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Transforming Payment Security: The Inspiring Power of Debit/Credit Card Tokenization

Updated: Nov 30, 2023


​In today's digital age, transactions have become more convenient than ever before. But with this convenience comes a new set of risks, particularly when it comes to the sensitive information involved in card transactions. That's where card tokenization comes in-a cutting-edge technology that transforms the way we make payments. By replacing sensitive card data with a unique identifier or token, card tokenization has revolutionized the way we approach payment security. With its ability to protect against fraud and ensure the safety of sensitive information, card tokenization has become an indispensable tool in the world of commerce. Join me as we explore the fascinating world of card tokenization, and discover the inspiring ways it is transforming the way we make payments.


A visual representation of the debit/credit card tokenisation process. Step 1: A screenshot of a user visiting an e-commerce merchant website or application. Step 2: A screenshot of the user entering card details during checkout, along with other necessary information. Step 3: A screenshot of the user selecting the option to "secure your card as per RBI guidelines" or "tokenise your card as per RBI guidelines". Step 4: A screenshot of the user entering an OTP sent by their bank to give consent for token creation. Step 5: A screenshot of a token being generated and saved in place of the actual card details. Step 6: A screenshot of the user's card now being tokenised, with the last four digits of the card displayed for future identification during transactions.



FAQs


| Q: What is card Tokenisation?

A: Card Tokenization is the process of replacing sensitive card information, such as the card number, with a unique identifier or token. The token can then be used for transactions instead of the actual card number, reducing the risk of fraud and protecting the cardholder's sensitive information.


Tokenization is typically used in payment processing systems, where a payment gateway generates a token for a customer's card details and stores it securely in its database. When a customer makes a payment, the token is sent to the payment processor instead of the actual card number. The payment processor then uses the token to retrieve the card details from the payment gateway's database and processes the payment.


Tokenization helps to ensure that sensitive card data is not stored or transmitted in plain text, reducing the risk of theft or misuse. It also makes it easier for merchants to comply with industry regulations and standards, such as the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS).


*Starting from October 1st, 2022, as per the mandate of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), merchants or payment aggregators/gateways are prohibited from storing any sensitive information related to cards, including actual card number, CVV, expiry date, and any other relevant data, for the purpose of processing online transactions.

| Q: Where can I utilise these tokens in a card transaction?

| Q: What benefits does tokenization offer?

| Q: What does card tokenization failure mean?

| Q: Are there any additional fees for using RBI card tokenization?

| Q: How do I know if my payment card information is being tokenized?

| Q: Who can use RBI card tokenization?

| Q: Is RBI card tokenization secure?

| Q: Is RBI card tokenization mandatory?

| Q: How can the tokenisation process be carried out?

| Q:What are the ways to manage tokenised cards?

| Q:Will tokenisation affect POS transactions at merchant outlets?



A visual representation of the debit/credit card tokenisation process. Step 1: A screenshot of a user visiting an e-commerce merchant website or application. Step 2: A screenshot of the user entering card details during checkout, along with other necessary information. Step 3: A screenshot of the user selecting the option to "secure your card as per RBI guidelines" or "tokenise your card as per RBI guidelines". Step 4: A screenshot of the user entering an OTP sent by their bank to give consent for token creation. Step 5: A screenshot of a token being generated and saved in place of the actual card details. Step 6: A screenshot of the user's card now being tokenised, with the last four digits of the card displayed for future identification during transactions.


| Q: Can I opt-out of RBI card tokenization?

A: The option to opt-out of RBI card tokenization may vary by bank and payment card issuer. Customers should contact their bank or payment card issuer to determine if they have the option to opt-out of tokenization.

| Q: What is the process for registering a tokenisation request?

| Q: What happens if a digital token is stolen or compromised?

| Q: Do I need to activate or enroll in RBI card tokenization?

| Q: Is there a limit on the number of cards a customer can request to be tokenised?

| Q: How does the tokenisation process work when a customer has more than one card tokenised? Can the customer choose which card to use for a transaction?

| Q: Do customers need to tokenise their card at every merchant?



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