What is Online Purchase Authentication?
To keep your account safe and ensure your credit card information is always protected, you may receive a one-time passcode to authenticate your online purchase to protect yourself from fraud.
Online Purchase Authentication is an additional layer of security added to your Vancity enviro™ Visa* cards. This service automatically monitors account activity and flags potentially suspicious transactions to ensure that you can shop online safely.
Why do we have Online Purchase Authentication in place?
Internet fraud and identify theft are the two most common threats online. Internet fraud occurs when your credit card information is compromised and is used for purchasing online. Identity theft happens when personal information is compromised, and you’re tricked into giving out this information. It allows fraudsters to steal your personal information and make purchases or apply for a credit card or loan. Additional security measures, like Online Purchase Authentication, are how we’re doing our part to keep your credit card information safe.
Here’s how it works.
Next time you’re shopping online, you may encounter an Online Purchase Authentication prompt during the checkout process. Before completing your purchase, you’ll be asked to verify your transaction by entering a one-time passcode, received via text or email.
This is how your online shopping journey will work:
- At checkout: An Online Purchase Authentication screen may appear asking you to verify your purchase with a one-time passcode.
- Retrieve your code: You will receive a 6-digit one-time passcode through email or text, depending on your preferred contact method. Remember not to share this code with anyone.
- Enter your code: Input your passcode when prompted to complete the transaction. You can now complete your online order.
Here’s what our Online Purchase Authentications look like:
You will receive this message to authenticate your online purchase, as shown in the image below:
Here’s what it looks like if you chose to receive your one-time passcode via text:
This is how you’ll receive your one-time passcode via email:
Benefits of Online Purchase Authentication:
- Convenient: You can receive one-time passcodes—anytime and anywhere—to notify you of suspicious activity.
- Safe: If we do not receive a response, or an incorrect code is entered multiple times, your card will be blocked. You will then have to contact Card Services at 604-676-8434, or toll-free 1-833-470-8434, so we can investigate and file a fraud report.
- Peace of Mind: We’re adding an extra layer of security so you can have the confidence to shop online knowing your transactions are secure.
- Easy: You can easily authenticate your online transaction via text or email making the authentication process quick and straightforward.
Protect yourself from fraud.
Scammers are getting more creative every day. We understand it can be difficult to determine when a message from Vancity is legitimate. But here are some helpful tips:
- Vancity will never direct you to suspicious, unassociated websites that ask for your personal banking password, CVV, Visa* number, expiry date, or one-time passcodes.
- If in doubt, please call us using the number on the back of your credit card.
- Visit our blog for more information on how to keep your account safe: vancity.com/CreditCardFraud.
Online Purchase Authentication FAQ
No, you won’t need to authenticate all online purchases.
Primary cardholders, account administrators, and/or authorized users who have a US or Canadian phone number will receive notifications via text or email, as long as their contact information on file is up to date. Cardholders with international phone numbers will not receive a text notification.
Online Purchase Authentication messages will always include the following information:
- A 6-digit one-time passcode.
- The transaction amount.
- The transaction currency.
- Merchant name.
For text messages you will receive a text from 1-833-861-0264. For email, you will receive an email from notifications.vcib.ca or notifications.vancity.com.
You will have 5 minutes to enter the one-time passcode before it expires. After this period, you must request a new one.
Your card will be blocked after multiple failed attempts. You will have to call Card Services at 604-676-8434, or toll free 1-833-470-8434, so we can discuss your options and investigate further.
You cannot opt out, but you can choose not to receive one-time passcodes. Keep in mind, this does not mean all online transactions will automatically go through—in this case, you may have to call Card Services to unblock your card if you receive an Online Purchase Authentication prompt.
Check your junk or spam folder. If the email ends up there, make sure to mark us as a trusted sender so future emails appear in your inbox instead.
We don’t charge fees to authenticate your purchase. However, please check with your wireless carrier as they may charge you for sending/receiving text messages and data usage.
Receiving Online Purchase Authentications while travelling depends on your phone’s carrier plan.
If you can receive text messages while travelling, then you should be able to continue receiving Online Purchase Authentications.
If you can’t receive text messages while travelling, you can choose to receive one-time passcodes through email. Please ensure that we have the correct email information on file.
