Credit Card
What Is SAFE (System to Avoid Fraud Effectively)?
SAFE, short for System to Avoid Fraud Effectively, refers to fraud records created by issuing banks. Fraud records sent in the Mastercard clearing format fall under the SAFE category.
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"Data Formats"
44 articles found
ISO 8583
ISO 8583 Field Descriptions (F52)
DE 52 — Personal Identification Number (PIN) Data: the field that holds the PIN data. PIN verification is carried out based on this field.
Merchant & POS
What Is the EMVCo QR Standard?
QR code payments are growing, but without a common QR structure each code only works locally. EMVCo published a standard QR data structure so all payment schemes can share one QR code format at merchants.
Merchant & POS
What is AFL (Application File Locator)?
AFL (Application File Locator) is the field that shows where on the card the data needed for the authorization transaction is located. AFL is a list of the application data records on the card, and the terminal uses it to read the application data.
Merchant & POS
What Are the Partial Authorization Requirements for an Acquirer Bank?
Partial authorization lets an issuer approve part of the requested amount when the card lacks the full balance, with the rest paid another way. This post covers the technical, receipt, clearing, reconciliation, merchant and certification requirements for acquirers.
Payment Systems
Dynamic CVM Limit Management Approach: A New Era in Card Security
One of the most notable recent developments in card payments is that contactless limits are no longer fixed and can be managed dynamically per customer. Mastercard and Visa are taking different but complementary approaches, and ISO 8583 may need to evolve with them.
ISO 8583
ISO 8583 Field Descriptions (F47)
F47-ADDITIONAL DATA (NATIONAL) is the field reserved for domestic additional information. In Turkey, it carries the BKM Unique ID in authorization transactions and data specific to KKPT (card-to-card transfer) transactions.
HSM & Security
What is KEK (Key Encryption Key)?
KEK (Key Encryption Key) is an encryption key used to encrypt the DEK (Data Encryption Key) and decrypt the encrypted DEK. The relationship between KEK and DEK: in encryption systems, keys are managed in a layered structure.
Online & Authorization
ISO 8583 Field Descriptions (F53)
F53 - PIN Encryption Control Information. When online PIN data is present, sending the F53 value is mandatory, except when DUKPT information is carried in Field 63, Tag 01. F53 consists of the following components.
Payment Systems
Why Am I Getting an Error When I Try to Pay with a TR QR Code?
In payment or cash withdrawal transactions, the TR QR Code is generated by the POS or ATM. The card issuing bank must build its systems to read and act on this code. Errors usually stem from mishandling the long and short QR code flows, which are explained here.
Payment Systems
Preventing Financial Losses in Payment Systems: Authorization, Clearing, and the Reversal Mechanism
Every payment transaction completes in seconds, yet dozens of controls run behind the scenes. This post covers the precautions for authorization and clearing, the critical role of reversals, and the financial loss scenarios most often seen in the field.
Merchant & POS
Is a Transaction Made by Swiping the Magnetic Stripe of a Chip Card Always a Fallback Transaction?
It's important to first distinguish between magnetic-stripe and fallback transactions. A magnetic-stripe transaction skips the chip entirely, which lowers its security level compared to a fallback transaction.