Increasing the security of online payment requests by introducing a dual-layer authentication system for accessing the funds and/or credit through payment cards is described. An additional check regarding the identity of a card user to be included within a traditional security protocols for these cards, wherein the additional check is based on an authentication channel which is external to the user's card. A device owned by the legitimate card owner certifies that the user of the card at any given instant is the legitimate owner of the card and not someone else. To process this additional information, a connection by means of a proximity based device is established.