PayFacto API - v1.0 - POST /v1/datacandy/activate

Activates a DataCandy gift or loyalty card and loads an initial balance onto it. Returns a transactionConfirmationNumber that must be stored — it is required to commit or cancel the transaction and to unlock the card.

Prerequisites

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API Key

Generate your API key from the Payments Manager: Administrator Client → API Key → Add New Key. Pass it as auth-api-key in every request.

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Company & Merchant Numbers

Your CompanyNumber (5-digit) and MerchantNumber (8-digit) are issued by PayFacto during onboarding. Both are required on every DataCandy Activate request.

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Environment Base URL

Test: https://test.api.payfacto.cloud/v1 | Production: Provided by the PayFacto Integration team upon certification.

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Request Format — Base64-Encoded Payload

Requests use HTTP POST with an application/x-www-form-urlencoded body. Assemble all parameters as a cleartext query string, Base64-encode it, then send: auth-api-key={key}&payload={base64}. For terminal transactions (InputType=N), send ExpirationDate as 4 space characters.

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DataCandy Gift & Loyalty Cards

DataCandy is a gift and loyalty card solution integrated through PayFacto. All DataCandy endpoints operate on cards identified by CardNumber. DataCandy card transactions are identified by card type F (Datacandy/fidelity) in the response. Refer to the DataCandy documentation for account type numbers and card program specifics.

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Transaction Confirmation Number

The transactionConfirmationNumber returned in the response must be saved. It is required to commit the transaction (/v1/datacandy/completeCancel), to cancel it, and to unlock the card if it has been locked. Without this number, these follow-up operations cannot be performed.

Request

POST https://test.api.payfacto.cloud/v1/datacandy/activate

ℹ️

All parameters are passed inside the Base64-encoded payload form field. Raw body format: auth-api-key=<key>&payload=<base64>. For terminal transactions (InputType=N), send CardNumber as 40 space characters and ExpirationDate as 4 space characters.

Required fields

Field	Type	Description
CompanyNumber	Numeric(5)	Identifies the merchant on PayFacto's network. Provided by PayFacto during onboarding. Example: `12345`
MerchantNumber	Numeric(8)	Identifies the merchant to PayFacto's network. Provided by the integration team. Example: `53400000`
CustomerNumber	Alphanumeric(8)	Merchant-assigned customer identifier. Associates a client record with the transaction. Example: `CLIENT12`
Amount	Numeric(11)	Activation amount to load onto the card, including the decimal portion, left (0) padded. Example: `00000002500` = $25.00
InvoiceNumber	Alphanumeric(12)	Merchant-generated invoice number associated with the transaction. May be unique or reused per merchant needs. Example: `INV000000001`
InputType	Alphanumeric(1)	How the transaction is initiated. `N` = terminal/pinpad (Semi-Integrated), `I` = Internet/E-Commerce, `M` = MOTO, `U` = Unattended.
CardType	Alphanumeric(1)	Card brand. For `InputType=N` send a blank space. For `I`/`M`: `A` = Amex, `M` = Mastercard, `V` = Visa, `I` = Diners, `O` = Discover. Blank for unknown.
CardNumber	Alphanumeric(40)	The DataCandy gift or loyalty card number to activate, left-justified and space-padded to 40 characters. For `InputType=N`, send 40 space characters — the terminal reads the card directly.
ExpirationDate	Numeric(4)	Card expiration date in `MMYY` format. The card issuer is responsible for expiration date validation. For `InputType=N`, send 4 space characters. Example: `1226`
MerchantTerminalNumber	Numeric(5)	Identifies the terminal on PayFacto's network. For E-Commerce transactions, send 5 blank spaces. Example: `12345`
LanguageCode	Alphanumeric(1)	Language for PayFacto responses and terminal display. `F` = French, `E` = English.
CurrencyCode	Alphanumeric(3)	Currency of the transaction (indicative only). `CAD` = Canadian dollars, `USD` = US dollars (requires a US merchant number).
OperatorID	Alphanumeric(8)	Identifies the cashier, agent, or system that initiated the transaction. Useful for identifying the employee who generated the transaction on PayFacto's network. Example: `USER0001`

Optional fields

Field	Type	Description
UserEchoData	Alphanumeric(256)	Custom data printed on the terminal receipt (Semi-Integrated only). Pipe-delimited line segments. Contact PayFacto integration before use.

