Safe cards and digital paymentsStep 1 of 6
How card payments work
You tap your card and two seconds later it says "Approved". Who takes part in that payment, and what is the 3D Secure code for?
One payment, five participants
On her way to work, Aysel buys a coffee at MegaMarket. She taps her card on the terminal, the screen says "Approved", and that's it.
But in those two seconds several organisations talk to each other behind the scenes: Aysel's bank, the shop's bank and the payment system.
Why does this matter?
If you understand how a payment travels, you spot a scammer's lie faster. For example, anyone who says "the shop needs to check your PIN" is either mistaken or lying.