Learn more about
MasterCard® SecureCodeTM. You can use the links below to
jump to specific topics, or scroll down the page to read the full list of
questions and answers.
About
SecureCode
Q: What is MasterCard SecureCode?
A: MasterCard SecureCode is a service from MasterCard® and
your card issuer that provides greater peace of mind when you shop online by
providing added protection against unauthorized use of your enrolled card.
Q: How does MasterCard SecureCode
work?
A: Once you've registered and created a SecureCodeTM, each
time you make an online purchase, a window will pop up asking for your
SecureCode, just like using a PIN at the ATM. When you correctly enter your
SecureCode, your card issuer confirms that you are the authorized cardholder
and your purchase is completed. No code, no confirmation, no purchase.
Q: Is MasterCard SecureCode easy to
use?
A: Yes. When you make an online purchase, a window from your card
issuer will pop up and prompt you for your SecureCode. After reviewing the
details of your purchase and confirming that your Personal Greeting is
correct, simply enter your SecureCode to complete your purchase.
Q: Where can I shop with MasterCard
Secure Code?
A: To view a list of participating merchants,click
here.
Q: What are the system requirements
for MasterCard SecureCode?
A: MasterCard SecureCode requires the use of Microsoft Internet
Explorer version 5.0 and above, Netscape Navigator 4.0 and above, or America
Online 4.0 and above. In addition, you should disable any software that
prevents pop-up windows as this will interfere with your use of SecureCode.
Q: Can I use MasterCard SecureCode
from any computer?
A: Because there's no special software to install, you can shop from
any computer meeting the system requirements outlined above and still receive
the added protection afforded by MasterCard SecureCode.
Q: What happens when my card expires
or my billing information changes?
A: Your card issuer will automatically update this information in your
profile.
Q: What happens if I cancel my
existing card then get a new one with a different account number?
A: You will need to register the new card for MasterCard SecureCode.
Simply return to the registration site, and complete the registration process
with your new card.
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Registering for SecureCode
Q: What cards can I register with MasterCard SecureCode?
A: You can register any of your existing MasterCard cards, credit or
debit, as long as they are issued by a participating issuer. To check whether
your card issuer is participating, click here.
Q: How many cards can I register
with MasterCard SecureCode?
A: We encourage you to register all of your MasterCard cards. There is
no limit to how many cards you can register.
Q: Can two people with a joint
account use the same SecureCode or should they register MasterCard SecureCode
separately?
A: Individuals sharing a card number are encouraged to register
separately and create their own SecureCode.However, depending on the information needed for registration, the
secondary cardholder may need to use the personal data of the primary
cardholder to register. Please follow
the enrollment instructions on the enrollment screens.
Q: Why do I have to supply personal
information during registration?
A: The information you provide is checked against the information that
your card issuer has on file. This is done as a security precaution to be
sure that the person registering is the real cardholder. For further
security, we also ask for the Signature Panel Code number to be sure you have
physical possession of the card that is being enrolled.
Q: Why do I have to enter all of my
personal information again when I enroll a second card?
A: All of the information you provide is checked against the
information that your card issuer has on file. You are asked to enter the
information again when you enroll a second card for your own protection. That
way, the card issuer can be sure the real cardholder is registering the card.
Q: Can I create the same SecureCode
for all of my cards?
A: Yes, however we recommend each MasterCard card have its own
SecureCode so it is protected individually. We recommend that you select a
SecureCode that will be easy for you to remember, but difficult for others to
guess.
Q: What is a Personal Greeting?
A: The Personal Greeting is a message that you create during
registration. Once you've completed your registration, each time you make an
online purchase, a small window will pop up and ask you to enter your
SecureCode. In this window, you'll see your Personal Greeting. The Personal
Greeting is your assurance that you are communicating with, and submitting
your SecureCode to, your card issuer. If the Personal Greeting displayed in
the pop-up window is incorrect, you should not enter your SecureCode, but
should instead contact Customer Service immediately by calling the phone
number on the back of your MasterCard card.
Q: What is the Signature Panel Code?
A: The Signature Panel Code is the last three digits that appear on
the back of your card, on the signature panel. We ask for this information as
an extra security feature to be sure that you have physical possession of the
card being registered.
Q: What do I do if I have questions
during the registration process?
A: If you have questions, or need assistance during the registration
process, you should contact Customer Service.
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Shopping with MasterCard SecureCode
Q: How do I use my SecureCode?
A: When you make a purchase at a participating merchant, a window will
pop up requesting your SecureCode. After reviewing the details of your
purchase and confirming that your Personal Greeting is correct, simply enter
your SecureCode to complete your purchase.
Q: Where can I shop with MasterCard
SecureCode?
A: To view a list of participating merchants, click
here.
Q: Can I start shopping with my
SecureCode as soon as I register?
A: Yes. You can begin using your SecureCode immediately after
completing your registration; no waiting period is necessary.
Q: What should I do if I purchase
online but no SecureCode request window appears?
