Amex Safekey
- What is American Express SafeKey? SafeKey is American Express’ version of a 3D Secure authentication tool to help both cardholders and businesses protect against unauthorized online Amex transactions. American Express offers this video explaining SafeKey: Cardholders are automatically enrolled in the SafeKey program.
- SafeKey is American Express’ version of a 3D Secure authentication tool that protects both the Amex cardholder and the merchant to avoid unauthorized Amex transactions performed online. Cardholders are automatically enrolled in the Amex SafeKey program with no additional action required on their part.
American Express SafeKey is a fraud prevention tool that is offered to all customers who use this card. SafeKey, like 3d Secure offers additional protection to you as a shopper and as a company.
This page provides an introduction to 3D Secure. It is recommended that all members and merchants read this section and download the guide at the bottom of this page. How it works The 3D Secure feature enables the shopper to enter a password to confirm their identity with the card issuer. If accepted they then complete their order, and when received by you, you have much more confidence that is genuine and real. |
If you are enabled for 3D Secure (Verified by Visa and MasterCard SecureCode) you can be protected from certain 'it wasn't me' Chargebacks on credit, and some debit, card transactions. According to Visa, over 80% of all chargebacks fall into this 'friendly' fraud-related category. Liability for this kind of chargeback passes from the merchant to the card issuer, even if the card issuer is not a participating member of the scheme, or if the cardholder is not enrolled. | 'a real benefit is the assurance members can provide to their cardholders who are considering e-commerce transactions'
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What is it?
The 3-D Secure™ protocol was developed by Visa to improve the security of Internet payments. The protocol is offered with the service name Verified by Visa. MasterCard has also adapted a similar protocol called MasterCard SecureCode. Both are designed to allow authentication of cardholders by their Issuers at participating merchants. | The objective is to benefit all participants by providing Issuers the ability to fully authenticate cardholders through the use of a password during Internet purchases, reducing the likelihood of fraudulent usage of Visa and MasterCard credit cards and improving overall transaction performance |
What does 3D secure stand for?
3D Secure stands for 3 Domain Secure. The three parties involved in the 3D Secure process are the following:
1) The Vendor
2) The Acquiring Bank
3) Visa and MasterCard
Please note that 3D secure does not totally eliminate fraud or chargebacks, therefore merchants should continue to use their anti-fraud systems and security measures
Benefits of 3-D Secure
The combined effect of ease and flexibility of implementation, secure transmission of account information, and reduced disputes offers the following benefits for all parties involved:
Increased consumer confidence, leading to increased sales
Increased card acceptance through better merchant confidence in accepting international transactions
Reduced cardholder disputes, exception handling, retrievals, chargebacks, re-presentments and associated handling costs
Benefits for Members
The primary benefit of 3-D Secure for Members is the reduction in disputed transactions and the resultant exception handling expense and losses. It is expected that nearly 80% of all e-commerce chargebacks and fraud, and a substantial proportion of customer complaints, could be eliminated with the use of Authenticated Payment. This will have a positive impact on Member profitability. | A less tangible, but nevertheless real, benefit is the assurance members can provide to their cardholders who are considering e-commerce transactions. Studies indicate that as many as a third of cardholders are afraid to shop online due to security concerns. Authenticated Payment may convince prospective ecommerce shoppers that it is safe to use their card online. |
Benefits for Cardholder
| Benefits for Merchants
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Do I need to do anything?
3D secure is available with all of our accounts and no extra development work is required on your site as the process is identical to our standard online payment process, with the exception that we will automatically detect if the cardholder has enrolled to the 3-D secure scheme and will prompt for additional card details. If you are currently using a full API integration some slight integration work may be needed.
American Express SafeKey
The American Express SafeKey® programme ('SafeKey') is a Payer Authentication service that adds an extra layer of security when a participating Cardmember shops online. SafeKey reduces unauthorised online use before it happens by validating the Cardmember’s identity with an additional password or unique value.
What kind of security authentication methods does American Express SafeKey support?
American Express SafeKey works on the 3-D Secure protocol supporting multiple authentication methods
Is American Express SafeKey aligned with industry standards?
American Express Security Code
Yes, to facilitate ease in certification of American Express SafeKey and minimize development costs as much as possible, SafeKey has aligned with industry standards. Issuers, Acquirers and Vendors should find American Express’s 3-D Secure solution to be virtually the same as others in the payment industry.
Where is American Express SafeKey available?
Additional markets will be added based on Merchant/Issuer requests, market capabilities and governmental regulatory requirement.
What Is American Express Safekey
| United Kingdom | France | Greece |
| India | Malaysia | Russia |
| Singapore | Spain | Switzerland |
| Turkey | Vietnam |