Payment Card Industry (PCI) Data Security Standards Practice Test

Which of these is a responsibility of an acquirer?

1. Maintain list of complaint merchant and service providers

2. Determine fines and liability for each card brand compliance program

3. Provide the compliance status of their merchants to PCI SSC

4. Incur any liability that may result from their merchants' noncompliance with card brand compliance programs

The correct answer is: Incur any liability that may result from their merchants' noncompliance with card brand compliance programs

The responsibility of an acquirer involves incurring liability that may arise from their merchants' noncompliance with card brand compliance programs. This reflects the acquirer's role in the payment card ecosystem, where they act as a bridge between merchants and card brands. When a merchant fails to meet the required standards set by card brands, the acquirer may face financial repercussions, including fines or penalties imposed by those brands. As such, merchants rely on acquirers not only for transaction processing but also to ensure adherence to compliance measures. Understanding this role is crucial as it highlights the interconnectedness of the payment card industry: acquirers must effectively monitor and support their merchants in achieving compliance to mitigate potential liabilities. This responsibility underscores the importance of strong partnerships between acquirers and their merchants to foster adherence to PCI Standards.