A: You should do the following:
- Make sure you are using your enrolled card.
- Make sure the merchant is participating.
- Be sure you have disabled any pop-up stopping
software on your system.
- Contact customer service after double-checking
the above items.
Q: Can I make purchases at merchants
that do not participate in the MasterCard SecureCode service?
A: Yes, but you will not be asked for your SecureCode at these
merchants. To complete your purchase, simply follow the traditional checkout
process.
Q: How will the online merchant know
that my card is protected by MasterCard SecureCode?
A: When you shop at participating online merchants, using a card you
have enrolled in MasterCard SecureCode , your MasterCard card number is
automatically recognized, resulting in the pop up window that asks for your
SecureCode.
Q: I forgot my password. What should
I do?
A: You should return to the registration site, click on the
"Forgot SecureCode" link, and follow the subsequent instructions.
Q: What if my Personal Greeting is
missing or incorrect?
A: If your Personal Greeting is missing from the SecureCode request box,
or if an incorrect Personal Greeting is displayed, you should not submit your
SecureCode, but should instead contact customer service.
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Account Assistant
Q: What does the Account Assistant feature do?
A: The Account Assistant feature allows you to change your SecureCode,
Personal Greeting and email address (varies per card Issuer). Additionally,
you can remove the SecureCode feature from your card.
Q: How do I access the Account
Assistant?
A: Simply return to the web site where you registered and click on
"Login". You will be asked to enter your card number and SecureCode
to login. (We ask for both items for additional security). You may want to
bookmark this web site for future use.
Q: What if I've forgotten my SecureCode and am unable to login?
A: You should return to the registration site, click on the
"Forgot SecureCode" link, and follow the subsequent instructions to
re-enroll your card and replace your previous SecureCode.
Q: How do I change my SecureCode?
A: Access the Account Assistant feature by returning to the
registration site and clicking on the "Login" button. You can then
change your SecureCode to anything you want as long as it meets your Issuers
SecureCode configuration, contains no spaces and is different from your
Personal Greeting.
Q: How do I change my Personal
Greeting?
A: Access the Account Assistant feature by returning to the
registration site and clicking on the "Login" button. You can then
change your Personal Greeting to anything you want as long as it is between 1
and 30 characters and is different from your SecureCode.
Q: How can I deactivate the
SecureCode feature?
A: Access the Account Assistant feature by returning to the
registration site and clicking on the "Login" button. You can then
remove the SecureCode feature from your card.
Q: How can I reactivate the
SecureCode feature?
A: Simply return to the registration site and re-register. Please
note, you will have to create a SecureCode that is different from your
original SecureCode.
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Security and Privacy
Q: How does MasterCard SecureCode
protect me?
A: Once you've registered and created a SecureCode, each time you make
an online purchase, a window will pop up asking for your SecureCode, like
using a PIN at the ATM. When you correctly enter your SecureCode, you confirm
that you are the authorized cardholder and your purchase is completed. If the
correct code is not supplied, your card issuer cannot confirm your identity
and the purchase will not be completed. No code, no confirmation, no
purchase.
Q: Aren't I already protected by
zero liability?
A: If your MasterCard card is issued in the United States, then it
will have zero liability as one of its features. But even if you already have
this protection, MasterCard SecureCode will save you from the hassle of
disputing a charge that isn't yours, saving you time and aggravation.
MasterCard SecureCode provides added protection and peace of mind above and
beyond zero liability.
Q: Why do I have to supply my
personal information during registration?
A: The information you provide is checked against the information that
your card issuer has on file. This is done as a security precaution to be
sure that the person registering is the real cardholder. For further
security, we also ask for the Signature Panel Code number to be sure you have
physical possession of the card that is being enrolled.
Q: Why do I have to enter all of my
personal information again when I enroll a second card?
A: You are asked to enter the information again when you enroll a
second card for your own protection. All of the information you provide is
checked against the information that your card issuer has on file for you.
That way, the card issuer can be sure the real cardholder is registering the
card.
Q: How will the online merchant know
that my card is protected by MasterCard SecureCode?
A: When you use a card you have enrolled in MasterCard SecureCode at
participating online merchants, your MasterCard card number is automatically
recognized resulting in the pop up window that asks for your SecureCode.
Q: Does the service use cookies?
A: No. The MasterCard SecureCode service does not use cookies that are
stored on your desktop. Instead, the software uses "session
cookies" which are temporarily stored on your desktop and immediately
(and automatically) deleted when you go offline.
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How to
Cancel
Q: How can I cancel my SecureCode enrollment?
A: To cancel your SecureCode registration, return to the registration
site, click on the Account Assistant feature and then follow the direction to
cancel/deactivate your enrollment. However, if you visit a merchant site that is using MasterCard
SecureCode you may be asked to re-enroll prior to completing your purchase.
Q: Can I later re-enroll?
A: Yes, simply complete the registration process again and your
SecureCode account will be re-activated. However, the new SecureCode you
create must be different from your original SecureCode.
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