Soft Decline
With the DSP2 application, issuers can refuse the transaction if 3D Secure authentication has not been performed. This behavior is called “ Soft Decline”.
Since October 2020, transactions without 3DS authentication are progressively refused according to the following calendar:
This mechanism directly impacts merchants using selective 3D Secure to disable 3DS authentication.
- The card is not enrolled for 3DS2.
- A technical error prevents the 3DS2 enrollment verification.
- The merchant is not enrolled for 3DS2.
If the merchant requests an authentication without cardholder interaction (frictionless), but the holder’s card is not enrolled for 3DS2, the gateway performs a fallback to 3DS1.
If the store has the “3DS1 Selective” feature, the exemption request is interpreted as a 3DS1 deactivation request.
To reduce the number of rejected payments, when the issuer refuses a “ Soft Decline ” transaction, the payment gateway automatically makes a new payment attempt, but this time with 3D Secure authentication, and without the buyer having to re-enter their card data. It is therefore transparent for the buyer.
There will not be a new attempt with 3DS authentication following a "Soft Decline” refusal if the payment is a payment in installments.
Which networks are involved?
By definition, all acquirers who make acquisitions in euros within the area of application of DPS2 are concerned.
- CB
- AMEXGLOBAL (American Express)
- GATECONEX (Elavon Europe)
- GICC (Concardis acquirers, Six payments, VR Pay)
| Network | Authorization return code |
|---|---|
| CB | 81 |
| AMEXGLOBAL | 130 |
| GATECONEX | 110 |
| GICC | 65 |
How to test the “ Soft Decline”?
| Card number | Label |
|---|---|
| 4970119000005005 | CB |
| 4970100000000659 | VISA |
| 378283000001301 | AMEX |