It consolidates fraud and dispute monitoring into a single program while adding new criteria.
Most notably, enumeration attempts (fraudulent card testing activity) are now tracked as a standalone metric. Even merchants with strong ratios could be flagged if enumeration volumes are high. By combining disputes, fraud, and enumeration, Visa aims for a more holistic view of merchant and acquirer risk.
Fact: Not All Disputes Count Toward Ratios
Not all disputes are equal under VAMP. Several categories are excluded from ratio calculations, including:
- Disputes resolved through Visa Rapid Dispute Resolution (RDR)
- Alerts resolved through the Cardholder Dispute Resolution Network (CDRN)
- Certain chargebacks supported by compelling evidence, including reason code 10.4
This exclusion shows Visa’s intent to promote proactive resolution tools, reducing unnecessary chargeback exposure across the network.
Fact: Merchants Face a Single Threshold
Another source of confusion has been the idea that merchants are subject to both an “Above Standard” threshold and an “Excessive” threshold.
In practice, the “Above Standard” designation applies only to acquirers. Merchants are assessed solely against the “Excessive” threshold, which triggers penalties once crossed. Visa’s finalized rules and updated guidance confirm this single bar for merchants.
Fact: Enumeration Metrics Matter
Enumeration is one of the most significant additions to VAMP, yet also one of the least understood. Enumeration involves testing stolen or generated card numbers to identify valid accounts.
Under VAMP, enumeration is tracked independently. A merchant with low dispute ratios can still be flagged if enumeration attempts are excessive. This risk is especially high for digital goods, subscription offers, and other high-volume card-not-present models.
For acquirers, this means tightening fraud monitoring at the gateway level, not just after disputes materialize.
Why Misunderstandings Persist
- Rapid rollout with only six months before fines.
- Overlapping dates for advisory periods, enforcement, and new thresholds.
- Legacy overlap with VDMP and VFMP.
- Incomplete early communications.
- Ongoing refinements in how RDR and CDRN interact with VAMP.
The result has been a swirl of conflicting interpretations. MSPs must now rely on official Visa documentation and trusted partners, not rumor.
What Acquirers and Merchants Should Do Now
- Review September ratios to anticipate October exposure. (VAMP Calculator)
- Confirm whether disputes are resolved through RDR, CDRN, or standard chargeback flows.
- Monitor for enumeration attempts, particularly in high-risk industries.
- Work closely with acquiring partners, since acquirer accountability is central under VAMP.
Where Do We Go From Here?
VAMP is one of the most significant compliance shifts Visa has implemented in years. It consolidates fraud and dispute oversight, introduces new metrics, and raises accountability for both acquirers and their merchants.
If you’re preparing your portfolio for VAMP enforcement and want support aligning ratios, automating dispute resolution, or managing enumeration exposure, reach out to our Visa VAMP experts. Our platform is built to help MSPs manage compliance at scale.
Why DisputeHelp?
DisputeHelp provides scalable, white-label solutions that integrate Visa, Mastercard, Verifi, and Ethoca programs into a single endpoint. With options like DEFLECT for real-time prevention, RESOLVE for automated refunds, and RECOVER for representments, MSPs can reduce systemic risk while extending merchant lifecycles. Our automation ensures providers avoid regulatory penalties, sustain low dispute ratios, and protect processing volume all while branding the platform as their own.
FAQs: Visa VAMP
What is VAMP and why does it matter for MSPs?
VAMP is Visa’s consolidated monitoring program, replacing VDMP and VFMP with new criteria like enumeration tracking. It matters because MSPs must manage compliance across their entire portfolio, not just at the merchant level. DisputeHelp’s solutions give you automation and visibility to stay compliant.
When do fines actually begin under VAMP?
Fines start October 1, 2025, following a six-month advisory period. Misinterpretations linked January 2026 to enforcement, but that date only marks tighter thresholds. DisputeHelp helps acquirers prepare for both timelines.
Are all disputes counted under VAMP ratios?
No. Disputes resolved via RDR or CDRN and certain fraud chargebacks with compelling evidence do not count. Our RESOLVE solution integrates these tools so your merchants avoid unnecessary ratio impact.
Do merchants face both “Above Standard” and “Excessive” thresholds?
No. Only acquirers have “Above Standard” tiers. Merchants are measured solely against the “Excessive” threshold. DisputeHelp ensures you have clarity on these rules and helps you mitigate portfolio exposure.
What is enumeration and why is it important?
Enumeration is when fraudsters test stolen or generated card numbers to find valid accounts. VAMP treats it as a standalone compliance metric. Our DEFLECT and RESOLVE services help acquirers identify and curb enumeration risk before it spirals.
How can DisputeHelp support MSPs with VAMP compliance?
Our platform integrates all major dispute prevention and resolution services into a single endpoint. From proactive alerts to automated representments, we make it simple to reduce systemic portfolio risk and keep ratios below Visa thresholds.
