How does Secure E-Commerce work?
You receive a personal password, known only to you, from your card-issuing bank. When shopping at an online shop that supports MasterCard SecureCode or Verified by VISA, you will be unambiguously identified as the cardholder by means of the password (see also the page "How it works").

How does Secure E-Commerce protect me as a cardholder?
The personal password corresponds to your signature when paying on location. Without the password, an Internet shop that supports MasterCard SecureCode or Verfied by VISA will no longer accept your payment. This protects you from misuse of your credit card in case of the theft thereof.

Is Secure E-Commerce easy to use?
Yes. If you want to pay with your credit card at an Internet shop, a pop-up window automatically opens in which you must confirm the current transaction using your personal password. No additional software is needed.

Do I need a new credit card to make use of this service?
No. You can continue to use your credit card as usual. You need only register once at your card-issuing bank for this new service in order to receive your personal password.

How do I determine whether an online shop supports MasterCard SercureCode or Verified by Visa?
The corresponding logos are clearly displayed on the payment page (check-out) of the online shop.

What system requirements are needed by Secure E-Commerce?
MasterCard SecureCode and Verified by Visa function with most known Internet browsers. Make sure that you have not installed software that surpresses the activation of pop-up windows!

Shopping with MasterCard SecureCode

How do I use my Secure E-Commerce password?
When you conduct an online transaction, you will automatically be asked for your card number and password in a pop-up window. Only when both have been correctly entered will the purchasing process be successfully concluded.

How does Secure E-Commerce protect my online purchase?
During the online verification of your card number and your personal password, a one-time code is generated which enables the exact tracing of the transaction. This code also unambiguously identifies all participants in the transactions including the cardholder, online shop and card-issuing bank.

Is it still possible to shop at online shops that do not yet support Secure E-Commerce?
Yes. However, you cannot profit from the benefits listed for a secure online transaction because you cannot enter a password to protect your data.

How does an online shop determine whether my card is registered for Secure E-Commerce?
Each online shop that supports MasterCard SecureCode or Verified by Visa is directly connected to a central registry. All card numbers are registered there. When you identify yourself while paying with your personal password, your details are then instantly verified. The online shop operator is unable to see your personal password because it is transmitted directly to your bank over a secure SSL connection.

Can Secure E-Commerce transactions be conducted with online shops worldwide?
Yes. MasterCard SecureCode and Verified by Visa are internationally Standardized processes that make online transactions more secure.