Though it will not be immediately obvious once you enter the section of Argoed where you need to enter credit/debit card details you will actually be on the server of another company - SECPay. SECPay deal with all our credit and charge card transactions. Credit and debit card details are not held by Argoed.

SECPay are an independent Internet Credit and Debit Card Transaction Processing Service company. They use industry standard SSL (Secure Socket Layer) an encryption method used and approved by the banking system. Encryption occurs on the buyers computer and decryption can only take place on SECPay¹s server.

SSL encryption is subject to the standard security restrictions which restrict the ability of browsers to communicate across the internet to the website from which the transaction originated. Decryption can only take place on SECPay¹s secure server after an order has been downloaded from the web. You can check that your browser is SSL enabled by checking the padlock symbol. This symbols appears in the bottom left hand corner when on a secure site with Explorer. In Netscape a padlock symbol is always visible in the bottom left corner. Netscape usually shows an open padlock symbol which changes to a locked padlock on secure sites.

SECPay use such serves as Paybox, AVS address verification and CVV2 (dependent on acquirer) and UK SMART against fraudulent use of credit cards.

For further details concerning SECPay visit their website:

http://www.secpay.com