How To Fix PCA_MASTER412 - Asterisks may not be used for intial creation of payment card numbers

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: PCA_MASTER - Messages for Central Card Data

• Message number: 412

• Message text: Asterisks may not be used for intial creation of payment card numbers

What causes this issue?

When you enter the payment card number, characters were used that are
reserved for encryption.

System Response

The system issues an error message and will not allow you to continue with this transaction until the error is resolved.

How to fix this error?

During active, external encryption of payment card numbers, the actual
payment card number is masked by asterisks in the display.
Therefore this character is not permitted when you enter the payment
card number. Use numbers that do not contain asterisks.

Procedure for System Administrators

Error message extract from SAP system. Copyright SAP SE.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message PCA_MASTER412 - Asterisks may not be used for intial creation of payment card numbers ?

  The SAP error message PCA_MASTER412 indicates that asterisks (*) cannot be used when initially creating payment card numbers in the system. This error typically arises in the context of managing payment card data within SAP, particularly when dealing with sensitive information like credit card numbers.
  Cause:
  The primary cause of this error is the attempt to use asterisks as placeholders or for masking when entering a new payment card number. SAP requires that the actual payment card number be entered without any masking characters (like asterisks) during the initial creation process. This is a security measure to ensure that valid payment card information is stored correctly and securely.
  Solution:
  To resolve this error, follow these steps:
  
  
  Enter the Full Payment Card Number: Ensure that you are entering the complete and valid payment card number without any asterisks or other masking characters. The number should be in the standard format (typically 16 digits for most credit cards).
  
  
  Check Input Fields: Verify that you are in the correct input field for the payment card number and that no other fields are mistakenly being filled with asterisks.
  
  
  Review System Configuration: If you are consistently encountering this error, it may be worth reviewing the system configuration or consulting with your SAP administrator to ensure that the payment card processing settings are correctly configured.
  
  
  Consult Documentation: Refer to SAP documentation or help resources for any specific guidelines related to payment card processing in your version of SAP.
  
  
  Contact Support: If the issue persists after following the above steps, consider reaching out to SAP support or your internal IT support team for further assistance.
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  Data Security: Handling payment card information requires compliance with standards such as PCI DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard). Ensure that your organization follows best practices for data security when managing payment card information.
  SAP Modules: This error may be encountered in modules related to finance, sales, or customer relationship management (CRM) where payment processing is involved.
  User Training: Ensure that users who are responsible for entering payment card information are trained on the correct procedures and understand the importance of data security.
  
  By following these guidelines, you should be able to resolve the PCA_MASTER412 error and successfully create payment card numbers in SAP.