Top-line protections are Spending Settings designed to help protect the Visa® Prepaid Card against fraud. True Link sets default top-line protections on every Card, and you can change them at any time.
In this article, you'll learn what each of the three top-line protections does, how each one is set by default, and how to make exceptions.
The three top-line protections at a glance
| Protection | Default setting |
|---|---|
| ScamWatch powered by Retina | Blocked |
| Online and phone purchases | Allowed |
| International transactions | Blocked |
1 – Merchants flagged by ScamWatch
ScamWatch, powered by Retina™, watches for merchants known for scams and can block a purchase before it goes through. Purchases at merchants flagged by ScamWatch are blocked by default. To learn what ScamWatch looks for, see Spending Settings - ScamWatch, Powered by Retina™.
If the cardholder would like to make a purchase at a merchant that ScamWatch blocks, we recommend adding the merchant as a Merchant Exception and allowing all purchases at that merchant.
2 – Online and phone purchases
When online and phone purchases are blocked, the Card must be used in person to make a purchase. You may choose to block online and phone purchases if you know the cardholder uses the Card in person but not online or over the phone, to help reduce the risk of fraud. Online and phone purchases are allowed by default.
If you block online and phone purchases, you can still allow certain types of them, such as utility bill payments or restaurant delivery:
- Set the online and phone purchases toggle to BLOCK.
- Check the box next to each exception you'd like to allow.
To allow a specific online merchant, add the merchant as a Merchant Exception, and purchases there will be allowed.
3 – International transactions
Blocking international transactions prevents the Card from being used at merchants outside the United States. International transactions are blocked by default. This setting can only be adjusted for Cards funded by STABLE Accounts.
How to update top-line protections
Top-line protections are one of the spending category groupings, so you update them the same way you update spending categories.
Option 1 – True Link mobile app
- Log in to the True Link mobile app and tap Spending Settings.
- Tap the Top line protections grouping.
- Tap the toggle next to a protection to change it from Allowed to Blocked, or vice versa.
Option 2 – Online dashboard
- Log in to your online dashboard and go to the Spending Settings tab.
- Scroll down to the Spending categories section and click the Top line protections grouping.
- Click the toggle next to a protection to change it from ALLOW to BLOCK, or vice versa.
Changes save automatically and take effect immediately.
Please be aware
- Merchant Exceptions take priority. Allowing a merchant with a Merchant Exception lets purchases there go through even if a top-line protection would otherwise block them.
- Temporary overrides take priority over everything. While a temporary override is on, it takes the place of all other Spending Settings, including top-line protections.
- See something you don't recognize? If you see a transaction you don't recognize or believe is incorrect, contact our Customer Support team right away — we can help you review it and file a dispute. To learn more, see Disputing Fraudulent Transactions or Merchant Errors.
If you have any questions about top-line protections, please don't hesitate to contact our Customer Support team.