THE TOKENIZATION AND CARD CHARGING PROCESS
What does the tokenization of a card mean?
In the tokenization of a card the card number is stored in some system, that creates a separate identification tag for the card, called a token. The token is given to the web store’s use and it is valid at most for the time that the card is valid.
There are different algorithms and related requirements for the composition of tokens. In Svea Payments’ case no card information can be derived from the token as only the system where the actual card number is stored knows which token is related to which card.
Svea Payments utilizes its technical card payment processor’s (Payment Highway) tokenization service and card database that is used to store the card information of customers that have registered in the seller’s online service. If the tokenization service has been activated for the seller, card information can be stored when a payment is made on the payment form or the card can be registered without making an actual purchase at the same time.
If the card information is stored in connection with a purchase, 3D Secure authentication must be done if the card is to be used in recurring payments in the future. When the information is stored, the card database creates an individual identification tag (token) that is connected to the card number and then this token is passed on to the web store.
For the time being the supported uses of tokens are ”no-click” type card charge and recurring payments where the card is charged in a recurring fashion based on the request of the web store, without participation from the buyer. The web store passes on the charge request to Svea Payments’ payment interface and Svea Payments responds directly to the web store whether the charging of the card was successful or not.
If the charging of the card with the token succeeds, a separate payment event is created in Svea Payments’ system. All the tasks that can be done with other card payments in the same service, can also be done with this new payment event.
The token that enables the charging of the card is valid at most for the time that the card is valid. After that the card must be tokenized again, i.e. a new tokenization request must be made where the buyer is authenticated and the card is tokenized.
Tokenization and charges in connection to purchases (not recurring payments)
Phases of the process:
The web store informs the cardholder before payment or registration of the card that the card number will be stored for future payments. The buyer needs to accept this.
The registration of the card is performed:
a. Payment + registration: The cardholder makes a payment with the card and 3DS authentication through for example the bank’s identification service is carried out. The card will also be registered for recurring payments.
b. OR only registration: The cardholder registers the card that also includes 3DS authentication for example through the bank’s identification service.
An individual identification tag (token) is created for the successful registration of a card, which Svea Payments then passes on in the response message to the web store.
The web store saves the token information and attaches it to the registered customer’s information.
The web store can charge the card with the saved token when the customer/cardholder makes a purchase.
In case the seller tokenizes a card for automatic, for example monthly, recurring payments, there are certain special terms related to the tokenization and charging of the card:
the cardholder accepts the recurring payments contract between the cardholder and the seller before the tokenization and in this way gives the seller permission to charge the card in certain intervals
the seller sends the cardholder a verification of the contract
before every charge from the card the seller sends the cardholder a confirmation of an upcoming payment beforehand
Phases of the process:
The web store shows the buyer the terms and conditions of recurring payments which the cardholder needs to accept before payment.
The registration of the card is performed:
a. Payment + registration: The cardholder makes a payment with the card and 3DS authentication through for example the bank’s identification service is carried out. The card will also be registered for recurring payments.
b. OR only registration: The cardholder registers the card that also includes 3DS authentication for example through the bank’s identification service.
An individual identification tag (token) is created for the successful registration of a card, which Svea Payments then passes on in the response message to the web store.
The web store saves the token information and attaches it to the registered customer’s information.
The web store sends the cardholder a confirmation email. The email needs to include the following information:
the text ”recurring charging of card”
the amount to be charged
how often the card will be charged
how long the contract for recurring payments is valid
if the amount to be charged is always the same fixed amount or whether it may vary
Always before charging the card, the web store will send a confirmation to the buyer in advance, through which the web store informs its customer of an upcoming charge (amount and date). In principle, there can be a maximum of one charge on the card per month and the recurring charge can not exceed the amount of the original payment.
The customer shall have the opportunity to cancel an upcoming or already made recurring charge.
Terms & Conditions and contract
Check Svea Payments’ and card companies’ terms and conditions related to recurring payments before taking the service in use. Pay special attention to chapter 5.3 in the document: https://www.bambora.com/globalassets/en/documents/english-version-new-general-terms-and-conditions/euroline---card-not-present-instructions-sv-eng-may-2015.pdf
The tokenization service and recurring payments will be added to the agreement between the web store and Svea Payments.
INTEGRATION OF INTERFACES AND TESTING
Registration of card (zero sum tokenization)