Request — Code Example

⚠️

The example below uses the test endpoint and a sandbox API key, and shows an E-Commerce (InputType=I) activation. Replace credentials and base URL before going live.

cURL

# DataCandy Activate — POST /v1/datacandy/activate
# Step 1: Build the cleartext payload
PAYLOAD="CompanyNumber=12345&MerchantNumber=53400000&CustomerNumber=CLIENT12&Amount=00000002500&InvoiceNumber=INV000000001&InputType=I&CardType= &CardNumber=6006491000000000001                   &ExpirationDate=1226&MerchantTerminalNumber=     &LanguageCode=E&CurrencyCode=CAD&OperatorID=USER0001"

# Step 2: Base64-encode the payload
ENCODED=$(echo -n "$PAYLOAD" | base64)

# Step 3: Submit the request
curl -X POST "https://test.api.payfacto.cloud/v1/datacandy/activate" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/x-www-form-urlencoded" \
  -d "auth-api-key=YOUR_TEST_API_KEY&payload=$ENCODED"

Response

Always returned

Field	Type	Description
returnCode	Alphanumeric(4)	Identifies the exact status of the transaction result. `00` = approved. All other values indicate a failure. Refer to Section 6 for endpoint-specific codes.
transactionConfirmationNumber	Numeric	Must be saved. Required to commit or cancel this transaction and to unlock the card if it has been locked. Without this number, follow-up operations cannot be performed.
authorizationNumber	Alphanumeric(8)	Authorization code obtained following successful approval. Mandatory to display on all customer receipts. Example: `APPROV99`
transactionNumber	Numeric(12)	Unique PayFacto gateway transaction identifier. Example: `000111222333`
amount	Numeric(11)	Echo of the requested activation amount.
balanceAmount	Numeric(12)	The balance in dollars available on the card following activation. Example: `000000002500` = $25.00
totalBalanceAmount	Numeric(12)	The total balance on the card including all locked amounts. Example: `000000002500` = $25.00
remainingAmount	Numeric(12)	The amount remaining on the transaction. Example: `000000000000` = $0.00
accountTypeNumber	Numeric(1)	The account type number associated with the DataCandy card program. Refer to the DataCandy documentation for possible values.
pic	Numeric(1)	Indicates whether the card's profile is complete. `1` = complete, `0` = incomplete.
cardNumber	Alphanumeric(40)	Echo of the request CardNumber (masked).
cardType	Alphanumeric(1)	Card type determined by the network. For DataCandy transactions this will always be `F` (Datacandy/fidelity).
companyNumber	Numeric(5)	Echo of the request CompanyNumber.
expirationDate	Numeric(4)	Echo of the request ExpirationDate, in `MMYY` format.
invoiceNumber	Alphanumeric(12)	Echo of the request InvoiceNumber.
languageCode	Alphanumeric(1)	Echo of the request LanguageCode.
merchantNumber	Numeric(8)	Echo of the request MerchantNumber.
operatorId	Alphanumeric(8)	Echo of the request OperatorID.
receiptDisp	Alphanumeric(32)	PayFacto-generated receipt message. Can be used to produce a receipt. Example: `APPROVED-THANK-YOU`
referenceNumber	Alphanumeric(10)	Reference number obtained following successful completion of the transaction.
sequenceNumber	Alphanumeric(12)	Sequence number generated by the banking acquirer.
serverNumber	Alphanumeric(4)	Identifies the PayFacto Network server that processed the transaction.
terminalDisp	Alphanumeric(24)	Transaction message displayed on the terminal or payment page. Example: `APPROVED`
terminalNumber	Numeric(5)	Identifies the terminal in the PayFacto Network used to process the transaction.
timeStamp	Alphanumeric(17)	Date and time the transaction was processed on the payment server. Format: `YYYYMMDD-HHMMSSCC`. Example: `20240515-14300100`
trxDate	Numeric(8)	Transaction date at the banking acquirer. Format: `MMDDYYYY`. May differ from timeStamp.
trxMethod	Alphanumeric(3)	Summarizes how the transaction was processed. First character: `D` = swiped, `T` = manual entry. Third character: `1` = authorized. Example: `D@1`
trxTime	Numeric(6)	Transaction time at the banking acquirer. Format: `HHMMSS`. May differ from timeStamp.
trxType	Alphanumeric(1)	Type of card used. For DataCandy transactions this will be `F` = Fidelity/Gift.

