Fraud Dictionary
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Strong Customer Authentication (SCA)

Strong Customer Authentication (SCA)

What is Strong Customer Authentication (SCA)?

Strong Customer Authentication (SCA) is a type of authentication process that is designed to increase the security of online transactions and reduce the risk of fraud. SCA typically involves the use of multiple authentication factors, such as something the customer knows (like a password or PIN), something the customer has (like a smartphone or token), and something the customer is (like a fingerprint or facial recognition).

The goal of SCA is to provide an additional layer of security for online transactions by requiring the customer to provide multiple forms of authentication before the transaction can be completed. This makes it more difficult for fraudsters to access sensitive information or complete unauthorized transactions.

SCA is required for certain types of online transactions in the European Union (EU) under the revised Payment Services Directive (PSD2). The aim of these requirements is to improve the security of online payments and reduce the risk of fraud.

By implementing SCA, businesses and organizations can help protect their customers and reduce the risk of fraud. It is important to note that while SCA can increase the security of online transactions, it is not foolproof and there are still steps that customers can take to protect themselves from fraud.

How does Strong Customer Authentication work?

Strong Customer Authentication (SCA) typically involves the use of multiple authentication factors to increase the security of online transactions and reduce the risk of fraud. These factors may include something the customer knows (like a password or PIN), something the customer has (like a smartphone or token), and something the customer is (like a fingerprint or facial recognition).

To complete an online transaction with SCA, the customer will typically be required to provide multiple forms of authentication, such as entering a password and then using a fingerprint scanner or smartphone app to confirm their identity. The specific steps involved in the SCA process can vary depending on the business or organization implementing it and the specific authentication factors being used.

SCA is designed to provide an additional layer of security for online transactions by making it more difficult for fraudsters to access sensitive information or complete unauthorized transactions. By requiring multiple forms of authentication, SCA helps to reduce the risk of fraud and increase the security of online payments.

Overall, the goal of SCA is to provide an additional layer of security for online transactions and to reduce the risk of fraud. By implementing SCA, businesses and organizations can help protect their customers and reduce the risk of financial crimes.

Which merchants and payments does SCA apply to?

Strong Customer Authentication (SCA) is required for certain types of online transactions in the European Union (EU) under the revised Payment Services Directive (PSD2). The aim of these requirements is to improve the security of online payments and reduce the risk of fraud.

SCA applies to online transactions involving a payment service provider (PSP) and a payment service user (PSU) that are located in the EU. It applies to both merchants and payment service providers, and to both card-based and non-card-based payments.

SCA is required for online transactions that involve an electronic payment instrument, such as a credit or debit card, and that meet certain criteria. These criteria include transactions that involve an amount above a certain threshold, transactions that involve a payment service other than the one the customer normally uses, and transactions that involve a PSP or merchant that the customer has not used before.

In general, SCA is required for online transactions that involve a payment service provider and a payment service user located in the EU, and that involve an electronic payment instrument and meet certain criteria. By implementing SCA, merchants and payment service providers can help improve the security of online payments and reduce the risk of fraud.

Is SCA the same as 3-D Secure?

3-D Secure and Strong Customer Authentication (SCA) are both methods used to increase the security of online payments and reduce the risk of fraud. However, they are not the same thing.

3-D Secure is a protocol that was developed by Visa and Mastercard as a way to improve the security of online payments. It is designed to provide an additional layer of security for online transactions by requiring the customer to enter a password or other authentication factor to confirm their identity.

SCA, on the other hand, is a requirement under the revised Payment Services Directive (PSD2) in the European Union (EU) that aims to improve the security of online payments and reduce the risk of fraud. SCA typically involves the use of multiple authentication factors, such as something the customer knows, something the customer has, and something the customer is.

While 3-D Secure and SCA both aim to increase the security of online payments, they are not the same thing. 3-D Secure is a specific protocol developed by Visa and Mastercard, while SCA is a broader requirement under EU law that applies to all payment service providers and merchants in the EU.

Why is Strong Customer Authentication important?

Strong Customer Authentication (SCA) is an important tool for increasing the security of online transactions and reducing the risk of fraud. By requiring the use of multiple authentication factors, SCA helps to make it more difficult for fraudsters to access sensitive information or complete unauthorized transactions.

SCA is particularly important in the context of the revised Payment Services Directive (PSD2) in the European Union (EU), which requires the use of SCA for certain types of online transactions. The aim of these requirements is to improve the security of online payments and reduce the risk of fraud.

By implementing SCA, businesses and organizations can help protect their customers and reduce the risk of financial crimes. It is important to note that while SCA can increase the security of online transactions, it is not foolproof and there are still steps that customers can take to protect themselves from fraud.

Overall, SCA is an important tool for increasing the security of online transactions and reducing the risk of fraud. By requiring the use of multiple authentication factors, SCA helps to make it more difficult for fraudsters to access sensitive information or complete unauthorized transactions.

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