MasterCard Rules (PDF)

Sales Transactions and Cash Disbursements
8.3 Card Acceptance Procedures
If a Chip Card is presented at a Chip-only MPOS Terminal, the Transaction >>
must be completed in accordance with Rule 8.4.2 and the Standards set forth
in the M/Chip Requirements manual.
8.3.2 Determine Whether the Card is Valid
When a Card is presented at an attended POS Terminal or to a cash
disbursement agent, the Merchant or cash disbursement agent must complete
the following steps to determine the validity of the Card:
1. Check the valid date and the expiration date on the front of the Card. If the
Card is expired or not yet valid, obtain an authorization from the Issuer.
Expiration and valid dates are each expressed as follows:
a. When an expiration date is expressed in a month/year format,
Transactions are valid through and including the last day of the month
and year.
b. When a valid date is expressed in a month/year format, Transactions
that occur before the first day of the month and year are invalid.
c. When a valid date is expressed in a month/day/year format, Transactions
that occur before the day, month, and year are invalid.
2. Compare the first four digits of the Card account number on the Card front
with the four digits printed below the Card account number, to ensure the
same digits appear in the same sequence. For cash disbursements, record
the four printed digits as described in Rule 8.3.5.1.
3. Compare the four-digit truncated Card account number imprinted in the
signature panel with the last four digits of the account number on the front
of the Card.
4. Unless a Hybrid POS Terminal is used, compare the Card account number
on the Card front with the number displayed or printed from the POI
Terminal.
5. If a photograph of the Cardholder is present on the Card, compare the
photograph on the Card with the person presenting the Card.
6. Check that the Card is signed.
7. For cash disbursements and face-to-face unique Transactions (with the
exception of truck stop Transactions and Card-read Transactions where
a non-signature CVM is used), request personal identification of the
Cardholder in the form of an unexpired, official government document (for
example, a passport, identification document, or driver’s license) that bears
the Cardholder’s signature, the Cardholder’s photograph, or both. Compare
the signature, if present, on the personal identification with the signature on
the Card. Compare the photograph, if present, with the person presenting
the Card. Record the personal identification as described in Rule 8.3.5.1.
The Cardholder may retain control of the Card during a chip Transaction
performed with PIN as the CVM.
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MasterCard Rules • 12 December 2012 8-5