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Overview

The SurePay CoP connector enables UK Payment Service Providers (PSPs) to implement compliant Confirmation of Payee (CoP) services. This allows them to verify beneficiary account details before initiating payments, adhering to Pay.UK’s regulatory standards. The connector uses SurePay’s CoP API suite and Grand Central to offer a seamless, out-of-the-box installation for financial institutions in the UK. The connector maintains high standards of security and compliance while providing a frictionless user experience. Its features suit both retail and business banking scenarios where payers are required to verify payees’ account details before making any payment within the UK.

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Key Benefits

  • Real-time verification: Instant verification of payee information
  • Fraud reduction: Significant reduction in fraudulent activity risk
  • Faster transactions: Streamlined payment process with upfront verification
  • Enhanced security: Verify payee details before payment initiation
  • Regulatory compliance: Meet Pay.UK’s CoP requirements
  • Error prevention: Reduce payment errors and misdirected payments

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Features

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Verify Payee Information

The SurePay CoP connector allows payers to verify the accuracy of payee information when issuing payments to beneficiaries for the first time, whether they are individuals or organizations. Verification Process:
  1. Payer Initiates Payment: When paying a new beneficiary (first-time payment)
  2. Details Provided: Payer provides:
    • Payee’s sort code
    • Account number
    • Payee name
  3. Verification Request: Details are routed to payee’s bank for verification
  4. Match Result: Receive match result as true or false
  5. Additional Information: If match result is false:

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Use Cases

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First-Time Beneficiary Payments

Verify new beneficiary details before initiating the first payment to reduce fraud and errors.

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Retail Banking Payments

Enable retail customers to verify payee information during payment setup.

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Business Banking Payments

Allow business customers to verify supplier and vendor details before payments.

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Payment Fraud Prevention

Detect fraudulent beneficiary details before payment execution.

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Error Reduction

Prevent misdirected payments by verifying account details upfront.

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Regulatory Compliance

Meet UK Pay.UK requirements for Confirmation of Payee services.

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Customer Confidence

Provide customers with confidence that payments are sent to correct beneficiaries.

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How It Works

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CoP Verification Workflow

  1. Payment Initiation: Payer selects or enters new beneficiary for payment
  2. Detail Collection: System collects:
    • Sort code
    • Account number
    • Beneficiary name
  3. Verification Request: Details sent to SurePay CoP API via Grand Central
  4. Bank Routing: Request routed to payee’s bank for verification
  5. Verification Response: Payee’s bank returns match result
  6. Result Display: System displays verification result to payer:
    • Match (true): Proceed with payment
    • No Match (false): Display reason and closest matching name (if available)
  7. Payer Decision: Payer decides whether to proceed or update details

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Match Result Scenarios

True Match:
  • Payee details match bank records
  • Proceed with payment confidently
False Match:
  • Details don’t match bank records
  • System provides:
    • Reason for mismatch
    • Closest matching name (when available)
  • Payer can:
    • Correct details and retry
    • Contact beneficiary to verify
    • Cancel payment

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Supported Payment Types

The SurePay CoP connector supports verification for:
  • Faster Payments
  • CHAPS payments
  • Standing orders
  • Future-dated payments
  • Domestic UK payments to individuals
  • Domestic UK payments to organizations

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Supported Operations

Through the Grand Central Unified API Specification:
  • Verify payee information: Check if payee details match bank records
  • Retrieve match results: Get true/false match indication
  • Access mismatch reasons: Understand why verification failed
  • Get alternative names: Receive closest matching names when available
  • Support individual payees: Verify personal account holders
  • Support organization payees: Verify business account holders
  • Real-time processing: Instant verification results

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Configuration

Configure your SurePay CoP connector through the Grand Central platform:
  • API credentials and authentication
  • SurePay CoP API endpoint configuration
  • Bank routing configuration
  • Response handling settings
  • Timeout and retry parameters
  • Error handling and fallback strategies

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Integration Benefits

  • Regulatory Compliance: Meet Pay.UK’s mandatory CoP requirements
  • Fraud Prevention: Verify beneficiary details before payment execution
  • Error Reduction: Prevent misdirected payments and reduce chargebacks
  • Customer Protection: Protect customers from payment fraud
  • Real-Time Verification: Instant verification during payment setup
  • Enhanced Trust: Build customer confidence in payment security
  • Reduced Disputes: Minimize payment disputes and investigations
  • Seamless Integration: Out-of-the-box integration with UK payment systems
  • Faster Time-to-Market: Pre-built connector eliminates custom development
  • Scalable Solution: Handle high-volume verification requests
  • BIAN Compliance: Standardized payment verification interactions

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UK Market Specifics

Regulatory Context:
  • Pay.UK mandates CoP for UK Payment Service Providers
  • Applies to all UK domestic payments
  • Protects against Authorised Push Payment (APP) fraud
Bank Support:
  • Works with all UK banks supporting CoP
  • Standardized verification process across banks
  • Consistent result format for all verifications
Payment Schemes:
  • Faster Payments Service (FPS)
  • CHAPS (Clearing House Automated Payment System)
  • Future-dated payments
  • Standing orders