What is Stripe 3D Secure (3DS) authentication

🔐What is 3D Secure?

3D Secure (3DS) is an extra layer of security for online credit/debit card payments. It's designed to prevent fraud by requiring customers to complete a verification step with their bank (e.g., entering a one-time passcode or approving the payment via their banking app).

Stripe uses 3D Secure 2, the latest version, which is faster and mobile-friendly.

👉 Learn more directly from Stripe:

👨‍👩‍👧How it Impacts Parents (the Payers)

If a parent pays tuition or fees using a credit or debit card through a Onespot/Stripe-powered invoice:

• 🧾Some transactions may require verification before completing the payment (depending on their bank and the region).
• 🔁The parent might be redirected briefly to their bank’s page or app to approve the payment.
• 📱This could look like:
  • A one-time passcode via text/email
  • A Face ID or fingerprint request in their bank app
  • Clicking "approve" in their online banking

💡If the parent doesn't complete the 3DS step, the payment will fail. They’ll need to retry and finish verification for it to go through.

🌍Why It’s Important (Especially in the EU)

3D Secure is required by law in many places — especially Europe (under PSD2) and some parts of Asia. So if you're working with international schools (like in Spain), many card payments will be 3DS-required by default.

🧩Stripe + 3DS = Automatic

• It detects if the card or region requires it.
• It prompts the parent accordingly.
• No extra setup is needed on your side.

📝Summary for Parents

"Some card payments may require a quick extra verification step for security. Stripe handles this automatically and will prompt you if needed. Just follow the on-screen instructions to complete your payment securely."