Stripe US: 3DS

3D Secure (3DS) is an additional authentication layer used during online purchases. This article explains how 3DS works with Emburse Cards and how it impacts chargebacks and liability.

What 3DS Is

3DS adds an extra step to verify the cardholder’s identity during checkout.

3DS is a security protocol used by some online merchants to confirm that a purchase is made by the legitimate cardholder. At checkout, the cardholder may be redirected to an authentication page and prompted to enter a verification code sent to their phone.

Emburse Cards are enrolled in 3DS through our processor, Stripe. 3DS is triggered only for online transactions when the merchant supports it.

Only cards that are assigned to an Emburse Cards user have 3DS protection.

Liability Shift

3DS enrollment affects who is responsible for fraudulent transactions.

Only cards that are assigned to a user are covered by 3DS verification. Cards that remain unassigned are not protected by 3DS.

If a card is unassigned and a merchant supports 3DS, the lack of cardholder enrollment can result in a lost chargeback due to liability shift rules.

Chargeback Impact

3DS enrollment determines the outcome of certain chargeback disputes.

If a merchant is enrolled in 3DS but the card is not assigned to a user, a liability shift may apply. In this case, a chargeback initiated on that transaction may be lost.

To reduce risk, assign all newly created cards to a user. For instructions, see How to Create and Assign Cards.

If fraud occurs with a merchant that is not enrolled in 3DS, the transaction follows the standard chargeback process, even if the card is unassigned.