As the payments ecosystem evolves, so too do the rules of the game. One of the most significant changes on the horizon is the updated Visa monitoring program known as VAMP. At GOAT Payments, we’re tracking these changes closely — because for partners working in high-risk, subscription, emerging or underserved merchant verticals, understanding VAMP isn’t optional — it’s essential.
What’s Changing?
Visa has consolidated its fraud- and dispute-monitoring programs — including its Fraud Monitoring Program (VFMP) and Dispute Monitoring Program (VDMP) — into one unified framework: VAMP.
Key takeaways:
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The VAMP ratio now combines both fraud reports (TC40) and non-fraud disputes (TC15) divided by total sales.
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New thresholds may be as low as ~1.5% for merchants in many regions by April 2026.
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The “enumeration ratio” (card-testing / bot attacks) is now a distinct metric under VAMP.
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Enforcement begins fully October 1, 2025 for many segments.
Why This Matters for GOAT Payments Partners
For partners and agents working with GOAT Payments, especially in high-risk or hard-to-place verticals, this shift influences several key areas:
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Underwriting & Approval Risk: The stricter metrics mean that merchant accounts with elevated chargebacks or bot attacks will be harder to place. GOAT’s underwriting experience and bank-network flexibility become even more valuable.
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Processing Strategy: Elevated dispute or enumeration ratios may trigger higher oversight, fees or even loss of card-scheme access. Ensuring the right bank, gateway, and merchant profile means staying ahead of risk.
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Value Proposition to Merchants: When you partner with GOAT, you’re not just offering processing — you’re offering risk mitigation. That’s a powerful conversation in a world where VAMP compliance is becoming a differentiator.
GOAT’s Playbook to Manage & Benefit from VAMP
Here’s how GOAT Payments is positioning you for success in the VAMP era:
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Pre-Vetting & Documentation: We help build merchant profiles with full documentation to anticipate and control dispute/fraud exposure.
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Bank-Network Matching: With 35+ strategic sponsor bank options, we can find the right approval path and fall-back options if one bank’s tolerance is exceeded.
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Portfolio Health Monitoring: We monitor metrics proactively (chargeback, dispute reasons, enumeration) so you don’t get surprised by a VAMP alert.
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Merchant Education & Advisory: For your downstream merchants, we provide guidance on how to manage chargebacks, bot attacks, and disputes — which means fewer reviews and smoother approvals.
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Gateway & Integration Support: Leveraging our gateway platform, you can offer merchants features (3-D Secure, tokenization, Level III data) that help lower risk and raise authorization success.
What Can You Do Today?
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Review your merchant portfolios: Which merchants are nearing high dispute/fraud zones? Are any verticals trending risky?
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Engage your agents: Highlight how VAMP influences merchant risk and why GOAT’s support is valuable.
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Prepare new merchants: Ensure new onboarding includes strong fraud/dispute controls from day one.
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Offer “win-back” opportunities: Merchants who were declined or terminated elsewhere may now be placeable under GOAT’s flexible network — and your revenue share.
Final Word
VAMP isn’t meant to scare—it’s meant to raise the bar for risk transparency, dispute resolution, and fraud prevention. For GOAT Payments partners, the changes open up both challenges and opportunities. By aligning early, adopting our processes, and leveraging our ecosystem, you can not only stay compliant but gain a competitive edge by offering merchants what others can’t: approval flexibility + risk-aware advisory.
Let’s make 2025-2026 the year you lead the market in safe growth, diverse vertical penetration, and resilient revenue streams. At GOAT Payments, we’re right beside you every step of the way.
— The GOAT Team
