MerchantGreatVAMP 2025 Complete Guide
Everything merchants need to know about the Visa Acquirer Monitoring Program: thresholds, penalties, compliance strategies, and emergency procedures.
What is VAMP (Visa Acquirer Monitoring Program)?
VAMP monitors acquirers and merchants for excessive disputes and fraud. The program calculates ratios using a common formula: (fraud reports + disputes) ÷ settled transactions.
When merchants cross network thresholds, acquirers face penalties ranging from warnings to hefty monthly fines. This cascades down to merchant accounts through reserves, terminations, or increased fees.
October 2025 Changes
Starting October 1, 2025, Visa begins charging acquirers $10 per dispute for merchants in VAMP monitoring status. This represents a significant escalation in penalty severity, making prevention more critical than ever.
How to Calculate Your VAMP Ratio
Step 1: Data Collection
- • Monthly settled transactions (TC05)
- • Disputes received (chargebacks)
- • Fraud alerts (TC40/SAFE reports)
- • Time period: trailing 12 months
Step 2: Calculation
(Disputes + Fraud Alerts)
÷ Settled Transactions
× 100 = X%
Use Our Calculator for Instant Results
Calculate Your Risk →VAMP Thresholds & Penalties (2025)
| Threshold | Status | Penalty (Oct 2025+) | Merchant Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| < 0.65% | Safe | None | Normal operations |
| 0.65-1.0% | Warning | Monitoring | Enhanced scrutiny |
| ≥ 1.0% | Breach | $10/dispute | Reserves, termination risk |
Financial Impact Examples
$1,000/month in fines
$5,000/month in fines
$10,000/month in fines
VAMP Enforcement Is Active
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Get My Action Plan (Free)Legal Notice: This guide provides educational information based on published VAMP program rules. MerchantGuard is not a PSP, acquirer, or law firm. Consult qualified professionals for specific compliance advice.
Last Updated: August 21, 2025 • Program Citations: Visa Rules for Visa Merchants, VAMP sections 67, 79-83