What was the purpose of the Combined Warning Bulletin?

The purpose of the Combined Warning Bulletin was to serve as a printed list of blocked numbers. This bulletin was created to help maintain security and mitigate risks in payment transactions by identifying and flagging numbers that should not be used for processing. By keeping a consolidated record of these blocked numbers, it assists payment processors and financial institutions in recognizing potential fraud or other irregular activities, ultimately safeguarding their operations and protecting consumers.

The focus on blocked numbers is crucial as retailers and financial institutions need to stay vigilant against fraud and misuse of their systems. Having a printed list provides easy access for verification purposes and allows for immediate action when necessary.

In contrast, the other options represent different concepts and tools used in the payments ecosystem. A list of defaulted borrowers pertains to credit risk assessment, a database of terminated merchants relates to merchant vetting and compliance, and a record of commercial card transactions tracks expenses and spending but does not specifically address the purpose of blocking fraudulent activities.