Why do some Visa Prepaid cards have no cardholder name?
Prepaid cards with no cardholder name are known as non-personalized cards. Non-personalization gives card issuers more options and flexibility when issuing new or replacement cards.
When accepting these cards, remember to ensure that the cardholder has signed the signature panel on the back of the card, and that the signature matches the signature on the sales receipt, just as you do with a Visa credit card.
The Visa Prepaid card has no raised letters or numbers. Is this normal?
Yes. Some Visa Prepaid cards are unembossed, meaning they are smooth and have no raised characters. Unembossed cards can only be used at an electronic terminal that can obtain immediate online authorization.
What if the cardholder does not know their Visa Prepaid card balance?
Cardholders must contact the financial institution that issued their Visa Prepaid card for their balance (toll free numbers and websites are printed on the back of the cards). Currently, there is no way for you, the merchant, to find out the remaining balance at your terminal.
Can the Visa Prepaid card be used for online purchases?
Yes. Visa Prepaid cards are intended for use anywhere Visa cards are accepted.
However, you should be aware that some fraud protection software used by Internet merchants may decline a Visa Prepaid card purchase transaction.
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Can the Visa Prepaid card be used for gas purchases?
Yes. It is recommended that the cardholder present the card to the station attendant instead of paying at the pump to avoid a possible authorization decline.
Can the Visa Prepaid card be used at restaurants and hotels?
Yes. However, cardholders should be made aware that many restaurants and hotels factor in an automatic tip of up to 20% when authorizing card purchases. If the total amount, plus the estimated tip, exceeds the balance on the card, the transaction will be declined. To avoid this situation, the cardholder can deduct a specific amount from the card and use another method of payment to cover the difference.
What happens if the cardholder tries to make a purchase of greater value than their card balance?
The transaction will be declined. The cardholder may ask to split the purchase between two forms of payment. This can be done, provided your store policy and/or transaction processes allow(s) for split transactions. In these cases the cardholder must inform you of the amount to be deducted from the Visa Prepaid card and the payment method they wish to use to cover the balance of the purchase, e.g. credit card, debit card, or cash.
What should I do if a Visa Prepaid card transaction is declined?
Check to see if the card has expired. The expiry date is on the front of the card. If the card has not expired, ask the customer to verify with their card issuer that there are enough funds on the card. If sufficient funds are not available, ask the customer to cover the remaining balance with an alternate payment method (e.g. credit card, debit card, cash or cheque).
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What if the magnetic stripe on a Visa Prepaid card that is unembossed can't be read in the card swipe terminal?
If the card swipe reader can't read the magnetic stripe of a Visa Prepaid card that is unembossed, the merchant has the option of manually key-entering the transaction into the terminal, or asking the customer for another form of payment. If the transaction is manually key-entered, merchants assume the standard Visa Card Not Present liability risk for these transactions, since no card imprint is possible.
Where can Visa Prepaid cards that are unembossed be used?
A Visa Prepaid card that is unembossed may be used at any Visa merchant location worldwide that has an electronic terminal. Where no online-capable electronic terminal exists, or where an online authorization is not available (e.g. parking lots, movie kiosks, etc.), use of the Visa Prepaid card is not possible. If a merchant without an electronic terminal manually key enters the transaction, the merchant runs the risk of receiving a "Missing Imprint" or "Card Not Present" chargeback.
How is a Visa Prepaid card that is unembossed handled?
Visa Prepaid cards that are unembossed should be handled the same way as other Visa Cards. No new acceptance software or hardware is required, unless you only have a manual imprint machine. Simply swipe the card through your electronic terminal as usual and, once the transaction is authorized, have the cardholder sign the printed receipt.
How do I handle returns for purchases made with a Visa Prepaid card?
The cardholder should have the Visa Prepaid card they used to make the purchase and the purchase transaction receipt in order to return an item. Funds credited back to a customer’s Visa Prepaid card may take three to seven business days to process. If the customer does not have their Visa Prepaid card has expired, refer to your store return policy.
How do I handle voided purchases made with a Visa Prepaid card?
You can void a purchase on a Visa Prepaid card as you would any other Visa transaction. If asked, be sure to inform the customer that it may take up to seven business days before funds become available on the card.
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