3D Secure is an identity authentication service that prevents fraudulent use, such as “spoofing,” when making online credit card transactions. 3D Secure verification often requires users to enter a password when paying.

However, some payment cards might cause failures during authentication. If the merchant has not registered for 3D Secure, you could experience these errors. Still, it’s also important for cardholders to check whether their cards are registered and set up for it to shop safely online.

This article explains how to register for 3D Secure authentication and provides an example of how to set it up.

What’s in this article?

• How to register for 3D Secure authentication
  
• 3D Secure registration pages by credit card company
  
• Extra measures to prevent unauthorized use
  
• Frequently asked questions about registering for 3D Secure
  
• Prevent fraud by understanding 3D Secure authentication
  

How to register for 3D Secure authentication

The sign-up process for 3D Secure varies slightly between issuers. Still, it’s becoming more common to be automatically enabled when you register and log in to your online account with your credit card company.

The main setup procedure for 3D Secure is simple, and you can complete it in just three steps:

1. Log in through your credit card company’s page
   
2. Go to settings screen for the identity authentication service
   
3. Register for 3D Secure authentication
   
   • Registering passwords (e.g., personal messages) for 3D Secure checks
     
   • Requesting a one-time password
     
   • Registering for a one-time password app
     

As an example, let’s walk through the process of registering for one-time verification using the cardholder app.

Log in to your member account through the app to use 3D Secure authentication and link it with your profile. Each time you make a card payment on an ecommerce site, you need to receive an authorization request on your phone, and you can authenticate your transaction instantly with a single touch in the app.

Step 1: Download the app and log in to your account

First, log in to your account by entering your ID and password from the app downloaded to your phone. The first time you log in, you must authenticate using a one-time password.

Step 2: Go to the settings screen for the identity authentication service

After logging in, the app will redirect you to the “Identity authentication service settings” screen and registration section.

Step 3: Enabling identity authentication by app

Turn “Identity authentication using apps” on. Please note that when setting this up for the first time, you must agree to the 3D Secure terms of use.

Once you’ve completed the setup procedure, you can authenticate via the app the next time you use that ecommerce site.

3D Secure registration pages by credit card company

Below are a few credit card companies’ information pages on 3D Secure registration:

• American Express
  
• JCB
  
• DC Card
  

Extra measures to prevent unauthorized use

Using 3D Secure authentication for remote transactions is a key anti-fraud measure. Still, relying on this alone might not be enough to prevent unauthorized activity, which is becoming increasingly sophisticated. According to statistics from the Japan Consumer Credit Association, the loss from illicit use in 2023 was approximately ¥54.1 billion, suggesting that the damage continues to climb.

Below are some steps cardholders can take to mitigate fraudulent activity:

Avoid IDs and passwords that are short or easy to guess

Ecommerce web operators have recommended that customers use longer, more complex passwords. It’s also important to avoid sharing IDs and passwords with others.
Check your credit card statement regularly

If you see an ecommerce site you rarely use on your statement, someone could have used your card illicitly. That said, for webpages you frequent, such as online supermarkets, you might find it difficult to determine if there have been any suspicious purchases. We recommend periodically checking your credit card statement and purchase history to avoid this.

Always sign the back of your credit card

Signing the back of your card is a basic but key security step. For instance, if you lose your credit card, and it is in the possession of an unknown third party, and the signature on the back is blank, anyone can freely sign it and use it to impersonate you. If you see bogus charges on your unsigned card, there is a risk that you will not be able to seek compensation. Usually, when a credit card is unauthorized, your issuer will reimburse for the fraudulent amount. However, this is often impossible if the cardholder violates the terms and conditions or the unauthorized use is intentional or negligent. Companies typically require you to sign the back of your credit card in the agreement. This means that the owner might not be eligible for compensation, regardless if someone else misuses it.

Don’t make credit card payments using a device shared with others

Avoid using shared computers in hotel lobbies or universities to make credit card transactions. Some public places with computers could have poor device security, so 100% safety when browsing or shopping online cannot be guaranteed. Similarly, exercise caution when using public Wi-Fi.

Take care to avoid anyone seeing your screen when outside your home

Suppose you type in a card number on an ecommerce site while in a public place. There is a risk that someone might view your screen or steal your card. It’s best to avoid shopping online where unfamiliar people gather, such as coworking spaces and other public facilities and cafes.

Reduce your risk by avoiding entering your personal data in busy public places.

Verify the website supports SSL encryption

Check websites’ security to avoid becoming a victim of phishing.

Ecommerce sites typically have appropriate safeguards to ensure a safe shopping experience. Check that the URL of the payment page starts with “https”. The key point is the “s” following “http,” which allows you to confirm whether the webpage supports SSL (Secure Sockets Layer), technology that encrypts data sent and received over the internet. Knowing that a site supports SSL allows users to shop more confidently, knowing their personal information remains secure and protected.

Frequently asked questions about registering for 3D Secure

Is there a way to check if I’m registered for 3D Secure?

Although each credit card provider has its method for checking whether a customer is already registered for 3D Secure, users can log in to their account on the issuer’s website and check identity authentication from the settings page, typically titled “3D Secure registration status.”

When will 3D Secure become mandatory?

The Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) announced that it will make 3D Secure 2.0 mandatory by the end of March 2025. In principle, this requires all ecommerce merchants to implement 3D Secure 2.0.

What happens if I don’t register for 3D Secure?

If you haven’t completed registration for 3D Secure protection, you might find you cannot use your credit card when making online purchases. If the error message “3D Secure Authentication Failed” appears on the payment screen, you need to check your settings in your account on your card issuer’s website. We also recommend checking to see if your credit card supports 3D Secure services.

Prevent fraud by understanding 3D Secure authentication

In this article, we explain how to register for 3D Secure and what other steps you can take to prevent unauthorized use of your credit card. Card payment is a post-pay method in which only the cardholder who has cleared the screening criteria can use the system. This is why it’s important to safeguard against prohibited activity by a third party, such as by checking the security of webpages and using ecommerce sites in a safe location when making non-face-to-face card payments.

For customers to safely enjoy online shopping with their credit cards, it’s up to both site users and operators to take anti-fraud protocols, such as introducing scam detection systems. Stripe complies with international security standards PCI DSS and takes thorough protective measures for personal and transaction information, including data encryption (SSL/TLS technology) to prevent unauthorized access.

In addition, Stripe offers functions to improve the efficiency of payment-related back-office operations, including integrating and configuring pay methods, information processing, and revenue management. Stripe Payments for example can meet a wide range of ecommerce transaction needs on a single platform, allowing each company to create a payment environment that matches its strategy without developing its own system.