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We've assembled answers to the questions that are asked most frequently by visitors to MasterCard websites. Select from the list below to find what you need.
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Questions About Consumer Privacy
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Does MasterCard record information about me when I visit this Web site? |
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As you browse mastercardbusiness.europe, MasterCard's computer collects information about your visit, but not about you personally. The information is used to determine site statistics; including how many people visited the site and which pages people visit most. However, the information is collected on an aggregate basis, and no personal information is associated with the statistics.
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If I order a brochure or enter a contest, I have to provide some personal information. What does MasterCard do with my information? |
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MasterCard does not collect personal information from you unless you provide it. If you do choose to provide us with personal information, MasterCard uses it only for the purpose specified. If you request a brochure, we use the information only to fulfill the order. In addition, MasterCard does not sell, rent or give this information to any other entity.
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How can I learn more about the consumer privacy issue? |
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MasterCard recognizes the rising concern over this important issue and has included additional information on our site. Click here to learn more about our privacy policy. You'll find information about maintaining your privacy on our Web site, how to take control of your own personal information, MasterCard's formal Privacy Position and links to other Web sites.
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Questions From Our Business Consumers
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How does my business apply for a MasterCard BusinessCard, Corporate Card or Purchasing Card? |
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MasterCard provides invaluable business tools for your company or agency. To apply for a card, you must contact one of our card-issuing member institutions since MasterCard does not issue cards itself. See the Small Business, Midsized Companies, Corporations or Public Sector areas of this website for lists of these member institutions, or to request further information.
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How can my business establish a merchant account with MasterCard? |
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With so many millions of MasterCards in circulation, it's a wise choice for any business to accept MasterCard. We've assembled all the information you need to get started in our Merchant Acceptance Center. Visit today!
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| Q: |
How can my business download the MasterCard brand mark for use on the WWW? |
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Electronic versions of the MasterCard brand mark are available on this web site for download by qualified institutions. Click here for details.
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| Q: |
Does MasterCard set standards for deciding which merchants can accept the MasterCard? |
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MasterCard sets some minimum standards on merchants for the protection of cardholders, but most standards are set by the banks that maintain a direct relationship with the merchant. These standards will vary from bank to bank, but in general a bank will prefer a merchant with whom it has an established relationship. It will also prefer, as a fraud-prevention measure, a merchant that can't move away on a moment's notice, potentially leaving behind fraudulent transactions.
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| Q: |
My company is a business supplier. How can I get information about accepting the MasterCard Corporate Purchasing Card®? |
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If your company does business within U.S, see the MasterCard Corporate Purchasing Card pages of this web site. Outside U.S, contact one of our regional offices.
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| Q: |
My company is a financial institution. How can we become a MasterCard member? |
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Please contact a Member Relations representative at the MasterCard office nearest you.
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What is MasterCard doing about Internet security? |
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MasterCard has long recognized that the security of all transactions is a key requirement for consumers, merchants and financial institutions. On the Internet, MasterCard has been a leader in the effort to provide secure electronic commerce through our support of SecureCode which provides MasterCard Cardholders with added protection against unauthorized card usage when shopping at participating merchants online.
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| Q: |
I represent an existing MasterCard member institution. How can I contact a MasterCard representative? |
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MasterCard representatives are available in MasterCard offices worldwide to help you with information specific to your region. Please contact a Member Relations representative at the MasterCard office nearest you.
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| Q: |
Can a merchant charge me a fee to use my MasterCard card? Can a merchant require a minimum purchase amount to use my MasterCard card? |
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The answer to the first question is almost never; the answer to the second question is not ever. Merchants must follow certain acceptance rules in order to be granted the privilege of accepting MasterCard cards. One of these rules specifically prohibits the practice of surcharging, that is, charging a customer a fee for using a MasterCard card over and above the sale amount. Under very specific conditions, however, a merchant can charge customers - including those using a MasterCard card - a fee in addition to the transaction amount. As a general rule, such a fee doesn't violate the MasterCard rules provided the fee is charged to all customers engaging in the same transaction, regardless of the form of payment. Keep in mind, however, that it is not a violation of the MasterCard rules for a merchant to offer customers a price discount for payment in cash, provided payment by MasterCard card is on at least as favorable terms as payment by any other means.
