Bulgaria’s National Revenue Agency introduces double protection for payments through virtual POS

Bulgaria’s National Revenue Agency has enhanced the security of payments with bank cards on the Internet by introducing two-factor identification when confirming the payment.

The virtual POS (point of sale) system of the NRA is one of the most frequently used electronic services of the revenue agency. Since its introduction, more than 1.2 million transactions have been made through it for over half a billion BGN. Since the beginning of this year, more than BGN 50 million have been paid through the virtual POS, the National Revenue Agency announced on March 24.

Improving the security of online payments is in implementation of the current Payment Services Directive - PSD 2 for all citizens of the European Union, starting from 30.03.2021, and the NRA will take the necessary steps to switch to EMV 3DS protocol on its virtual POS terminal. This will lead to a change in the page for entering card data when paying amounts to the NRA.

There will also be a different way of confirming transactions for cardholders who support Mastercard IdentityCheck and Verified by Visa. The entered two-factor identification includes, in addition to the familiar dynamic password, another static - 3D password, which serves to confirm online payments. It will be given by the servicing bank that issued the card, NRA explained.

Users will see the new payment interface through a virtual POS terminal after 9.00 am on March 30. On this date, difficulties in accessing the electronic services of the NRA are possible between 8.30 am and 9.00 am. More information about the two-factor identification can be obtained from the servicing bank, issuer of the card.