Procedures for Returning Counterfeit Cards

Any tampering with the security features of a payment card renders the card unacceptable. Merchants should specifically look for signs for tampering with the account number, the card's expiration date, its security code and the cardholder name. When a merchant detects a card that has been altered, the merchant must not accept it for payment and, if possible to do so by reasonable and peaceful means, retain it and return it to its acquiring bank or directly to the card issuer. Acquiring banks or merchants must return counterfeit cards to the card issuer by following the instructions provided by its authorization center. The following information identifies a card issuer:

• The card issuer's bank identification number (BIN) embossed on the front of the card.
  
• The member ID imprinted in the Card Source Identification area on the back of the card.
  

In the absence of a BIN or member ID, the card issuer may be identified by any other means, including the bank name printed on the front or back of the card or the magnetic stripe. If the card issuer is still unidentifiable, the card should be returned to the respective Credit Card Association.