Voice authorization is a manual method of obtaining approval for a credit or debit card transaction through a live phone call. Typically used when an electronic transaction is unable to be approved due to technical issues, security flags, or lack of connectivity, voice authorization provides a fallback method where the merchant calls the issuing bank or a designated authorization center. During the call, the bank representative verifies card details and confirms the transaction approval or decline status. While this process is less common in modern digital transactions, voice authorization remains a critical tool for certain high-risk transactions, unique circumstances, or offline environments where a merchant needs additional confirmation.
Voice authorization, though infrequent in daily transactions, still plays a role in key industries where trust and security are paramount, such as hospitality, luxury retail, and high-ticket B2B sales. In 2023, voice authorization accounted for around 2% of all manual authorizations across industries, particularly valuable when dealing with transactions above average thresholds or cross-border purchases. For example, in hospitality, a hotel might request voice authorization to secure a high-value booking payment flagged by an automated system. This process can help reduce chargeback rates and fraud-related losses significantly. Insight: According to recent data, merchants who utilize voice authorization for flagged transactions see a 15% reduction in fraudulent chargebacks compared to relying solely on digital authorizations.
When navigating voice authorizations, businesses often find it time-consuming and costly to handle these calls effectively. Swipesum streamlines this process by connecting merchants with banks and supporting them in managing high-risk authorizations. Our experts assist you in implementing automated fallback solutions and liaising with financial institutions, so you never have to worry about lost transactions or service disruptions. Swipesum ensures that your authorization process remains efficient, allowing you to focus on growing your business without security concerns.
