In recent weeks, many of our clients have had questions concerning Visa’s Account Updater (VAU) and MasterCard’s Automatic Billing Updater (ABU) requirements. These programs will automatically pull card number and expiration date updates to account-on-file merchants. The idea is that reoccurring payments will not be disrupted when events requiring card changes occur such as card expiration, product upgrade, lost or theft occurs, etc.
Visa and MasterCard have mandated that the service is mandatory for card issuers, but cardholders may individually opt out of this service. Although Visa and MasterCard do not require notification of the service or the ability to opt-out, it is our opinion that existing cardholders are notified of the service activation and the opt-out ability. Additionally, account opening documentation should be updated to describe the service and opt-out to new cardholders. While this service will most likely be a benefit to customers in most instances, situations may arise when cardholders do not want this information to carry forward. We believe it is important to notify cardholders of their option to forego this service.
Visa and MasterCard have mandated that the service is mandatory for card issuers, but cardholders may individually opt out of this service. Although Visa and MasterCard do not require notification of the service or the ability to opt-out, it is our opinion that existing cardholders are notified of the service activation and the opt-out ability. Additionally, account opening documentation should be updated to describe the service and opt-out to new cardholders. While this service will most likely be a benefit to customers in most instances, situations may arise when cardholders do not want this information to carry forward. We believe it is important to notify cardholders of their option to forego this service.
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