Secure online payments with 3D Secure: everything you need to know

Paying online with a SimpledCard Mastercard payment card is safe and easy. These online payments are protected with two-factor authentication. This is called 3D Secure. You simply confirm the online purchase via the mobile app.

Two-factor authentication and online payment security

Two-factor authentication is increasingly used for online payments. This is regulated in the European Payment Services Directive 2 (PSD2).

This legislation requires Strong Customer Authentication (SCA). This means transactions are verified using two or more of the following elements:

• Knowledge something only the user knows, such as a password, PIN code or ID number.
• Ownership: something only the user possesses, such as a mobile device, token or smart card.
• Inherence: something inherently linked to the user, such as a fingerprint, facial recognition or voice recognition.

All SimpledCard Mastercard cards are equipped with 3D Secure. When you make an online payment with your card, you approve it in the mobile app or Card Management System (CMS). This happens as soon as you make an online purchase above €35. You receive a push notification, after which the verification process starts.

With SimpledCard, you pay online in the same way as with a normal credit card. Besides Mastercard payments, there are several other online payment methods.

Online payments with SimpledCard at a glance

Below, you can read which online payment methods are used most often and how to make online payments safer.

Online payment methods

Online banking and other online payment methods come in many forms. When you order something online, you are redirected to the webshop’s payment page. There, you choose from the different payment methods.

The most common online payment methods are credit cards, PayPal and iDEAL. In the Netherlands, a large share of all online purchases is paid for using iDEAL.

There is also often the option of deferred payment. You only have to transfer money after you have received your purchase. The webshop may offer this directly or via a service such as Afterpay or Klarna.

How do you make sure you pay securely online?

Millions of online purchases are made every year in the Netherlands. This makes the internet an attractive target for fraud. Make sure you use a well-secured computer or phone and a secure internet connection when going online. Always check that the operating system on your computer or phone is up to date. Also download the latest version of your web browser. Your software will then include the latest security patches. This makes your device less vulnerable to viruses and spyware.

Also make sure you use a secure connection when making online payments. You can recognise this by the padlock symbol in the browser bar. The website address should start with “https://”.

How can you recognise a secure webshop?

Also check whether the webshop has a trusted quality mark, such as Thuiswinkel Waarborg or Webshop Keurmerk. The Dutch Consumers’ Association provides more information about this.

Why is PSD2 important?

Since January 2021, there has been an additional security layer for transactions. In Europe, strong customer authentication is mandatory in e-commerce. This requirement is defined in the PSD2 regulation.

What is 3D Secure?

3D Secure is an anti-fraud check for certain card payments. This security check is also called Mastercard SecureCode or Verified by Visa. All SimpledCard payment cards use SecureCode.

The name 3D comes from the model with three domains. 3D Secure adds an extra authentication layer between the financial authorisation process and the online authentication process. The three domains are the acquirer, the issuer and the interoperability domain. The latter is the Mastercard service.

How does SecureCode work?

SecureCode is an additional security code for your payment card. This code provides extra security for online purchases. Only you and your bank know this code. The code remains invisible to merchants.

What's new for SimpledCard cards?

SimpledCard has implemented 3D Secure for all Mastercard cards. This makes online payments with our cards more secure. Are you making an online purchase with one of our cards? Then you confirm the payment in the mobile app or Card Management System.

As a Mastercard cardholder, you can use your budget to make online purchases on trusted websites. It does not matter whether you work in the office or remotely.

How do you pay online?

Are you using a Mastercard card in a webshop? Then follow the normal steps for a credit card payment.

A SimpledCard card has a 16-digit card number. You use this number to complete an online order.

You place an order as you normally would in a webshop. Then you select credit card as the payment method and enter the card number, expiry date and CVC code.

You then complete the 3D Secure process. Is the balance sufficient? The amount is then deducted from the SimpledCard account. The webshop is subsequently informed that the order has been paid for.

3D Secure: how it works

1. You receive a push notification on your phone when the payment is ready for approval.
2. Open the SimpledCard app and go to Tasks.
3. Click on Payment pending and check whether everything is correct.
4. Once approved, click confirm. The payment is now completed. Do you think the payment is incorrect? Then click reject.

Safer online payments with SimpledCard

Business online payments require clear control. With SimpledCard, you manage online payments using prepaid payment cards, adjustable limits, real-time insight and 3D Secure.

This gives employees the payment flexibility they need, while finance maintains oversight of spending, balances and transactions.

Read more about SimpledCard cards or request a demo.