Conditionally returned

Field	Type	Description
startDate	Alphanumeric(10)	Only returned when the card has a start date later than its activation date. If not returned, the card is active immediately upon activation. Format: `YYYY-MM-DD`. Example: `2024-12-31`
ctm	String(155)	Only returned when the DataCandy program has a consumer targeted message configured. A multiple-line message to be printed on the customer receipt. Each line is separated by a pipe `\|` character.
customerNumber	Alphanumeric(8)	Only returned when provided in the request. Echo of the request CustomerNumber.
demoMode	Alphanumeric(4)	Only returned when the terminal is in demo mode. Value will be `true`.
errorDescription	Alphanumeric(50)	Only returned when the transaction is not approved. Human-readable description of the failure reason.
terminalInvoiceNumber	Numeric(12)	Only returned for terminal transactions. Terminal-assigned invoice number.

Response — Code Example

JSON — 200 Approved

{
  "returnCode":                    "00",
  "authorizationNumber":           "APPROV99",
  "transactionNumber":             "000111222333",
  "transactionConfirmationNumber": "987654321",
  "referenceNumber":               "0000000001",
  "amount":                        "00000002500",
  "balanceAmount":                 "000000002500",
  "totalBalanceAmount":            "000000002500",
  "remainingAmount":               "000000000000",
  "accountTypeNumber":             "1",
  "pic":                           "1",
  "cardNumber":                    "6006491XXXXX0001                       ",
  "cardType":                      "F",
  "trxType":                       "F",
  "trxDate":                       "05152024",
  "trxTime":                       "143001",
  "trxMethod":                     "T@1",
  "timeStamp":                     "20240515-14300100",
  "sequenceNumber":                "000011112222",
  "serverNumber":                  "0001",
  "terminalNumber":                "00001",
  "companyNumber":                 "12345",
  "merchantNumber":                "53400000",
  "invoiceNumber":                 "INV000000001",
  "expirationDate":                "1226",
  "languageCode":                  "E",
  "operatorId":                    "USER0001",
  "receiptDisp":                   "APPROVED-THANK-YOU      ",
  "terminalDisp":                  "APPROVED        "
}

JSON — Declined / Error

{
  "returnCode":        "05",
  "errorDescription":  "TRANSACTION DECLINED",
  "terminalDisp":      "DECLINED        ",
  "receiptDisp":       "DECLINED                ",
  "transactionNumber": "000111222334",
  "timeStamp":         "20240515-14300200"
}

Error / Return Codes

The following codes are most relevant to this endpoint. For the complete catalogue see the Return Code Index.

