Info for EU-Based Patrons

If you're reading this from outside Europe, feel free to ignore this.  You are not affected by it.

What's happening?

So Patreon emailed me saying because of new leglisation coming in to play this month, European Patrons (those supporting Creators, not the actual Creators themselves) may have to go through an extra step when pledging or updating their payment information on their debit or credit card.  This is called two-factor authentication.   General information about two-factor authentication can be found here. 

Your bank may send you a code via your phone to enter, or you have to insert your card into an authenticator or something.  If you want to know how this stuff works with your personal bank, and what you (may) need to do to authorise certain transactions, you're best off contacting your bank directly.    Patreon's just simply following the rules so it can continue to operate in the EU (meaning I don't have to disappear; phew!).  Patreon will automatically apply this procedure (when relevant) from 14th September 2019.

Why is this happening?  

Basically to try and combat card and payment fraud.   However, this presently only affects transactions over  €30  (that's  €  Euros, not £ British pounds).  This isn't just a Patreon-specific thing, it's meant to affect all digital transactions within the EU.   Given the political instability going on between the EU and UK (and even the UK itself) regarding Brexit, I have no idea whether this affects UK-based Patrons or not.   I'll err on the side of caution and say yes, since it's already normal here in the UK to have your phone or an authenticator handyto verify access to banking stuff or approve large payments.  If I find out anything conclusive, I'll update this journal accordingly.    Anyway, as iterated earlier, Patrons supporting me from outside the EU are unaffected.

Just something to bear in mind.  If you want to spread the word to any European Patrons you know, use this link from Patreon's help centre.

Thank you for your time and co-operation and moreover, thank you for your support.  Couldn't be here with you.

Kami