Web Shield blog
News on regulation, fraud, and card scheme rules
We keep you updated on card scheme rules, fraud trends, underwriting best practices, and Web Shield products.
Regulation round-up
Visa to replace Global Brand Protection Program
Effective 1 May 2023, Visa will introduce the Visa Integrity Risk Program (VIRP) to replace the Global Brand Protection Program (GBPP). We examine the updated requirements for acquirers and their agents in respect of high-risk merchants.
Fraud focus
Ten tell-tale signs of a con
The noun ‘con’ is short for ‘confidence trick’, a swindle involving money in which the victim’s trust is won by the swindler. Con artists use various well-honed tactics to defraud their victims. As an Underwriter, you should know how to spot them.
Regulation round-up
Visa business news - free trial merchants
In June 2019, Visa announced the worldwide harmonisation of requirements for free trial merchants. We examine these requirements and highlight the similarities and differences with the Mastercard requirements that came into effect on 12 April 2019.
Fraud focus
Advanced transaction laundering - Competitor takedown attacks
Transaction laundering has always been a multifaceted problem. One of its most insidious forms is the competitor takedown attack, where fraudsters weaponise card scheme test transactions to discredit legitimate merchants.
Fraud focus
The problem with virtual addresses
Addresses can be used to evade sanctions, perpetrate crime and launder money. Here's how.
RiskConnect news
Connecting the dots - Carl Bernstein at RiskConnect
There are many similarities between journalists and merchant underwriters. Particularly in their pursuit of what Pulitzer prize-winning journalist Carl Bernstein refers to as “the best obtainable version of the truth”.
Regulation round-up
What you need to know about cryptocurrency regulation
Risk and opportunity are intertwined — one cannot exist without the other. This is certainly true of the cryptocurrency space, but there are ways to harness the opportunities and minimise the risks.
Fraud focus
How deceptive marketing endangers your business
Deceptive Marketing can make even seemingly legitimate low-risk merchants problematic. Acquiring Banks and Payment Service Providers should know how these merchants operate.
Expert interview
Merchant monitoring best practices
Especially when it comes to high-risk businesses, merchant monitoring is crucial for the portfolio of Acquiring Banks and Payment Service Providers. Find out how you can improve your monitoring regime and make it more systematic.
Fraud focus
Merchant threats and fraud trends
If we learn from the past, we can prepare for the future. That's why we take a look back at the most important fraud trends of 2018 and project what will be relevant next year.
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