Here's a roundup of MasterCard action that directly relates to your field. For more detail, go to MasterCard OnLine to view the related bulletins. Registered MSPs who want the full story details should contact their acquirer.

Update: Card Acceptor Data Integrity Monitoring Program

MasterCard is updating information about this program, including information about field edits that are being discontinued and an updated error code list.

For more information, refer to Global Operations Bulletin No. 8, 1 August 2008.

Clearing System edit enhancements for PDS 0052

MaterCard is making several edit changes to ensure the proper format and presence of private data subelement (PDS) 0052 (Electronic Commerce Security Level Indicator) where required.

For more information, refer to Global Operations Bulletin No. 8, 1 August 2008.

New GCMS release dates

MasterCard has confirmed the future Global Clearing Management System (GCMS) release dates, through 2015.

For more information, refer to Global Operations Bulletin No. 8, 1 August 2008.

Chip interoperability issues involving VeriFone terminals

Certain older VeriFone terminals are experiencing card and terminal interoperability problems due to noncompliance with EMV specifications. This article reiterates terminal requirements and shows you how you can upgrade affected terminals as needed.

For more information, refer to Global Operations Bulletin No. 9, 2 September 2008.

Revised annual fee for the Type I Third Party Processor Evaluation Program

MasterCard has revised the annual fee for the Type I Third Party Processor (TPP) Evaluation Program—formerly known as the Processor Evaluation Program (PEP). The fee applies to all processors that MasterCard designates as Type I TPPs, who process MasterCard® and Maestro® transactions for members.

For more information, refer to Global Operations Bulletin No. 9, 2 September 2008.

Potential high-volume clearing rejects with GCMS Release 08.2

MasterCard provides information on certain error codes modified with the Global Clearing Management System (GCMS) Release 08.2 implementation may present a higher-than-normal reject rate.

For more information, refer to Global Operations Bulletin No. 9, 2 September 2008.

Currency code updates

As of December 1, 2008, MasterCard has made several updates to currently supported transaction currencies, including the currency codes for Afghanistan, Bulgaria, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ecuador, and Mozambique. In addition, MasterCard will no longer support the currency codes for Guinea (GNF/324), North Korea (KPW/408), and Zimbabwe (ZWD/716) and has changed the alpha currency code of the Lesotho loti from LSM to LSL in order to align with the ISO. The numeric currency code of the Lesotho loti will remain 426.

For more information, refer to Global Operations Bulletin No. 9, 2 September 2008.

Revised standards for Maestro PayPass-only acceptance at bus and parking meters

MasterCard now allows Maestro® PayPass™-only acceptance at bus line fare terminal boxes and single-vehicle parking meters.

For more information, refer to Global Operations Bulletin No. 10, 1 October 2008.

Amendment to standards for authorization routing

MasterCard has revised the standards for proper routing of MasterCard transaction authorizations.

For more information, refer to Global Operations Bulletin No. 10, 1 October 2008.

Update to PayPass M/Chip acquirer requirements

There are two new MasterCard® PayPass™ publications now available: The PayPass M/Chip Acquirer Implementation Requirements and the PayPass M/Chip Reader Card Application Interface Specification manuals. The requirements they describe will become mandatory for all new PayPass M/Chip Reader products, based on the timetable described in this article. Existing deployed PayPass Reader products do not require updating to meet these requirements.

For more information, refer to Global Operations Bulletin No. 10, 1 October 2008.

New title for the Global Network Interface Validation Document Set

Effective January 23, 2009, MasterCard will change the title of the Global Network Interface Validation Document Set to the Customer Interface Testing Reference manual.

For more information, refer to Global Operations Bulletin No. 10, 1 October 2008.

MasterCard automated fuel dispenser (AFD) transaction funds hold release

Authorization holds at AFDs in excess of USD 1.00 must be removed within 24 hours or receipt of the clearing transaction, whichever comes first. The mandate applies to Signature Debit and Consumer Credit.

For more information, refer to U.S. Region Operations Bulletin No. 3, 17 October 2008.

Chargeback protection amount increased at AFDs in the U.S. region

The chargeback protection amount for properly authorized Consumer and Small Business transactions is raised from USD 75.00 to USD 100.00. The following chargeback reason codes are covered under this program: Reason Code (RC) 4808—Requested/Required Authorization Not Obtained and RC 4847—Requested/Required Authorization Not Obtained and Fraudulent Transaction.

For more information, refer to Global Debit Operations Bulletin No. 10, 20 October 2008.