What is Credit Card Tokenization?

Posted by Steph Fernandez
2
Dec 15, 2021
148 Views
Image

Tokenization is a process that replaces credit card numbers with unique tokens, making it difficult for hackers to steal sensitive information. Credit card tokenization occurs when a payment processor receives a credit card number from a customer and creates a unique token that represents that number. The payment processor then stores the tokenized credit card number instead of the actual credit card number. When a customer makes a purchase, the payment processor uses the tokenized credit card number to process the payment. If a hacker manages to steal the tokenized credit card number, they would not be able to use it because it is not associated with an actual credit card number.

Why is Credit Card Tokenization Important?

Credit card tokenization is important because it helps protect customers’ sensitive information from hackers. If a hacker steals a credit card number, they can use it to make fraudulent purchases. Credit card tokenization helps prevent this from happening by replacing the credit card number with a unique token that cannot be used for fraudulent purposes.

How Does Credit Card Tokenization Work?

When a customer provides their credit card number to a payment processor, the payment processor creates a unique token that represents that number. The payment processor then stores the tokenized credit card number instead of the actual credit card number. When the customer makes a purchase, the payment processor uses the tokenized credit card number to process the payment. If a hacker manages to steal the tokenized credit card number, they would not be able to use it because it is not associated with an actual credit card number.

What are the Benefits of Credit Card Tokenization?

The benefits of credit card tokenization include:

  • Hackers cannot steal sensitive information such as credit card numbers

  • Credit card numbers are not stored in clear text, making them difficult to steal

  • Credit card tokenization helps protect customers’ sensitive information from hackers

  • Tokenized credit card numbers can only be used for authorized transactions

  • It is easy to replace a lost or stolen tokenized credit card number

How is Credit Card Tokenization Used?

Credit card tokenization is used to protect customers’ sensitive information from hackers. When a customer provides their credit card number to a payment processor, the payment processor creates a unique token that represents that number. The payment processor then stores the tokenized credit card number instead of the actual credit card number. When the customer makes a purchase, the payment processor uses the tokenized credit card number to process the payment.

What Are Some Payment Applications of Credit Card Tokenization?

One example of a payment application is in-store and online transactions. A customer can provide their credit card number when making a purchase at a store or online, and the merchant will then communicate that number to the payment processor. The payment processor will then create a token that represents the credit card number and store it. When the customer makes a purchase, the payment processor will use the tokenized credit card number to process the payment.

Comments
avatar
Please sign in to add comment.