Verified by Visa and MasterCard Secure Code is a new service providing additional security for online Internet shopping. The intention is to increase consumer confidence in the online market place as well as helping to reduce the risk of fraudulent transactions.

Servebase's VBV/MSC service is available to merchants using PC-EFT software or hosted solutions such as Axis. The system is also available to customers operating 3 rd party authorisation systems as the two processes (authorisation and VBV/MSC check) can be kept entirely separate. Easy to use, the security process confirms a registered cardholder's identity when they make a purchase via the merchant website.

To register and activate their card (once only), a cardholder will create their own personalised question and password. Thereafter, when making purchases at participating online stores a VBV/MSC window (pop-up) will appear on their browser and the cardholder will be prompted to enter and submit their password for checking. This process is secure and encrypted. Only upon successful verification should the (now secure) transaction be able to continue in the normal way for authorisation.

There is now increasing take-up of the service by merchants and cardholders alike. The key benefit to a merchant is that in many cases the liability for a fraudulent transaction accepted over the Internet no longer rests with them. This is subject to negotiation and agreement with your acquirer.