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Another MasterCard acceptance rule prohibits merchants that accept MasterCard cards from establishing any minimum amount below which the merchant won't accept payment via MasterCard card. If a merchant displays a decal with the MasterCard logo to indicate that MasterCard cards are accepted, that merchant can not condition a sale based upon the cardholder disclosing any other information or identification, except under very specific conditions, such as when merchant needs to deliver merchandise to the cardholder's home or business.
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It's not always easy to tell whether a merchant is complying with MasterCard acceptance rules. It's important to MasterCard that you are treated fairly and in accordance with those acceptance rules when you shop using your MasterCard card.
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Most Frequently Asked Questions
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What factors are considered when my application is reviewed? |
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Approval policies will vary depending on the financial institution issuing the card.Many financial institutions rely on information from credit reporting agencies. MasterCard is not affiliated with these agencies and we do not advise members on how to use the information they obtain from credit reporting agencies. In addition to providing telephone customer service, some card-issuing members maintain websites which include information about MasterCard products and services. If you have comments/questions for a member that does not currently have a web site, or is not listed in our directory, please forward your comments/questions to the member institution directly.
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How do I request a larger line of credit for my credit card account? |
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The best approach for requesting a larger line of credit is to talk to the financial institution that issued your card. If you don't know their number, check your statement or take a look on the back of your card, since many issuers list a toll-free number there.
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Where can I get a list of MasterCard/Cirrus ATM locations? |
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The MasterCard/Cirrus ATM network is the largest in the world, giving you immediate access to cash wherever you go. To locate an ATM in a particular place, try our ATM Locator, or, within Canada and the U.S., call 1-800-4Cirrus (1-800-424-7787). Outside Canada and the U.S., contact your financial institution.
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| Q: |
How do I get emergency assistance from MasterCard while traveling away from home? |
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MasterCard provides many services to assist you whether you're close to home or halfway around the world. Look through our Emergency Aid section, which will lead you to listings of toll-free Global Service phone numbers around the world.
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| Q: |
What's the difference between a credit card and a debit card? |
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A credit card allows you to pay via installments and/or a revolving line of credit, with the limit set by the issuer. Your monthly payment can range from a minimum amount, set by your bank, to your entire outstanding balance. Generally, if you pay the entire bill at the end of the month, no interest is charged. If a balance is outstanding, you will be charged interest at a predetermined annual percentage rate (APR) which differs from issuer to issuer. A debit card is linked to your checking or savings account, and the amount of your purchases is deducted directly from that account. A debit card functions as a paperless checking account.
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What is MasterCard doing about Internet security? |
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MasterCard has long recognized that the security of all transactions is a key requirement for consumers, merchants and financial institutions. On the Internet, MasterCard has been a leader in the effort to provide secure electronic commerce. Along with IBM, Netscape Communications, and many others, MasterCard has helped develop open standards that will make transactions on the Internet secure for everyone. MasterCard has also given a major grant to launch a groundbreaking programme to monitor, report and prevent online fraud.
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How can I find information about my existing MasterCard accounts (such as changing my contact information or requesting additional cards)? |
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All account-specific information is managed by the bank that issued your card. Contact the customer service department of your bank directly (contact information can usually be found on the back side of your MasterCard or on a billing statement).
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Can I get access to my MasterCard account information over the Internet? |
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Some financial institutions that issue MasterCard have Internet capabilities; others do not. To find out about your bank's Internet capabilities, or to find a MasterCard member bank with specific Internet capabilities, contact the customer service department of the bank directly. Contact information can usually be found on the back side of your MasterCard and/or on a billing statement. Some card-issuing members maintain web sites which include information about MasterCard products and services. If you have comments or questions for a member that does not currently have a web site, or is not listed in our directory, forward them to the member institution directly.
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