Protecting you is our top priority
Visa has developed a programme that helps ensure that payments are made by the rightful owner of the Visa account, to make online purchases more secure. We aim to make your online transactions as secure, fast and convenient as purchases you make in a shop.
By working closely with participating merchants and issuers, Visa helps protect your card against unauthorised use when you shop online.
How does it work?
When you shop online and see the Visa Secure badge on participating merchant sites, this means your online purchases are secured with Visa. Visa has developed a programme that helps confirm your identity when you make an online purchase. This service helps make shopping online more secure by protecting against unauthorised use of your Visa card.
Whether you’re using a desktop, mobile or other digital device, you may be guided through an additional check to verify your identity. This helps your issuer know you’re really you, and it better protects you from fraud.
Step 1
Your issuer is working behind the scenes when you're shopping online, using advanced technology to confirm your identity. If there’s any doubt – such as when you use a new device or make an unusually large purchase – you may be asked by your bank to provide more information to confirm the purchase.
For example, you will notice a message or screen after you’ve entered your Visa card details. This is your issuer communicating with you directly. Your bank has a number of tools that can help verify your identity such as a one-time passcode or biometrics. If you encounter this extra step, simply follow the instructions on your screen to verify your identity.
Step 2
On the other hand, if you don’t get prompted with an additional check, this means the security check is likely happening in the background and you may see a revolving wheel on your screen as the security check is done. Your issuer is simply verifying your purchase to see that everything is as it should be.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Visa has developed a programme that helps confirm your identity when you make an online purchase. This service helps make shopping online more secure by protecting against unauthorised use of your Visa card. There’s no need to download anything, install software or register. During an online purchase from your desktop, mobile or other digital device, you may be guided through an extra check to verify your identity. This helps your issuer ensure you’re you and better protects you from fraud.
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Through this programme, you have an added layer of protection that helps to prevent the unauthorised use of your Visa card while shopping online. This service helps your issuer know you’re really you and most importantly it protects you from fraud.
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Yes. This service was designed for both Visa credit and debit cards when shopping online. When you use your Visa debit card, your online transaction experience will be similar to a credit transaction – no need to enter your PIN.
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No. Your current Visa card will work, as long as the financial institution that issues your card is part of this Visa Secure programme. Please visit your issuer’s website for more information.
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This service automatically works at checkout with participating merchants. Remember, there is no need to download anything, install software or register your account to get this added layer of protection. When using this service, you may occasionally be prompted at checkout to verify your identity, but this is to ensure you’re you and protect you from fraud.
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As you complete the transaction, you may be prompted to verify your identity if additional authentication is required. It’s important to take special precautions when shopping online. This extra verification step helps ensure the person using your card is you.
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The financial institution that issued your Visa card has a number of tools that can help verify your identity such as a one-time passcode or biometrics. If you encounter this extra step, simply follow the instructions on your screen to verify your identity.
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If you do encounter this extra verification step, Visa helps route information to your financial institution so they can verify your identity. The Visa logo is there to give you peace of mind that the transmission is secure and reliable.
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No. Although the Verified by Visa name is no longer in use, the same technology is in place to help protect you. In fact, this service was recently enhanced to make transactions more secure and the user experience more seamless.