MasterCard® SecureCodeTM FAQs
Learn more about MasterCard SecureCode. 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
Registering for SecureCode
Shopping with SecureCode
Account Management
Security and Privacy
How to Cancel
About SecureCode
How does MasterCard SecureCode work?
Is MasterCard SecureCode easy to use?
Where can I shop with MasterCard Secure Code?
What are the system requirements for MasterCard SecureCode?
Can I use MasterCard SecureCode from any computer?
What happens when my card expires or my billing information changes?
What happens if I cancel my existing card then get a new one with a different
account number?
How does MasterCard SecureCode work?
Once you've registered and created a SecureCode, 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.
TOP
Is MasterCard SecureCode easy to use?
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.
TOP
Where can I shop with MasterCard Secure
Code?
To view a list of participating merchants,
click here.
TOP
What are the system requirements for
MasterCard SecureCode?
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.
TOP
Can I use MasterCard SecureCode from
any computer?
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.
TOP
What happens when my card expires
or my billing information changes?
Your card issuer will automatically update this information in your profile.
TOP
What happens if I cancel my existing
card then get a new one with a different account number?
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.
TOP
Registering for SecureCode
What cards can I register with MasterCard SecureCode?
How many cards can I register with MasterCard SecureCode?
Can two people with a joint account use the same SecureCode or should
they register MasterCard SecureCode separately?
Why do I have to supply personal information during registration?
Why do I have to enter all of my personal information again when I enroll
a second card?
Can I create the same SecureCode for all of my cards?
What is a Personal Greeting?
What is the Signature Panel Code?
What do I do if I have questions during the registration process?
What cards can I register with MasterCard SecureCode?
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.
TOP
How many cards can I register with MasterCard SecureCode?
We encourage you to register all of your MasterCard cards. There is no limit to
how many cards you can register.
TOP
Can two people with a joint account use the same SecureCode or
should they register MasterCard SecureCode separately?
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.
TOP
Why do I have to supply personal information during registration?
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.
TOP
Why do I have to enter all of my personal information again when
I enroll a second card?
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.
TOP
Can I create the same SecureCode for all of my cards?
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.
TOP
What is a Personal Greeting?
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.
TOP
What is the Signature Panel Code?
The Signature Panel Code is the last three digits that appear on the back of your
card. We ask for this information as an extra security feature to be sure that you
have physical possession of the card being registered.
TOP
What do I do if I have questions during the registration process?
If you have questions, or need assistance during the registration process, you should
contact Customer Service.
TOP
Shopping with MasterCard SecureCode
How do I use my SecureCode?
Where can I shop with MasterCard SecureCode?
Can I start shopping with my SecureCode as soon as I register?
What should I do if I purchase online but no SecureCode request window
appears?
Can I make purchases at merchants that do not participate in the MasterCard
SecureCode service?
How will the online merchant know that my card is protected by MasterCard
SecureCode?
I forgot my SecureCode. What should I do?
What if my Personal Greeting is missing or incorrect?
How do I use my SecureCode?
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.
TOP
Where can I shop with MasterCard SecureCode?
To view a list of participating merchants,
click here.
TOP
Can I start shopping with my SecureCode as soon as I register?
Yes. You can begin using your SecureCode immediately after completing your registration;
no waiting period is necessary.
TOP
What should I do if I purchase online but no SecureCode request
window appears?
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.
TOP
Can I make purchases at merchants that do not participate in the
MasterCard SecureCode service?
Yes, but you will not be asked for your SecureCode at these merchants. To complete
your purchase, simply follow the traditional checkout process.
TOP
How will the online merchant know that my card is protected by
MasterCard SecureCode?
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.
TOP
I forgot my SecureCode. What should I do?
You should return to the registration site, click on the "Forgot SecureCode" link,
and follow the subsequent instructions.
TOP
What if my Personal Greeting is missing or incorrect?
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.
TOP
Account Assistant
What does the Account Assistant feature do?
How do I access the Account Assistant?
What if I've forgotten my SecureCode and am unable to log in?
How do I change my SecureCode?
How do I change my Personal Greeting?
How can I deactivate the SecureCode feature?
How can I reactivate the SecureCode feature?
What does the Account Assistant feature do?
The Account Assistant feature allows you to change your SecureCode, Personal Greeting
and e-mail address (varies per card Issuer). Additionally, you can remove the SecureCode
feature from your card.
TOP
How do I access the Account Assistant?
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.
TOP
What if I've forgotten my SecureCode and am unable to log in?
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.
TOP
How do I change my SecureCode?
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.
TOP
How do I change my Personal Greeting?
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.
TOP
How can I deactivate the SecureCode feature?
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.
TOP
How can I reactivate the SecureCode feature?
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.
TOP
Security and Privacy
How does MasterCard SecureCode protect me?
Aren't I already protected by zero liability?
Why do I have to supply my personal information during registration?
Why do I have to enter all of my personal information again when I enroll
a second card?
How will the online merchant know that my card is protected by MasterCard
SecureCode?
Does the service use cookies?
How does MasterCard SecureCode protect me?
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.
TOP
Aren't I already protected by zero liability?
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.
TOP
Why do I have to supply my personal information during registration?
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.
TOP
Why do I have to enter all of my personal information again when
I enroll a second card?
When you enroll a second card you are asked to enter the information again 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.
TOP
How will the online merchant know that my card is protected by
MasterCard SecureCode?
When you shop at participating online merchants, using MasterCard SecureCode, your
MasterCard number is automatically recognized resulting in the pop-up window that
asks for your SecureCode.
TOP
Does the service use cookies?
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.
TOP
How to Cancel
How can I cancel my SecureCode enrollment?
Can I later re-enroll?
How can I cancel my SecureCode enrollment?
To cancel your SecureCode registration, return to the registration site, click on
the Account Assistant feature and then follow the directions 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.
TOP
Can I later re-enroll?
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.
TOP