FAQsFAQs

Secure Online Shopping

When can I register for Verified by Visa/MasterCard SecureCode?

You can register as soon as you have received your card by clicking on our online registration link or registering when requested to do so when shopping online..


What is Verified by Visa/MasterCard SecureCode?

Verified by Visa/MasterCard SecureCode is a security standard used for online purchases. It was introduced by Visa and MasterCard to increase security for debit and credit card payments on the Internet.


What was the reason for introducing Verified by Visa/MasterCard SecureCode?

To reduce the risk of using debit and credit cards on the Internet.


Which merchants use Verified by Visa/MasterCard SecureCode?

It is up to the individual merchant to decide whether to use Verified by Visa/MasterCard SecureCode when accepting international debit and credit cards. Details of participating merchants can be found on the Visa and Mastercard websites.


How will I know when to use my Verified by Visa/MasterCard SecureCode?

You will automatically be prompted to enter your Verified by Visa code or MasterCard SecureCode each time you make an online purchase.


Can I register all my Northern Bank cards?

Yes you can register all Northern Bank cards. Each card needs to be registered separately but you can use the same password, personal message, security question and answer if you wish.


New procedure for Verified by Visa/MasterCard SecureCode

Who is behind Verified by Visa/MasterCard SecureCode?

The card companies Visa and MasterCard have developed the new common standard and drawn up the requirements that each country must meet. Northern Bank is responsible for ensuring that, on the basis of your card information and personal details, you alone can make online purchases using Verified by Visa/MasterCard SecureCode.


Security

Can Verified by Visa/MasterCard SecureCode be used fraudulently?

Experience has shown that all payment methods can be used fraudulently, but Verified by Visa/MasterCard SecureCode offers increased security and improved protection against unauthorised use of cards on the Internet.


What benefits does Verified by Visa/MasterCard SecureCode offer cardholders?

Cardholders are offered improved protection against unauthorised use of their cards on the Internet.


How will I know whether a merchant participates in Verified by Visa/MasterCard SecureCode?

Look for the Verified by Visa and MasterCard SecureCode logos. The Verified by Visa logo applies to payments with Visa and Visa Electron cards. The MasterCard SecureCode logo applies to payments with MasterCard and Maestro cards.


Will it be safe enough to buy something from a merchant who does not participate in Verified by Visa/MasterCard SecureCode?

Yes. Even if the merchant only requires you to enter the number, expiry date and card verification value code of your card, the level of security is relatively high.


Why do I now have to remember so many things when shopping online (code, personal greeting and secret question and answer)?

Because the purpose of the standard is to increase security in connection with online purchases and reduce the risk of unauthorised use. The only additional thing you have to do is to remember your code and enter it when making a payment. We have tested the screens for registration and purchasing among potential users to make the payment process as simple and easy to understand as possible.


Creation and change of code (Verified by Visa Code or MasterCard SecureCode), personal greeting and secret question and answer

How do I create a code (Verified by Visa code or MasterCard SecureCode)?

Northern Bank has chosen information for you to use to register for Verified by Visa/MasterCard SecureCode. Which type of information Northern bank has chosen will appear during the registration process.


Where can I create or change my code (Verified by Visa code or MasterCard SecureCode) or my personal greeting?

You can create or change your code, personal greeting or secret question and answer, either during shopping online or on Northern Bank’s website, following the links for Secure Online Shopping.


What should I do if someone learns my personal greeting?

If you suspect that someone has learned your personal greeting, you should change it as soon as possible. You can do so on Northern Bank’s website. Other people cannot make purchases with your card just by using your personal greeting, however.


What should I do if I cannot remember my personal greeting?

You will not be using your personal greeting actively – but it will appear during the payment process. In that way, you can be sure that the payment process is carried out by Northern Bank since no one else knows your personal greeting.


What should I do if someone learns my code (Verfied by Visa code or MasterCard SecureCode)?

