Authorisation

An authorisation merely confirms that the genuine cardholder has sufficient funds and that the card has not been recorded as lost or stolen. An authorisation does NOT guarantee payment of the transaction and can also not confirm whether or not the cardholder is genuine.

An authorisation is the process whereby the cardholders account details and status are verified by Absa Authorisation Services. A verification code is issued by the bank on the card allowing the transaction to be completed. If the card issuer is not available (system down), the payment cannot be authorised.

Card authorisation must be obtained in the following situations:

• If the sale exceeds a pre-set floor limit
• If you have suspicions about the card, the cardholder or the transaction
• If the card is not signed, or the signatures on the card and slip differ

Important tips

• Don't try to obtain an authorisation unless you're carrying out a genuine card transaction
• Authorisation must take place at the time of the sale, unless you have written authority from Absa Merchant Services for pre-authorisation (Mandatory for car rentals, hotel bookings and mail- or telephone-order companies)

Authorisation can be obtained in one of the following ways:

• Electronically via a terminal
• Via a telephone

* Maestro and Visa Electron debit cards can only be authorised electronically.

Electronic Authorisation

Most terminals are set up to automatically seek authorisation when required. To prevent fraud, certain terminals may randomly seek authorisation on other transactions even if they do not exceed the floor limit.

Response messages

If the authorisation request was generated automatically, the terminal will display one of the following three-response messages:

1. If the authorisation is successful, the terminal will display and then print the 'Authorisation Code xxxx'.
2. ‘Call Auth Centre' - This requires that the appropriate authorisation service be called before accepting another means of payment. Advise the operator that you're calling as a result of a 'Call  Auth Centre' terminal message; otherwise it could result in a chargeback.
3. Declined Code 05
   The card issuer has declined the transaction. The cardholder is advised to contact the card issuer. A 'Declined Code 05' may be as a result of a technical error, or due to lack of funds or lost or stolen card reported.

Important tip

Please dial 0860 100 017 to express any doubts at any stage during a transaction. This includes suspicions about a card, the cardholder or the circumstances of the transaction.

In an environment where the caller is unable to speak freely, please quote the call as a 'Code 10' and allow the operator to guide you, or even the cardholder through a serious of questions. The operator will then advise what actions to take.

Telephone Authorisation

Be sure to have the customers card handy when calling the appropriate authorisation number. Also avoid handing over the goods before the authorisation allows for the transaction to be completed. The operator will also require the following information:

• The store's merchant number
• The cardholder's account number
• The card's date of expiry
• The card's CVV code (last three digits on the back of the card)
• The amount of the transaction

Upon authorisation, enter the authorisation code into the provided code box on the sales voucher or on the terminal to complete the transaction.

Should the authorisation be declined, destroy the sales voucher and advise the cardholder to contact the card issuer. Also request an alternate form of payment from the purchaser.

The following Authorisation Numbers are available 24-hours a day, 7 days a week to provide authorisation:

• All Authorisation calls are monitored by supervisors, for the purposes of staff training and quality assurance