The European Payment Institutions Federation’s (EPIF) request to the EBA to extend the deadline for Strong Customer Authentication (SCA) will make customers more vulnerable to fraud and lose money for the industry in the long run.
The SCA deadline is currently set at December 31, 2020, after the EBA agreed to a further 18-month extension last August.
Go deeper with GlobalData
Citing difficulty implementing new technology when most staff are working from home, members of EPIF, which counts Visa and Mastercard as members, are asking for a minimum six-month delay to the implementation of SCA across their services.
However justified this request might be given the current circumstances caused by Covid-19, it is shortsighted and will ensure that payments companies pay more down the line. First of all, e-commerce has been booming due to an enormous number of transactions moving online given the ongoing global self-isolation requirements. This increase in volume of online purchases, coupled with an influx of many new, inexperienced e-commerce users, is a perfect reason for fraudsters to ramp up their activity.
Consumers who are new to buying most of their necessities online are also more likely to be trusting of various sources than those used to e-commerce. A particular example would be the elderly, who now have to order their groceries online. These consumers will be easy targets for fraudsters.
Saving money now on implementing a new security technology will pale in comparison to the higher price needed to be paid in the future by payment companies to reimburse fraud victims who could have been protected had SCA been in place. Not only will companies lose money directly, but potentially also the trust and loyalty of consumers following fraud attacks.
How well do you really know your competitors?
Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.
Thank you!
Your download email will arrive shortly
Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample
We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form
By GlobalData
