Check the Invoice Status After a Stripe Payment

In this FAQ, we discuss the following topics related to 3DS authentication:

1. Possible Issue

2. Possible Scenarios with 3DS Authentication

1. Possible Issue

When a payment is made by credit card via Stripe, the color of the event log alone does not confirm that the transaction has been approved. A green log entry in GEM-CAR simply indicates that no error was returned by Stripe, while a red log entry indicates that an error was detected. For example, if the transaction is blocked by 3D Secure (3DS) authentication, Stripe may not return any error, but the payment remains incomplete. In this situation, the associated invoice remains unpaid.

The log color reflects only the technical response returned by Stripe:

• Red: Stripe returned an error.
• Green: Stripe did not return an error.

Sometimes, in the Stripe system, the transaction is blocked by 3D Secure (3DS) authentication, and the payment remains incomplete (or failed), even though it may appear green in GEM-CAR.

Solution: It is therefore essential to also check the invoice status in the Stripe system to confirm whether the payment was actually received.

2. Possible Scenarios with 3DS Authentication

Depending on your client's credit card settings, authentication may be required only for the first payment, for every payment, or when the card is saved. Here are three scenarios:

1. 3DS Authentication Required for a One-Time Payment

2. 3DS Authentication Required Only When Registering the Card

3. 3DS Authentication Required for Every Transaction

1. 3DS Authentication Required for a One-Time Payment

When a client makes a one-time payment at the Point of Sale, a 3D Secure authentication window appears.

• If authentication is COMPLETE, the payment is authorized and the invoice is marked as paid.
• If authentication fails (FAIL) or is abandoned, the payment is declined and the invoice remains unpaid.

2. 3DS Authentication Required Only When Registering the Card

Some cards require 3D Secure authentication only when they are registered.

• The client completes the authentication via the 3DS window.
• Once authentication is successful (COMPLETE), the card is authorized for recurring payments.
• Subsequent recurring payments are processed without displaying a 3DS window, since they are treated as off-session payments .

3. 3DS Authentication Required for Each Transaction

Some cards require 3D Secure authentication for each payment. In this case, recurring payments cannot be processed automatically, since no authentication window can be presented to the client.

• Stripe returns the error authentication_required.
• The invoice remains unpaid.
• A reminder email is sent to the client so they can complete the payment.
• A notification is also sent to the representative so they can follow up with the client.

Note: 3D Secure requirements are determined by the bank that issued the client's card and cannot be controlled by GEM-CAR or Stripe.