New Strong Customer Authentication rules change UK online shopping game

UK consumers can expect changes in the way they shop online from today, a result of new Strong Customer Authentication (SCA) requirements.

These will change how Brits confirm their identity when making online purchases.   

While SCA rules have applied to a small number of transactions for some time, the proportion has been steadily increasing since the start of this year as merchants and payment service providers (PSPs) readied to meet the enforcement date, when all transactions must be SCA compliant. 

Today’s deadline comes almost three years after the SCA requirements were announced in September 2019. 

As increasing amounts of purchases are being made digitally, it is hoped the move will help reduce fraud and better protect customers and their money when shopping online. 

Customers will now be asked to prove their identity when making a purchase, by confirming two of the following three ‘factors’: Something they are – like a fingerprint or facial ID; Something they know – like a passcode or password; Something they have – like a mobile phone.

In practice, this could mean customers are asked to verify a purchase via text message, receiving a passcode which they are then prompted to enter on screen.

Other confirmations could include answering an automated phone call to your landline or mobile, or through an app on your smartphone.  

Some types of transactions are exempt from strong customer authentication, meaning customers may not always be asked to complete extra security steps. These may be purchases deemed ‘low-risk’ of fraudulent activity, such as when buying low-cost items, or repeated purchases such as subscriptions. 

Retailers have been preparing their systems for many months to process these extra security checks, according to the BRC. Successful roll-out of the new regulations will also require banks to play their part, it adds.

Tom Ironside, Director of Business & Regulation at the BRC, says:  “Retailers have been working hard to prepare for the Strong Customer Authentication requirements, ensuring online purchases are both as safe and easy as possible.”

“The BRC and our members have worked with suppliers to ensure multiple fraud checks are performed behind the scenes and any additional friction is kept to a minimum. Customers should be reassured that buying online has never been safer.”

Online retailStaff WriterStrong Customer Authentication, SCA rules, Payments, Online retail, BRC, PSPs, Compliance, RegulationsComment