> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.suby.fi/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Visa & Mastercard Dispute Programs

> Background on how Visa's Acquirer Monitoring Program (VAMP) and Mastercard's Excessive Chargeback Program work, and why Suby sets a stricter internal bar.

<Warning>
  These are **not your actual limits.** Your limit is the table on [Suby's Dispute Thresholds](/education/dispute-thresholds): 0.7% alert, 0.9% reserve, 1.0% termination. This page is background on the network rules that shape why Suby sets the bar where it does.
</Warning>

Both networks compare your monthly dispute count against your monthly transaction count and enforce tiers on the result. Programs and exact numbers are set by Visa and Mastercard, not by Suby or your acquirer, and they get revised periodically.

## Visa Acquirer Monitoring Program (VAMP)

VAMP replaced the older VDMP/VFMP programs and merges fraud reports (TC40) and disputes (TC15) into a single ratio against settled transactions.

| Tier      | Ratio    | Consequence                                                                              |
| --------- | -------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Excessive | **1.5%** | \~\$8 network fee per disputed/fraud transaction, no warning tier, mandatory remediation |

1.5% has applied since April 1, 2026 (down from 2.2% at launch). Visa also monitors acquirers directly, which is part of why acquirers, including Suby's own banking partners, commonly enforce internal caps well below Visa's published threshold.

## Mastercard Excessive Chargeback Program

Mastercard flags a merchant once **both** a count and a ratio condition are met in a given month (this month's chargebacks divided by last month's transactions).

| Tier                                      | Chargebacks | Ratio      | Consequence                                                 |
| ----------------------------------------- | ----------- | ---------- | ----------------------------------------------------------- |
| Excessive Chargeback Merchant (ECM)       | 100–299     | 1.5%–2.99% | Monthly fines, mandatory remediation plan                   |
| High Excessive Chargeback Merchant (HECM) | 300+        | 3%+        | Escalating fines, \~\$5 issuer recovery assessment per case |

Exiting either tier requires three consecutive months back under the line.

<Warning>
  Treat every number on this page as directional. Visa and Mastercard change these thresholds periodically. Visa's merchant "Excessive" tier alone moved from 2.2% to 1.5% on April 1, 2026. Suby's internal thresholds on [Suby's Dispute Thresholds](/education/dispute-thresholds) are built with headroom against future network tightening.
</Warning>