Abstract: A loss control system is disclosed wherein an issuer of bank cards can regulate the type of authorization requests transmitted thereto from a merchant. More particularly, a system is disclosed wherein each issuer maintains files relating to their cardholder. A data control center is linked to the files of each issuer, as well as to the merchants in the system. The data control center is provided with parameters, supplied by each issuer, for determining which authorization requests are to be forwarded to the issuer for approval. In use, merchants forward all transactions to the data control center. The data control center evaluates the requests against the parameters supplied by the associated issuer. The data control center will only forward requests to the issuer if they fall within the parameters defined by the issuer. Requests which are forwarded are evaluated by the issuer and an acknowledgment is sent back to the merchant through the data control center.