Taming the World ‘Wild’ Web With Compliance (XBIZ)

Read the full article by Cathy Beardsley at XBIZ.com

We are an open-minded bunch when it comes to content. We’ve seen it all over the past 13 years, including the kind of content which can raise the ire of the card brands and result in significant, non-compliance assessments and/or account termination for egregious violations.

One of our responsibilities as a biller is to scrutinize content on the websites where we process, because inappropriate content can lead to serious consequences with the card brands. Even not having enough content can be a problem — not because it leads to fines, but because it can be a predictor of chargebacks. For example, a $25 price for a membership with a very limited number of videos is a chargeback waiting to happen.

Both Visa and MasterCard have programs which address content: MasterCard’s Business Risk Assessment and Mitigation (BRAM) program and Visa’s Global Brand Protection Program (GBPP). The card brands use third party content scan providers such as G2 and Webshield to monitor website content. All adult URLs are registered with both card brands, and they have teams that investigate URLs that have been brought to their attention. We’ve been told that most of the offending websites are reported via anonymous leads.

Knowledge and experience are power. We are able to identify most content issues up front, and have them remedied. Staying on top of the monthly alerts also allows us to address new content that could be problematic and helps mitigate fines should the card brands find something before we do. We are here for merchants when they are not sure about certain content. The card brands have made significant improvements in terms of responding to inquiries, as well, so if you’re not sure about something, just ask. Rest assured you can build your reputation on ours. 

It took only three years for Cathy Beardsley to turn startup Segpay into a profitable company. As president and CEO, Beardsley oversees the day-to-day operations and long-term strategic planning for the company. Segpay is one of four companies approved by Visa USA to operate as a high-risk internet payment service provider in the U.S. Since 2005, Segpay has offered online merchants a state-of-the-art billing platform that provides realtime payment processing around the globe.