Prepaid VISA cards: what merchants accepting VISA need to know

Visa Prepaid Cards Questions & Answers

1. What is a Visa Prepaid card?

A Visa Prepaid card is a payment card containing a preset amount of funds that can be used anywhere in the world Visa cards are accepted. The majority of these cards are “Gift Card” programs, and each has its own look.

2. How does a Visa Prepaid card look?

A Visa Prepaid card is unembossed, meaning that there are no raised letters or numbers. The surface of the card is smooth and displays Visa’s brand mark, along with the 16-digit account number. The cardholder’s name, or a generic title may appear, otherwise it may be left blank. The message ‘Electronic Use Only’ must appear on all cards. A Dove Hologram may appear on the front of the card to the right of the 16-digit account number or in the red zone on back of the card. The back of the card should also have the cardholder’s signature and a magnetic stripe.

3. Do all Visa Prepaid cards look the same?

Each Visa Prepaid card has its own look, which may make it more difficult to recognize and ensure its authenticity. Here are a few examples of different Visa Prepaid card designs.

4. What if the cardholder does not know his/her card balance?

Prepaid cardholders must contact the financial institution that issued their Visa Prepaid card for their balance (1-800 numbers and website addresses 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 POS.

5. What happens if a 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.

6. 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. Be sure to inform the customer that funds credited back to a customer’s Prepaid card may take up to seven business days to process. If the customer does not have their Visa Prepaid card or if the card has expired, refer to your store return policy.

7. 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 for any other Visa card transaction. Be sure to inform the customer that it may take up to seven business days before the funds become available on the card.

8. How do I process split transactions (purchase split between a Visa Prepaid card and another form of payment)?

• Can be done provided your store policy and/or transaction processes allow(s) for it
• The cardholder must inform you of the amount to be deducted from the Visa Prepaid card and the payment method to be used to cover the balance of the purchase, e.g., credit card, debit card or cash

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