Visa & MasterCard "no ID" policy, definition of "unique transaction"

[Need More RWHP]

It's well established fact here that merchants can not REQUIRE an ID in order to use Visa and MasterCard. There are exceptions, called "unique transaction" that some merchants will claim their transactions to be, but most do not meet the criteria. Since I spent the time doing copying and pasting to post on consumerist, I might as well post it here, for those who insist on official words.

 

enjoy

 

MASTERCARD

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"9.11.2 Cardholder Identification

A merchant must not refuse to complete a MasterCard card transaction solely

because a cardholder who has complied with the conditions for presentment

of a card at the POI refuses to provide additional identification information,

except as specifically permitted or required by the Standards."(MasterCard Rules p.48)

 

Yes, I'm aware there is a "unique transaction" exception, but most merchants do not need to worry about this as this does not apply to them.

 

"For unique transactions processed in a face-to-face environment (with the

exception of truck stop transactions and card-read transactions where a

non-signature CVM is used), request personal identification of the

cardholder in the form of an unexpired, official government document.

Compare the signature on the personal identification with the signature on

the card." (p.72)

 

What constitutes unique transaction?

Money Transfer, Quasi Cash, Gambling Transactions, Truck Stop Transactions and Remote Stored Value Load (MasterCard Chargeback Guide p.119-120)

 

 

VISA

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"When should you ask a cardholder for an official government ID? Although Visa

rules do not preclude merchants from asking for cardholder ID, merchants

cannot make an ID a condition of acceptance. Therefore, merchants cannot

refuse to complete a purchase transaction because a cardholder refuses to

provide ID. Visa believes merchants should not ask for ID as part of their

regular card acceptance procedures. Laws in several states also make it illegal

for merchants to write a cardholder’s personal information, such as an address or

phone number, on a sales receipt."(Rules for Visa Merchants, p.29)

 

Works Cited

 

Chargeback Guide. MasterCard International, 2006. 118-119. 21 Feb. 2008 <http://www.mastercard.com/us/wce/PDF/TB-Entire_Manual.pdf>.

 

Merchant Rules Manual. MasterCard International, 2005. 48+. 21 Feb. 2008 <http://www.mastercard.com/us/wce/PDF/MERC-Entire_Manual.pdf>.

 

Rules for Visa Merchants. Visa USA, Inc, 2007. 29. 21 Feb. 2008 <http://usa.visa.com/download/merchants/rules_for_visa_merchants.pdf>.