VAMP 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)
Financial Impact Examples
$1,000/month in fines
$5,000/month in fines
$10,000/month in fines
Don't Wait Until October 1st
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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