If you suspect that someone has learned your code, you should change it as soon as possible. You can do so on the Northern Bank website.


What should I do if I forget my code (Verfied by Visa code or MasterCard SecureCode)?

If you have forgotten your code, you can change it on the Northern Bank website. You can also do so in connection with your next online purchase. Click “Forgot code”, and you will be prompted to answer the secret question you have created. If you provide the correct answer, you can change your code.


If I create a new code (Verified by Visa code or MasterCard SecureCode), for instance, because I cannot remember the old one, will I then have two codes for my card?

No, there cannot be more than one code for one card at a time. If you create a new code, the old one will be cancelled.


How many attempts do I get to provide the correct code (Verified by Visa code or MasterCard SecureCode)?

You have three attempts. After the third wrong attempt you will be logged out of the retailers website. You will then need to contact Northern Bank Card Services to request a password reset.


What is the purpose of the secret question and answer?

If you forget your code (Verified by Visa code or MasterCard SecureCode), you can always change it by entering the correct answer to the secret question. Moreover, other people will not be able to change your code without providing the correct answer.


How do I create a secret question and answer that are secure enough?

You should preferably create a question to which you easily remember the answer, to which the answer will not change over time, to which there are many possible answers, and to which other people cannot figure out the answer. The answer should not consist of more than one word.


Can you provide some examples of appropriate questions?

An appropriate question is a question to which you easily remember the answer and other people cannot figure it out, for instance, “The colour of my first car?”, “Where was I born?”, “The name of my first dog/cat?”.


What should I do if I forget the answer to my secret question?

You have a number of attempts to provide the correct answer. If you fail to provide the correct answer, you will be told to contact Northern Bank Card Services to get the opportunity to change your Verified by Visa code or MasterCard SecureCode. The telephone number to the Bank Card Services will appear from the error message on the screen.


Blocking of cards


Do I have to block my card if I forget my code (Verified by Visa code or MasterCard SecureCode) or personal greeting?

No, you can change your code or personal greeting on the Northern Bank website, or you can do so in connection with your next online purchase. Click “Forgot code”.


Creation of Verified by Visa code or MasterCard SecureCode

Do I have to create a new code (Verified by Visa code or MasterCard SecureCode), personal greeting and secret question and answer if I get a new card?

The code is linked to your card number. If you get a new card with a new card number, you will be required to create a new code, etc. for the new card. If your new card is a replacement, and has the same card number, you do not need to create a new code.




Customer service

Who should I contact if I have any questions?

If you have any general questions about the new security standard, please contact your branch.


Who should I contact if I forget my code (Verfied by Visa code or MasterCard SecureCode)?

If you forget your code, you should not contact your branch. Go to the Northern Bank website instead to change your code. You can do so if you provide the correct answer to your secret question.


Who should I contact if I forget my code (Verfied by Visa code or MasterCard SecureCode) AND the answer to my secret question?

Please contact Northern Bank Card Services if you have forgotten your code and cannot change it because you have forgotten the answer to your secret question.


Excess/loss risk

Will I have to pay an excess if my card is used fraudulently in connection with Verified by Visa/MasterCard SecureCode?

No. If your card is used fraudulently on the Internet, you will be indemnified for any losses you may incur as is already the case.


Changed terms and conditions for merchants

I am a merchant who only requires my customers to enter the number, expiry date and card verification value code of their card to make an online purchase from me with an international debit or credit card. How will I benefit if I participate in Verified by Visa/MasterCard SecureCode?

The risk of fraud is reduced as your customers will have to enter a personal code in addition to their card information. This also means that your business will no longer incur any losses in case of unauthorised use of debit and credit cards.


I already use Verified by Visa/MasterCard SecureCode. Do I have to do something because of the changed procedure?

Your customers will receive all relevant information during the payment process. But if your website features a description of Verified by Visa/MasterCard SecureCode, you may have to change this description.


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