What is 3D secure?

Want to keep your online gift card purchases safe? That’s where 3D Secure comes in. It’s a powerful security feature designed for Visa and Mastercard prepaid debit cards that adds an identity check before your payment goes through. This added step makes it much harder for anyone else to use your Visa credit card without permission. If you shop online using a prepaid or virtual card, 3D Secure gives you stronger protection with every transaction.

What is 3D Secure?

3D Secure is designed to protect payments made without physically using your card, such as online or in-app purchases. To ensure that you’re the one making the payment, the system prompts for identity verification before completing the transaction. This could mean using a fingerprint, Face ID, or entering a code sent to your phone or email. So for example, if you buy a Spotify subscription with your Rewarble virtual prepaid card, your bank might ask for a fingerprint to confirm it’s really you. That’s how 3D Secure works behind the scenes to keep your account secure.

How does 3D Secure work?

When you use a Visa gift card, Mastercard gift card for an online purchase, 3D Secure adds an extra step to check that the transaction is valid. This step can take different forms: a pop-up message during checkout, an alert in your bank’s mobile app, or a one-time code sent via SMS or email. This added step is part of two card network programs: Visa Secure and Mastercard Identity Check. Both are powered by 3D Secure technology and are designed to stop unauthorized use before a purchase is completed.

Benefits of 3D Secure

• Enhanced fraud protection: 3D Secure is a smart tool for stopping fraud and boosting confidence when you shop online. Adding that extra step protects your prepaid card from unauthorized use, even on unfamiliar websites.
• Reduced liability: It transfers fraud liability in many cases to the bank instead of the cardholder. That means you face less risk if someone does attempt a suspicious charge.
• Wider merchant acceptance: Cards with 3D Secure have a wider acceptance rate, as many merchants only accept cards with 3D Secure to enhance online safety and protect both customers and their businesses from fraudulent transactions.
• Real-time verification: When you make a purchase, your bank sends you a security prompt before the transaction can go through. This alert is designed to make sure it's really you and not someone else using your card without permission.

What is 3DS2?

3DS2, or 3D Secure 2, is an upgraded version of the original 3D Secure protocol. It improves the experience for legitimate users while keeping strong protections in place. Using advanced data analysis, it can identify low-risk transactions and approve them more quickly. There are two possible experiences with 3DS2. The frictionless flow allows the transaction to proceed without requiring a visible verification step, based on a low-risk profile. The challenge flow triggers additional verification, like Face ID or a passcode, if the payment looks suspicious or unusual. 3DS2 also meets Strong Customer Authentication (SCA) requirements in many countries, which are now standard for secure online payments in regulated regions.

How 3D Secure improves checkout

Beyond security, 3D Secure also helps speed up the checkout process. By recognizing repeat behavior and familiar patterns, it reduces the number of declined payments and cuts down on false fraud alerts. This makes online shopping smoother for users of prepaid debit cards. When the system trusts your activity, your purchases are more likely to go through without delay.

Why choose 3D Secure?

3D Secure is essential for safe, reliable online payments. It protects your money and private information by making sure you’re the one approving every purchase. This is especially important when using Visa or Mastercard gift cards, or any prepaid debit card, for things like subscriptions or digital purchases. When buying a game, topping up your wallet, or subscribing to a service, 3D Secure adds a layer of safety that supports successful, secure transactions. It minimizes risk, increases approval rates, and helps you shop online with confidence every time. The technology ensures that each transaction is verified and authenticated, giving both merchants and customers the peace of mind they need in today's digital marketplace..