Change in MasterCard rules for Recurring Donors

In Australia, the FIA (Fundraising Institute of Australia) has been advocating on this and has reported that:

Mastercard has agreed the proposed changes are onerous to charities and most of the new rules will be “recommended best practice” rather than required. They may be required for charities if excessive charge backs or other issues arise, in which case Mastercard will work with the individual organisation.

The recommended best practice will apply to these new rules:

• Disclose the subscription terms when the cardholder makes a payment.
• Provide a subscription order confirmation by email or other electronic communication following payment.
• Provide a transaction receipt after each billing event by email or other electronic communication.
• Provide an electronic cancellation method that is easily accessible online.
• For subscription frequencies of six months or more, provide an electronic reminder prior to the billing date

Additionally, references to “cancellation” of subscriptions have been replaced with access to “account management capabilities”.

These changes were to be communicated to merchants via a bulletin.

It would seem reasonable that this would be a global resolution, but I'm not sure if this particular info is specific to Australian merchants

In Australia, the FIA (Fundraising Institute of Australia) has been advocating on this and has reported that:

Mastercard has agreed the proposed changes are onerous to charities and most of the new rules will be “recommended best practice” rather than required. They may be required for charities if excessive charge backs or other issues arise, in which case Mastercard will work with the individual organisation.

The recommended best practice will apply to these new rules:

• Disclose the subscription terms when the cardholder makes a payment.
• Provide a subscription order confirmation by email or other electronic communication following payment.
• Provide a transaction receipt after each billing event by email or other electronic communication.
• Provide an electronic cancellation method that is easily accessible online.
• For subscription frequencies of six months or more, provide an electronic reminder prior to the billing date

Additionally, references to “cancellation” of subscriptions have been replaced with access to “account management capabilities”.

These changes were to be communicated to merchants via a bulletin.

It would seem reasonable that this would be a global resolution, but I'm not sure if this particular info is specific to Australian merchants