3D Secure

  • 3D SECURE

    3D Secure is a system for secure e-commerce transactions with credit cards and debit cards. Developed by Visa® and MasterCard®, these "secure e-commerce transaction" solutions (using personal passwords or identity information) are to protect both the cardholder and the merchant against fraudulent action.

    E-commerce transactions at 3D secure merchants (Verified by Visa® and MasterCard® Securecode logos on sites) are protected against unauthorised use by Visa® and MasterCard®.

  • Consumers

    The internet is an easy and convenient place to buy almost anything. Unfortunately, if someone gets hold of your credit or debit card details, they may try to use them to shop online fraudulently.

    That's why MasterCard® and Visa® have developed MasterCard® SecureCode and Verified by Visa® secure services that offer you much greater protection when shopping online.

    MasterCard® SecureCode and Verified by Visa® both work in the same way - by using personal passwords, used by the consumer, to add an extra layer of protection when you buy online in retailer outlets.

    • What are these services?

      These services are branded under two different names: one for Visa®, one for MasterCard®. Visa®'s version is called Verified by Visa®; MasterCard®'s is MasterCard® SecureCode.

      MasterCard® SecureCode and Verified by Visa® both work in the same way - by using personal passwords to add an extra layer of protection when you buy online in retailer outlets.

    • Where can I shop?

      You can shop anywhere online. Signing up does not in any way restrict your ability to use your card to make purchases online, whether or not the website you are shopping at is currently participating in the service or not. It simply means that when you buy from a retailer that is participating, you benefit from that extra level of security.

      The number of online retailers registered with these services is growing all the time. Click below for a list of those participating currently:

      www.Visaeurope.com

      www.MasterCard.com

    • What does registration involve?

      Different card issuers have slightly different registration processes. But all are very straightforward, and easy-to-follow, with plenty of prompts and information on screen as you go through the process.

      You will be asked a few security questions. You will then be asked to create two things to identify you:

      - A personal greeting, called a Personal Assurance Message (PAM)
      - A password

      When you shop at a participating retailer in the future, your PAM will be displayed to you during the checkout stage. This way you know you are securely connected to your card issuer's website, since only you and your card issuer know your PAM.

      When you create your password, you should avoid making it something obvious that could be easily guessed - so don't use your family name, your address or your date of birth, for example.

      Please note that you will initially have to register each card you hold individually. But you won't have to re-register when you are issued with a new replacement card when an old one expires.

    • How do I sign-up?

      Depending on the cards you have (MasterCard® or Visa®) just click on the links below. You will then be able to see whether your bank has already introduced the services and will be given an opportunity to sign-up.

      Visa

      www.Visaeurope.com

      MasterCard/Maestro

      www.MasterCard.com

      If your bank or card issuer has launched the service you will also be able to sign-up at their website. Not all card issuers have launched MasterCard® SecureCode and Verified by Visa®, though the number is increasing all the time. If you are not sure, simply visit their website and go to the section on security. Note that they may have given the service their own additional brand: if in doubt, we would suggest that you contact your card issuer who will be able to help you.

      You may also find that you are prompted to sign-up for the services while shopping online. If this happens, simply follow the instructions on screen. If you would prefer to sign-up in advance, use one of the two links above.

  • Retailers

    The risk of fraudulent transactions and the resultant chargebacks and administration that arises are a day-to-day hassle for many online retailers. Fortunately a service is now available that's easy to implement and effective in providing greater security for online shopping. It's called 3D Secure, and it comes as two branded services: MasterCard® SecureCode and Verified by Visa®.

    • What are "Verified by Visa®" and "MasterCard® SecureCode"?

      Verified by Visa® and MasterCard® SecureCode provide stronger identification for online payments, enhancing security for card transactions over the internet. Both are based on the 3D Secure protocol, a technical standard developed by Visa® and MasterCard®. Consequently, you do not have to choose between them. Most retailers have found it easiest to introduce both simultaneously, since they require the same changes to your systems.

    • How do they work?

      Verified by Visa® and MasterCard® SecureCode work in exactly the same way. Cardholders register for these services with their card issuer and create a password for use when shopping online at a participating merchant. They can then prove they are the genuine cardholder by keying in their password, which is verified by their card issuer during checkout. The service integrates seamlessly into the checkout process and adds just a few seconds.

    • How do they benefit you?
      • Fraud reduction and guaranteed payment - introducing these services changes the transaction liability rules. Security similar to that offered by chip & PIN in a face-to-face environment guarantees payment for the most common types of cardholder dispute - whether or not the cardholder is registered.
      • Reduced costs and less hassle - chargebacks and dispute processing waste your time and cost you money. Verified by Visa® and MasterCard® SecureCode reduce disputed transactions, avoiding hassle and delivering real savings straight to your bottom line.
      • Opportunities for increased sales - according to Visa® Europe research in Germany, Spain and the UK, the added security offered by Verified by Visa® would encourage 84% of people who do not shop online to do so, and 71% of those who do shop online to do so more often.
    • How do customers use these services?

      Customers find Verified by Visa® and MasterCard® SecureCode easy to use and parallels are often drawn with chip&PIN. As a retailer, once you have introduced these services then customers who have enrolled are asked for their password before completing a transaction. This provides cardholders with greater reassurance because, just like with chip&PIN, only the cardholder knows the registered password. If a customer has not registered prior to visiting your online store then they may be asked to do so when they complete the checkout process.

    • What if cardholders are not registered?

      If the card issuer hasn't yet introduced the service, the transaction simply goes through as normal, without any 3D Secure check. You still get the benefits of the shift in fraud liability.

      If the cardholder is not registered but their card issuer does offer the service, however, the customer will be prompted to sign-up straightaway: a process known as "Activation During Shopping".

      In this, a new secure window appears, where the customer is asked to answer a number of security questions. They are then given the option to sign-up to the service, and can then go on to complete the checkout process as usual.

    • What if cardholders decline to sign-up?

      Cardholders will as a rule have a number of opportunities to sign-up before being required to do so by their card issuers. Individual card issuers will determine their own registration policies, which may include setting limits to cardholders' number of refusals before signing-up becomes compulsory.

    • How do I implement these services?

      For detailed information, please click www.MasterCard.com or www.Visaeurope.com .

3D Secure Merchants