Maestro Global Rules (PDF) - MasterCard

Acquiring
7.1 Acquirer Obligations and Activities
Additionally, the Acquirer must ensure that its Payment Facilitator satisfies all of
the obligations set forth in Rules 7.1.3.5 through 7.1.3.8.
7.1.3.5 Sub-merchant Screening Procedures
Before entering into, extending, or renewing an agreement with a Sub-merchant,
a Payment Facilitator must verify that the entity is a bona fide business, has
sufficient safeguards in place to protect Account and Transaction data permitted
by the Standards to be captured from unauthorized disclosure or use, complies
with applicable laws, and that each Transaction submitted by the Sub-merchant
will reflect bona fide business between the Sub-merchant and a Cardholder.
In determining whether the entity is a bona fide business, the Payment >>
Facilitator must perform a credit check, background investigations, and
reference checks of the Sub-merchant, and a check for validity of the business
address and other information provided by the Sub-merchant. If the credit
check raises questions or does not provide sufficient information, the Payment
Facilitator also should conduct a credit check of:
1. the owner, if the entity is a sole proprietor:
2. the partners, if the entity is a partnership
3. the principal shareholders, if the entity is a corporation
It is also recommended that the Payment Facilitator perform an inspection of >>
the entity’s premises or Web sites and records to ensure that it has the proper
facilities, equipment, inventory, agreements, and personnel required and if
necessary, license or permit and other capabilities to conduct business.
The Payment Facilitator must retain all records concerning the investigation of
any entity with which it has entered into a Sub-Merchant Agreement for a
minimum of two (2) years after the date the agreement is terminated or expires.
7.1.3.6 Sub-merchant Agreement
Each Payment Facilitator must enter into a written agreement with each
Sub-merchant which sets forth the terms applicable to the Sub-merchants
acceptance of Cards and otherwise complies with this Rule 7.1.3.6 and Rule
7.1.3.7.
The Sub-Merchant Agreement must not interfere with or lessen the right of the
Payment Facilitator, the Acquirer, or the Corporation to terminate the agreement
at any time. The Corporation reserves the right to restrict a Payment Facilitator
from entering into a Sub-Merchant Agreement based on the business of the
entity or other criteria as the Corporation deems appropriate.
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Maestro Global Rules • 9 November 2012 7-7