3D Secure

What is 3D Secure?

3D Secure is a technical standard developed by Visa, MasterCard and American Express to further secure credit cards transactions over the Internet. MasterCard brand their system as MasterCard SecureCode, Visa call theirs Verified by Visa and American Express use SafeKey.

It requires the cardholder to provide a personal password when paying for goods online with their credit card, just as they would provide a PIN on the high street. This ensures that the shopper is who they say they are when providing card details to an online shop. Cardholders are reassured that when they sign up their card is protected from fraudulent use on the internet.

Why am I being prompted for this code?

This is because we have incorporated the Verified by Visa, MasterCard SecureCode and American Express SafeKey technology into our website payment systems. The page requesting your password is actually from the bank issuing your card, NOT Safe.co.uk. At present you do not have to complete this information because 3D Secure is optional, however we understand that Visa, MasterCard and American Express intend to make this extra layer of security mandatory in the near future.

How does 3D Secure work?

Once you've registered and created your own private password, you will be automatically prompted by your card issuer to type this in each time you make a purchase at participating online retailers. Your password will be quickly confirmed by your card issuer to complete your purchase. Your password will never be shared with the retailer and using it is as easy as entering your PIN at an ATM.

How will this affect the checkout process?

In a 3D Secure transaction, you must register for Verified by Visa, MasterCard SecureCode or American Express SafeKey with your issuing bank. If you have not already done so, when you place an order, you will be asked to register your card before continuing with the transaction. The transaction process is as follows:

1. You will complete your order and add products to their shopping basket as usual.
2. At the checkout stage, if you select to pay by Visa, Visa Delta and Visa Debit, Maestro, MasterCard or American Express, then you will be redirected to your issuing bank where you will need to enter your password. If you have not created a password you will have the option to do so at this point.
3. The bank will verify the password and the transaction will continue as normal.

How does 3D Secure protect me?

Correctly entering your password during a purchase at a participating online retailer, confirms that you are the authorised cardholder. If an incorrect password is entered, the purchase will not be completed. Even if someone knows your credit or debit card number, the purchase cannot be completed without entering your password.

More details can be found at the following websites:

• MasterCard SecureCode
• Verified by Visa
• American Express Safe Key