Verified by Visa and Mastercard Identity Check
Verified by Visa and Mastercard Identity Check (formerly Mastercard SecureCode) are used to help secure card transactions when the cardholder is not present to reduce fraud and protect customers. This is also known as 3D Secure (3DS1 and 3DS2) and Secure Card Authentication (SCA).
This usually involves a two-step authorisation where you need to interact with your issuing bank in some way to verify that you're the one making the transaction.
How does it work?
- Enter your card details and attempt to pay.
- Your issuing bank will assess the transaction and determine if it wants to run Verified by Visa or Mastercard Identity Check. If yes, you will be directed to a page from your bank where you will either need to sign in and authorise the transaction, be prompted to authorise the transaction in your banking app, or enter a code sent to your SMS or email. If no, the transaction will go through without any prompts.
- Once you follow the instructions on the screen, the transaction will go through normally.
Why does this happen?
Your bank decides when secure card authentication is required. They have a set of rules, requirements and security protocols that determine when you'll be presented with these prompts. You can typically expect it to appear when you're spending at a new place and every once in a while after that to make sure it's still you.
SCA became a mandatory requirement on 14 September 2019 for Europe and 14 March 2022 for the United Kingdom. For all other countries and banks worldwide, this varies.
Do I have to use SCA?
Yes. If you're being prompted for secure card authentication, it's because your bank has requested it. Most modern banking applications have made it super easy for you to prove it's you via your banking app so it should be hassle-free.
Troubleshooting
If SCA isn't working well for you, please us know and we'll try and assist you the best we can. Most SCA matters are handled directly by your issuing bank but we can always look into it.