CAT (Cardholder Activated Terminal) devices are typically unattended terminals that accept various types of payment cards. These terminals are frequently installed at railway ticket stations, gas stations, toll roads, parking lots, and other commercial locations.
The CAT Indicator value is,
- A value sent in position 10 of the F61 - POINT OF SERVICE (POS) DATA field in the authorization message.
- A value sent in the F060-DE08 - CAT Indicator field during the clearing process.
The CAT Indicator values sent in the F60 field during clearing, along with their descriptions, are listed below:
| Code | Description |
| Blank | Not Applicable for This Transaction |
| 1 | Limited Amount Terminal |
| 2 | Automated Dispensing Machine |
| 3 | Self-Service Terminal |
| 4 | In-Flight Terminal |
Why is the risk different at unattended terminals?
Since there is no staff operating these terminals, it cannot be verified who is holding the card. For this reason, transaction amounts and verification methods may be limited at locations such as parking lots, highways, and fuel stations.
The CAT indicator informs the cardholder's issuing bank that the transaction originated from this type of terminal. The bank then applies its risk controls and dispute rules accordingly.
Sending an incorrect indicator can lead to incorrect fee calculations or issues during the dispute process; therefore, it is important to set the correct value in the terminal configuration.
