Security and Trust Questions

How safe is PayFast? Get your security questions answered here.

• What is 3D Secure (Visa Secure / MasterCard SecureCode)?

  3D Secure is a technical standard created by Visa and MasterCard to further secure CNP (Card-holder Not Present) transactions over the Internet. MasterCard brands their system as 'MasterCard SecureCod...

• Does PayFast use 3D Secure (Visa Secure / MasterCard Securecode)?

  Yes, we make use of 3D Secure for credit card transactions. PASA has mandated that 3D Secure is implemented on all online credit card transactions (known as CNP or card not present), as of February 28...

• How do I register for 3D Secure?

  Registering for 3D Secure before checkout: Registering for 3D Secure during checkout: The links to the various banks to activate 3D secure are below: Absa Capitec  FNB (PDF document) Nedbank - your Ne...

• How does 3D Secure work?

  To explain how 3D Secure (aka Visa Secure / MasterCard Secure Code / Amex SafeKey) works we will compare a regular, non 3D Secure credit card payment with a 3D Secure credit card payment. Non 3D Secur...

• What does 3D Secure mean?

  The term 3D Secure comes from Three Domain Security. This is due to the fact that there are 3 domains involved in the 3D Secure process: Issuer Domain, Interoperability Domain and Acquirer Domain. The...

• Password Safety

  The password you have nominated for your account is not secure and has been found on public data breach registries. This breach has not occurred from PayFast To check if your password has been comprom...

• How does 3D Secure affect international card holders?

  In order to fully answer this question, context about 3D Secure in the world needs to be explained. Worldwide standard 3D Secure is not unique to South Africa and is a system in use throughout the wor...

• Are you a registered Financial Services Provider (FSP)?

  Due to the nature of our business, we are not required to register as an FSP. We do however comply with the regulations set forth by the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) and the Payments Association ...

• How safe are my details (e.g. bank details) which I provide to PayFast?

  In short, very safe! Security is one of our top priorities and one of the areas where we feel a lot of merchants and existing payment processors are lacking. We make every effort to ensure the securit...

• Suspicious emails (phishing scams)

  Phishing scams happen when a fraudster contacts you, claiming to be a representative of PayFast or you receive fake automated system messages which appear as if they were sent by our system.  The goal...