VBASSWhat is the Visa BIN Attribute Sharing Service?

May 15, 2024 | 9 min read

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VBASS Visa BIN attribute sharing service

In a Nutshell

Visa’s BIN Attribute Sharing Service (VBASS) can give you detailed transaction data to help screen out risky cards, manage fraud and chargebacks, and improve customer experiences. This article will explain why and how making BIN attributes more accessible through VBASS can better equip you to fight fraud, handle disputes, and safeguard revenue.

How VBASS From Visa Helps You Identify Cards, Stop Fraud & Save Money

As a merchant, your transaction data is one of the best tools at your disposal to protect your revenue from fraud.

Access to better data can help you screen out stolen or counterfeit cards. It provides solid evidence to challenge fraudulent claims.

The Visa BIN Attribute Sharing Service (or “VBASS”) offers a deeper look into transaction data encoded in a card issuer’s Bank Identification Number (BIN). This six- to eight-digit number identifies issuing banks and reveals more details about the payment instrument. By making these BIN attributes more accessible, VBASS makes it easier for merchants to improve their processes and offer a smoother customer experience.

What is VBASS?

VBASS

[noun]/vē • bās/

The Visa BIN Attribute Sharing Service, or VBASS, is an optional service that provides merchants and other entities with enhanced Visa BIN data. Use of VBASS helps merchants improve authorization rates, reduce fraud, and improve their overall checkout experience.

In simple terms, VBASS arms you with the data needed to flag risky transactions, handle customer inquiries, and represent chargebacks with confidence. With the right information, you can better manage fraud and chargebacks, making VBASS a handy tool to help protect your bottom line. 

Within VBASS, developers can access multiple assets, including:

  • Full BIN List
  • Single BIN Lookup
  • BIN Files Metadata
  • BIN File Transfer APIs

To receive this data, you need to register with Visa and pay the applicable service fees. A licensed acquirer or issuer can help an entity join the VBASS program, subject to Visa's approval and specific terms. Before onboarding, Visa will also review your project to ensure these APIs are being used appropriately.

What Information Does VBASS Provide?

VBASS data is available in two formats. You can request VBASS data either through the Single BIN Lookup API for individual transactions or via the Full BIN List API for a complete list. 

The Full BIN List offers Basic, Advanced, and Complete levels of detail, while the Single BIN Lookup always provides data at the Complete level. Separate fees apply for each level of the Full BIN List. Here's a breakdown of each level:

1

Level 1: Basic

This is the only option with no program fees. There’s also no need for additional registration, aside from a Visa Developer Platform (VDP) Agreement and onboarding fees.

2

Level 2: Advanced

This level includes most of the key issuer BIN attributes, such as account funding source, product ID, and issuer country. Check out the “Levels of Access” section for a comprehensive list of data points.

3

Level 3: Complete

The most comprehensive option, this level includes all data points provided at the Advanced level, as well as extra details like the account funding source subtype and issuer name.

AttributeLevel 1Level 2Level 3Description
Issuer BINBank Identification Number (BIN) of the issuer of the account.
Account Range Minimum/MaximumAccount/Token range min and max
Shared BIN IndicatorTrue if BIN shared by multiple issuers
BIN LengthProvides BIN length - 6 or 8 digits
POS Domestic OnlyDomestic Only BIN or Account Ranges
Online Gambling Block (Purchases)Indicates whether Online Gambling is permitted or not
Auto Substantiation IndicatorAuto Substantiation enabled indicator
PAN/Token IndicatorIndicates if Pan or Token number
Issuer Billing CurrencyCard issuance currency
Issuer Country CodeCard issuance country
Product PlatformIndicates if consumer BIN or commercial BIN
Product ID/NameIndicates type of Visa product (e.g., Visa Signature, Visa Infinite, Visa Classic)
Account Funding SourceIndicates if credit, debit or prepaid
Brand IndicatorIdentifies if the brand or brands is associated with the account range.
Commercial Card Level 2 Data IndicatorIndicates if transaction qualifies for Level 2 interchange rates
Commercial Card Level 3 Enhanced Data IndicatorIndicates if transaction qualifies for Level 3 interchange rates
Combo Card IndicatorIndicator for combo card
Exempt/Non-Exempt BINs (Regulated BINs)Indicator for regulated BINs
Account Funding Source SubtypeIndicates if reloadable or non-reloadable prepaid
Issuer NameName of the Card Issuer
ALM IndicatorIndicates if BIN or Account Range participate in Account Level Management
VAU IndicatorVisa Account Updater enabled indicator
Multi Account Access IndicatorIndicates participation in Multi Account Access
Important!

BIN data is refreshed daily. For users who download the full list, Visa recommends updating it on at least a weekly basis.

