Payer Authentication

'Verified by Visa' and 'MasterCard SecureCode' are powerful authentication and chargeback protection tools.

These programs allow cardholders to sign up at their issuing bank’s website and create a password to be used for online transactions. Once enrolled, when buying items online, cardholders will be prompted to enter their password prior to completing the transaction – but only if the merchant has previously enrolled in the programs. They were designed to be a consumer’s digital signature and help curb fraud losses. The key benefits to merchants include 1) 100% chargeback protection and 2) Qualification for lower interchange rates.

How it works for merchants

Once a merchant is enrolled in the programs, merchants can choose one of two implementation approaches with us:

• Option #1 – Universal Attempts for Maximum Chargeback Protection

Our unique processing technology does an automatic attempt with Visa and MasterCard on every transaction. If the card is enrolled, we automatically provide an entry screen for the customer to enter their PIN and validate. If the financial institution that issued the card is enrolled in the Verified by Visa and MasterCard SecureCode programs, but the cardholder is not yet signed up, we provide an entry screen giving the cardholder the opportunity to enroll.

The key benefit to this approach: By even attempting to use Verified by Visa, regardless if the customer is enrolled, Visa will provide 100% chargeback protection against that transaction.

• Option #2 – Select Attempts for Less Chargeback Protection

Merchants can choose to only process transactions via Verified by Visa or MasterCard SecureCode when the customer is enrolled and selects that payment method. With this approach, cardholders that are not enrolled will not be given the opportunity to sign up, which some merchants find to be less intrusive during the checkout process. The drawback of not attempting is that Visa will not provide the 100% chargeback protection for that transaction.