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Merchant FAQs

Find answers to your questions about Verified by Visa (VbV).

What are the benefits of implementing VbV?

For you:

  • Reduced number of chargebacks for online sales
  • Visa cardholders have increased confidence while shopping online
  • Minimal impact on your existing check-out process
  • User-friendly experience for you and your customers
  • Merchant Plug-In software is easily installed and can be readily integrated into existing eCommerce systems

For your customers:

  • Greater protection against unauthorized use of Visa cards online
  • Increased confidence and trust when shopping online at a VbV-enabled merchant
  • User-friendly – no special software or browsers are required
  • Ability to quickly identify merchants who offer VbV security, when the VbV Merchant Mark is featured on a website
How do I participate in VbV?

To offer your online customers the VbV service, you'll need to integrate a Merchant Plug-In (MPI) module into your shopping cart/payment site.

How do I obtain the Merchant Plug-In (MPI) module?

Obtaining the MPI module will depend on the method you use for processing online Visa card transactions. We encourage you to talk with your Acquirer/Payment Processor for more details on your VbV implementation options.

How much does VbV cost?

The costs associated with implementing VbV will depend on the method you use to process online Visa card transactions. Contact your Acquirer/Payment Processor for more information.

Do cardholders have to pay to obtain and use a VbV password?

No. There is no cost for cardholders to obtain and use a VbV password for their Visa cards.

How does a VbV transaction work?

Visa cardholders who have registered a password with VbV are prompted to enter it when shopping online at a VbV-enabled merchant. The password is then verified by their Visa card issuer.

What happens at check-out if the cardholder does not participate in VbV?

At check-out, the cardholder may be presented with the option to register a VbV password with their Visa card issuer. Alternately the merchant may decide to allow the transaction to proceed without the VbV cardholder authentication service.

What happens if a customer does not reside in Canada?

Because VbV is a global service, you will continue to benefit from the advanced security, regardless of where your customers live.

By implementing VbV, will I never have a chargeback again?

VbV is designed to help protect merchants from "fraudulent purchaser" disputes and chargebacks. However, merchants can still receive chargebacks for other reasons. (e.g., Incorrect transaction amount or product not received.)

How will Visa cardholders know my website is VbV-enabled?

As a VbV-enabled merchant, you should display the VbV Merchant Mark on your home page as well as on your payment page, in accordance with the terms and conditions of the VbV Trademark License Agreement.

Where can I access the VbV Merchant Mark to display on my website?

Click here to access and download the VbV Merchant Mark. Be sure to read the VbV Trademark License Agreement.

What if I don't implement VbV?

Without VbV, you will not be protected against "fraudulent purchaser" disputes and chargebacks.

Does VbV work for telephone and mail-order sales?

VbV only works for Visa online payment authentication.

I use other fraud detection services. Should I discontinue these services when I implement VbV?

A multi-layered approach to online security reduces the risk of a fraudulent transaction. VbV helps to provide you with protection from "fraudulent purchaser" disputes and chargebacks. While this type of dispute generates the majority of chargebacks for online merchants, other fraud detection tools are still valuable and should be maintained. To further reduce risk, we recommend you continue to use the other tools you've already implemented.