pros and Cons of Verified by Visa and Amex SafeKey

InsideInsurance

SuperHan wrote: »

The problem I have found is that if someone stole my purse, they would have enough information to bypass verified by visa, as it has my date of birth and the card in question in there.

How does having your DOB allow them to bypass 3D Secure?

lisa701

Its pointless. I thought it meant you were only authorising the company to take a maximum of that amount, how wrong I was.

I made an online purchase from a large kitchenware retailer which came to £58. Verified by VISA came up and I put in my code. Thought all was ok.

Two days later I came use my card only to have it rejected. I knew I had enough money so contacted my bank to find out what was going on.

Turns out the company did not have all my goods in stock so only deducted £45 from my card. However, as I'd authorised £58 through the verification process it was now showing both figures as being debited. This pushed it to its limit and blocked my account. Bank could do nothing until 10 working days had passed at which time the £58 authorisation would drop off my account if not taken by the kitchenware company.

So whats the point in the verification process if it means a company can not only take that amount, but take extra should they wish to do so. I had that conversation with my bank who agreed that was the case but said they could do nothing to help me so that meant 10 days of being unable to access my money.

lisa701

SuperHan wrote: »

The problem I have found is that if someone stole my purse, they would have enough information to bypass verified by visa, as it has my date of birth and the card in question in there.

My work colleague can never remember the details she set up for the "verified by" process so every time she makes an online purchase she ends up calling the helpline who reset it for her. So if someone does steel your purse they will have more than enough information to call the helpline and reset it thus allowing them to buy what they like.

InsideInsurance

lisa701 wrote: »

Turns out the company did not have all my goods in stock so only deducted £45 from my card. However, as I'd authorised £58 through the verification process it was now showing both figures as being debited. This pushed it to its limit and blocked my account. Bank could do nothing until 10 working days had passed at which time the £58 authorisation would drop off my account if not taken by the kitchenware company.

This is nothing to do with 3D Secure, exactly the same would have happened if they had processed the payment in the same way without using 3D Secure.

Your account however has not been debited both values, its only been debited £45, the £58 is being held as an autorisation and so hasnt actually been debited but will be deducted off of your available credit until its been claimed by the merchant or the authorisation drops off (normally around a week)