From time to time, we may need to update your card machine settings. This ensures you meet the latest security requirements.
As part of an upcoming update, your card machine may prompt you to set a payment referral code. This code adds an extra layer of security to payment referrals and is aimed at reducing card fraud.
What is a payment referral?
If a cardholder tries to make a payment that isn’t in line with their normal spending (e.g it exceeds their daily limit), your card machine will prompt you to call the cardholder’s bank to verify the payment. The bank will ask you a series of questions to make sure that the cardholder matches the card. If approved, they will provide you with an authorisation code to enter on the card machine to finalise the transaction.
What is a payment referral code?
Next time a payment is referred to the cardholder’s bank. you will need to enter a pre-set referral code before you’re able to input the authorisation code and finalise the transaction. This adds an extra layer of security, and will help stop transactions being forced through.
What do I need to do?
Please always keep your card machine switched on and plugged in. This makes sure it receives important software updates.
Ingenico card machines
The next time your card machine updates it will print out a receipt with instructions on how to set a referral code.
Spire card machines
You will be prompted to set a referral code the next time you use your card machine. We recommend setting your referral code to be the same as your supervisor code. Make sure you only share it with staff on a need-to-know basis.
Why do I need a payment referral code?
There have been reports of fraudsters tampering with card machines whilst the business has been on the phone to the cardholder’s bank in an attempt to push the payment through.
A payment referral code adds an extra level of security to prevent card fraud.