We know how difficult it can be to monitor all of your merchants’ websites effectively. It is a costly and time-consuming process to do in-house, and regulations are constantly changing. So, how does one go about mitigating their risk and monitoring their merchants effectively? Read on to learn about G2‘s top 5 merchant monitoring tips.
1. Regularly analyze merchant website content
It is critical to regularly monitor your merchants’ website content, as it can change at any moment. If your merchant suddenly begins selling goods or services that are not compliant with industry regulations, you may be at risk for brand damage, legal penalties or card network assessments. The card networks suggest that acquirers use a merchant monitoring provider, such as G2, to ensure you identify any non-compliant content that may appear after boarding.
2. Keep on the watch for new card network regulations
Government agencies, card networks and other regulatory bodies frequently make updates to their regulations for what merchants can sell online and how acquiring banks must regulate it. Some of the most recent card network rules can be found online:
We recommend regularly checking on DEA and FDA updates, and also other country-specific government agency websites. Updates can be found on the following pages:
G2 monitors the latest industry trends and works closely with industry regulatory bodies and experts, and we constantly adjust and refine our Persistent Merchant Monitoring service accordingly.
3. Join applicable card network compliance programs for further risk protection
The card networks have established compliance programs for acquirers to help them comply with their frequently changing regulations, including MasterCard’s BRAM (Business Risk Assessment & Mitigation) Program and Visa’s GBPP (Global Brand Protection Program). G2 Web Services is an approved BRAM monitoring provider and also helps acquirers comply with the content regulations outlined in the Visa Global Brand Protection Program.
G2 is the only provider that enables you to report your violations directly to the card networks through a convenient online portal, to enable clear communication with the card networks about your compliance efforts. Learn more about Persistent Merchant Monitoring.
4. Identify all merchant websites
This may sound simple, but with ISO’s, PSP’s, marketplace merchants and more, the value chains of acquirers are becoming increasingly complex. Make sure you have identified all your merchants’ websites.
5. Ensure that your ISO’s and PSP’s are monitoring their merchants and sub merchants
In addition to identifying all your ISO’s, PSP’s and other value chain members’ merchant websites, it is imperative that you monitor them for illegal and non-compliant content, as you are still liable for what those merchants are selling. G2’s Persistent Merchant Monitoring allows increased visibility into your value chain members and their reported violations, so you can monitor, review and take action on them, and share the final outcome with the applicable card networks.
G2 can help you monitor your merchants more effectively, stay on top of changing industry regulations, identify your merchant websites, and comply with card network rules related to merchant website content. G2 Persistent Merchant Monitoring closely monitors your merchants’ websites and alerts you of any issues you may need to be aware of. Many merchants may sell legitimate goods on their websites when you board them into your portfolio. But hours, days or months later, they may switch to selling counterfeit goods or mod chips, items that are not compliant with card network rules and are brand-damaging, not to mention illegal.
Contact us to learn more about how G2 can help you more effectively monitor your merchants and improve your merchant risk management process.
