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3DS Step-up Retries is a Vaultera Switch feature designed to improve the success rate of non-3DS card payments. If a non-3DS transaction fails with an error suggesting a 3D Secure (3DS) authentication could resolve the issue, Vaultera Switch automatically retries the payment with 3DS authentication on the same payment processor.

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🎯 Why Use 3DS Step-up Retry?

BenefitDescription
✅ Higher Success RateRecovers failed non-3DS payments by upgrading to 3DS authentication.
🔐 Fraud ProtectionReduces fraud by enforcing customer authentication.
💸 Chargeback ProtectionHelps shift liability by using 3DS verification.

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🛠️ How It Works

  1. A non-3DS payment attempt fails.
  2. Vaultera Switch detects a retryable error (e.g., fraud or 3DS required).
  3. Vaultera Switch automatically retries the same transaction with 3DS enabled using the same processor.
  4. The user is prompted to complete the 3DS challenge.
  5. If successful, the payment proceeds; if not, it fails gracefully.

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🧾 Example Errors That Trigger Step-up Retry

  • Card issuer requires 3DS
  • Fraud-related soft declines
  • “Authentication Required” error messages

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🧩 Supported Processors

Currently supported processors for 3DS Step-up Retries include:
  • Bluesnap
  • Stripe
✅ To request support for other processors, please submit a feature request to [Vaultera [email protected]](mailto:Vaultera [email protected])

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🚀 How to Enable 3DS Step-up Retry

To activate this feature:
  1. Email your request to [Vaultera [email protected]](mailto:Vaultera [email protected]).
  2. Include confirmation from your end that you want to enable 3DS Step-up Retry for your business profile.

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🙋 Frequently Asked Questions

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🔹 What is the user experience like?

  • Initially, the customer enters their card details as usual.
  • If the payment fails and 3DS Step-up is triggered, the customer will see a 3DS challenge screen (e.g., OTP or biometric).
  • After completing 3DS, the payment is retried and processed.

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🔹 What’s the difference between Smart Retry and 3DS Step-up Retry?

Smart Retry3DS Step-up Retry
Retries failed payments with an alternative processorRetries non-3DS failed payments with 3DS on the same processor
Handles technical and business failuresTargets authentication-related failures
Broader coverage of failure casesSpecific to fraud/3DS-required failures

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🔹 What if a failure qualifies for both Smart Retry and 3DS Step-up Retry?

Vaultera Switch will prioritize 3DS Step-up Retry because:
  • It reduces chargeback risk.
  • It enforces authentication for potentially risky transactions.
  • It maintains consistency by using the same processor.