Return Code	Meaning	When it occurs	Recommended Action
00	Transaction approved	The card was activated successfully and the balance was loaded.	Display the `authorizationNumber` on the customer receipt. Save the `transactionConfirmationNumber` for commit, cancel, and card unlock operations. Print the `ctm` message on the receipt if present.
05	Transaction declined	The activation was declined by the DataCandy platform or the issuer.	Retry the transaction. If the problem persists, contact PayFacto customer service.
9004	"Null" value: company number	`CompanyNumber` is null or blank in the payload.	Check your application. The field must correspond to the specification in the documentation.
9005 / 9006	Invalid / rejected: company number	`CompanyNumber` does not match the required 5-digit length or is not configured in the payment solution.	Make sure the application uses the correct company number provided by PayFacto. If it does, contact PayFacto customer service.
9007	"Null" value: merchant number	`MerchantNumber` is null or blank in the payload.	Check your application. The field must correspond to the specification in the documentation.
9008 / 9009	Invalid / rejected: merchant number	`MerchantNumber` does not match the required 8-digit length or is not configured in the payment solution.	Make sure the application uses the merchant number provided by PayFacto. If it does, contact PayFacto customer service.
9013 / 9014 / 9015	Null / invalid / rejected: amount	`Amount` is null, does not match the required 11-digit length, or does not follow the specification.	Confirm the amount is left (0) padded to 11 digits and includes the decimal portion. If the problem persists, contact PayFacto customer service.
9016 / 9017 / 9018	Null / invalid / rejected: invoice number	`InvoiceNumber` is null, exceeds 12 characters, or does not follow the specification.	Check your application. The field must correspond to the specification in the documentation.
9019 / 9020 / 9021	Null / invalid / rejected: input type	`InputType` is null, not a single character, not in the list of accepted values (`N`, `I`, `M`, `U`), or not associated with the merchant.	Check your application. The field must correspond to the specification in the documentation.
9022 / 9023 / 9024	Null / invalid / rejected: card type	`CardType` is null, not a single character, or not in the list of accepted values.	Check your application. For terminal transactions send a blank space; for E-Commerce use one of the accepted card type codes.
9025 / 9026 / 9027	Null / invalid / rejected: card number	`CardNumber` is null, exceeds 40 characters, or does not follow the specification.	For terminal transactions send 40 space characters. For E-Commerce, send the card number left-justified and space-padded to 40 characters.
9028 / 9029 / 9030	Null / invalid / rejected: expiration date	`ExpirationDate` is null, not 4 characters, or does not follow the specification.	For terminal transactions send 4 space characters. For E-Commerce, send in `MMYY` format.
9031	"Null" value: POS terminal number	`MerchantTerminalNumber` is null or blank when a terminal transaction is being attempted.	Check your application. For terminal transactions provide a valid terminal number; for E-Commerce send 5 blank spaces.
9032 / 9033	Invalid / rejected: POS terminal number	`MerchantTerminalNumber` does not follow the specification, or the merchant is not configured as a POS terminal merchant.	Check your application. The field must correspond to the specification in the documentation. If the problem persists, contact PayFacto customer service.
3666	One or more terminals are busy	All of the merchant's terminals are currently processing transactions.	Wait and retry. If the problem persists, contact PayFacto customer service.
3667	Semi-integrated terminal is busy	The target terminal is currently processing another transaction or a recovery is in progress.	Wait 15 seconds and retry. If the problem persists, contact PayFacto customer service.
3668	Waiting for a recovery	An error occurred with the semi-integrated terminal. A recovery must be completed before another operation can be processed.	Make sure everything is plugged in correctly. If needed, restart the driver and unplug then replug the terminal power. Wait 35 seconds and retry. If the problem persists, contact PayFacto customer service.
3777	Inexistent terminal and/or merchant	The merchant or terminal has not been configured in the Dispatcher module.	If the problem persists, contact PayFacto customer service.
9051	Time out	Transaction processing timed out. Often caused by an inactive Dispatcher module.	Retry the transaction. If the problem persists, contact PayFacto customer service.
9049 / 9050	Fatal error	A critical error occurred while processing the transaction.	Retry the transaction. If the problem persists, contact PayFacto customer service.