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Mastercard Fines on transactions done at non Single Tap compliant terminals

Published: 28.11.2023
Updated: 04.04.2024

Mastercard has setup rules for contactless point of interaction transactions across Europe with the aim to improve the cardholder experience. The requirement is that in case the issuer needs to request Strong Customer Authentication (SCA) and the counter reaches its limit during a contactless low-value transaction, Mastercard requires that the cardholder will only need to enter their PIN at the Terminal without the need to tap again or perform a chip and PIN transaction. This process is called the Single Tap Solution. It is mandatory that every contactless transaction on appropriate contactless-capable terminals must support the Single Tap service, regardless of the transaction amount or Strong Customer Authentication (SCA) presence. The transaction will be flagged as non Single Tap supportive in case all of the following three rules are met:

  • The terminal is contactless capable;

  • The transaction is contactless;

  • The terminal does not support Single Tap processing for contactless transactions

The effective date for Danish, Norwegian and Swedish merchants is October 1st 2022. For Finnish merchants the effective date is January 1st 2024.

How do I know how to correct what I’m doing wrong? 

If you have an agreement with a third party terminal supplier, please contact your partner to agree compliant set-up. If you have internal processes to manage transactions on payment cards, please ensure that these follow the procedures mentioned above.

How do I know if I’m being charged for these fines? 

You will see these charges appear on your settlement report.

How do I know the terminal is contactless capable? 

The Data Element of the transactions will show DE 61 [Point-of-Service (POS) Data], subfield 11 [POS Card Data Terminal Input Capability Indicator] equals a value of 3 or 4.

How do I know a transaction is contactless? 

The Data Element of the transactions will show DE 22 [Point-of-Service (POS) Entry Mode], subfield 1 [POS Terminal Primary Account Number (PAN) Entry Mode] equals a value of 07.

How do I know if the terminal does not support Single Tap processing for contactless transactions? 

The Data Element of the transactions will show DE 48, subelement 22 [Multi-Purpose Merchant Indicator], subfield 02 [Single Tap Indicator] does not equal a value of 1.

Are there any exceptions when a transaction will not be flagged as non Single Tap supportive?

Yes, there are some exceptions when a transaction will not be flagged as non Single Tap supportive.

  1. This is the case whenever a transaction is done at an unattended terminal with the following MCC: 4111 Local Commuter Transport 4112 Passenger Railways 4131 Bus Line/Charter Tours 4784 Toll/Bridge Fees 4789 Transportation Services – not elsewhere classified 7523 Parking Lots/Garages

  2. Or; whenever the transaction is done with the following MCC6010 Manual Cash Disbursements – Customer Financial Institution 6011 Automated Cash Disbursements – Customer Financial Institution 6012 Merchandise and Services – Customer Financial Institution 4814 Telecommunication Services 4900 Utilities – Electric, Gas, Heating, Oil, Sanitary Water 6050 Quasi-Cash – Customer Financial Institution 5542 Fuel Dispenser, Automated 5552 Electric Vehicle Charging Local Commuter Transport

  3. Or; whenever the terminal is a cardholder-activated terminal (CAT) 2

  4. Or; whenever the terminal uses a mobile point-of-sale (mPOS) Software-based PIN Entry.