Better data could mean fewer chargebacks. Find out how.REQUEST A DEMO

What Benefits Does VBASS Offer?

The Visa Bin Attribute Sharing Service is a valuable tool that gives you key insights into card transactions. With this information, you can enhance your operations and craft a smoother customer experience.

With VBASS, you can take advantage of:

Better Customer Experiences

VBASS lets you focus on and use the unique features of each card type. You can tailor payment experiences to customer preferences, making transactions quicker and more personalized.

Fraud Prevention

Detailed card data helps you spot high-risk transactions and detect potential fraud. With accurate insights into card types and transaction history, you can reduce chargebacks and better protect both your business and customers.

Optimized Payment Processing

VBASS makes it easier to distinguish between credit, debit, and prepaid card transactions. This helps you fine-tune payment processing methods to comply with regulatory requirements and acquirer standards. This system naturally leads to smoother processing.

Cost Control

Knowing the different card types and their costs allows you to optimize routing and minimize interchange fees, helping to keep costs down.

Global Expansion

VBASS gives you a clearer understanding of regional card brands, making it easier to navigate international markets, improve transaction flow, and enhance customer satisfaction.

Operational Efficiency

With detailed card information readily available, you can resolve payment issues faster and handle returns and inquiries more efficiently.

Overall, VBASS helps you make smarter, more data-driven decisions that boost their business efficiency, minimize risk, and deliver a better experience for customers.

How Do You Get VBASS?

You can access the VBASS through two main methods: direct access or indirect access.

Direct Access

This means you get VBASS data straight from Visa. You set up an account with Visa, subscribe to the service, and receive data updates in real time. With this direct link, you’re integrating VBASS data right into your systems, giving you immediate access to the most current card information.

Indirect Access

If direct access isn't your preference, you can still benefit from VBASS by going through third-party service providers that already partner with Visa. They offer platforms and services that come with VBASS data built-in. This approach is great for merchants who prefer working with a provider’s tools or want VBASS data integrated into a broader suite of services. It’s especially helpful for smaller merchants who may lack the tech resources to set up direct access.

VBASS is available globally to merchants who accept Visa cards. Whether you’re operating locally or internationally, VBASS helps you streamline cross-border transactions and stay compliant with regional rules. With Visa’s worldwide network, you can access the data you need to understand customer behavior and payment trends in different markets.

How Effective is VBASS at Preventing Fraud & Chargebacks?

The Visa BIN Attribute Sharing Service can’t prevent Visa chargebacks. That said, it can help provide valuable insights that, when actioned alongside other practices and strategies, can help you stop chargebacks from happening.

VBASS can provide you with expanded transaction data that helps identify fraud patterns, spots red flags, and weeds out risky transactions. For instance, if a large portion of fraudulent charges originates from specific country codes, VBASS lets merchants flag these transactions at the issuer level, even when shipping or IP addresses appear local.

When it comes to preventing disputes and chargebacks, VBASS can help you communicate more effectively with customers and banks while building strong evidence for chargeback representment. For instance, let’s say a cardholder claims their card was counterfeited and that they’ve never been to the location where a purchase was made. Proof that a tokenized card number was processed at that location can provide compelling evidence in favor of the merchant.

VBASS can also give you insights into potential problems with currency conversion, recurring billing, and authorization declines — all issues that often lead to disputes. With this early warning system in place, merchants can tackle these challenges proactively, stopping them from turning into customer service problems and transaction disputes.

VBASS can’t keep chargebacks from happening. But, it can be a valuable part of your broader chargeback prevention strategy. Click below to learn more about multilayered defense against chargebacks and fraud.

VBASS

FAQs

What is a Visa BIN attribute?

A BIN attribute on Visa is a detailed piece of information linked to the Bank Identification Number (BIN), which is the first six to eight digits of a Visa card number. These attributes include the card type (credit, debit, or prepaid), funding source, issuing bank's region, and product details. This information can be used to help merchants understand and verify transactions, identify potential fraud, and streamline payment processing.

What is a BIN for a Visa?

Visa BIN attributes offer additional, detailed information about a card, such as funding source (credit, debit, prepaid), product type, and geographic origin. This expanded data set enables merchants to better understand transactions, customize payment processing, and improve fraud detection, making Visa BIN attributes more comprehensive and actionable than basic BIN numbers.

What is the credit card BIN identifier?

A credit card BIN identifier, or Bank Identification Number, is a series of the first six to eight digits of a credit card number. It identifies the issuing bank or financial institution that provided the card. This identifier helps merchants and payment processors determine key information, such as the card type (credit, debit, prepaid), issuing bank, and regional origin, enabling them to detect potentially fraudulent transactions and streamline processing.

How can I identify a Visa number?

A Visa card number is typically 16 digits long and starts with the number "4." 

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