- Card payments are very secure today.
- Chip technology, PIN codes and 3D Secure technology reliably prevent unauthorised transactions. Real-time monitoring recognises and blocks suspicious transactions in many cases.
- Protect your card, PIN and app access credentials. Do not disclose any codes to third parties and report any unusual debits immediately.
- If you remain alert and observe the security rules, paying by card is reliable and convenient.
- Only use dependable cash points and payment terminals.
- Don’t use a terminal that is damaged or looks unusual.
- Always hide your PIN, for example with your hand or wallet/purse when entering the PIN. Don’t allow anyone to watch you and don’t allow yourself to be distracted when entering your PIN.
- If the terminal or persons around the terminal make you suspicious, abandon the transaction immediately.
- If an ATM or terminal retains your card or if the card gets stuck, do not accept help from strangers.
- Block your card using the app and inform the card issuer of the incident.
- Memorise your PIN and do not write it down.
- Protect your PIN carefully.
- Never disclose your PIN to anyone - not even to the police or bank employees.
- Don’t allow anyone to watch you entering your PIN. Hide your PIN, for example with your hand or your wallet.
- Do not allow yourself to be distracted when entering the PIN.
- Your PIN issued by the financial institution is very secure - it cannot be calculated from card or account data.
- However, if the PIN is viewed by others, fraudsters will gain access to your account if the card is also stolen. Therefore: Always conceal your PIN when entering it.
- Choose a strong, personalised PIN. Avoid simple number sequences (e.g. 1234, 0000, 1111), your date of birth, parts of telephone numbers, car licence plates or other easily guessable examples.
- Never write down your PIN.
- If you forget the PIN number for your account, debit or credit card, you can ask your financial institution for a new one.
- Some providers allow you to request a new PIN via their app.
- Card thefts often occur near ATMs, payment terminals or in crowded locations.
- Criminals take advantage of brief moments of carelessness – when shopping, travelling, in a restaurant or at events – and steal the card without being noticed.
- Fraudsters usually obtain the PIN by watching. Therefore always hide your PIN when entering it (for example, with your hand or your wallet). You make it particularly easy for the criminal if you write down the PIN.
- Take a good look at the cash dispenser or payment terminal before use.
- Don’t use the machine if you notice anything suspicious, such as a wobbly attachment, traces of adhesive tape or damage.
- You can recognise suspicious transactions when amounts, times, merchants or locations do not match your usual payment pattern – or when payments appear that you did not initiate yourself.
- Check your account activity regularly and carefully using online banking, the card app or your bank statement.
- Report any suspicious or unauthorised transactions to your financial institution or card issuer immediately. This helps to define liability and enables the financial institution to take preventive measures quickly and also tighten security further.
- Block your card immediately using your card app, banking app or by contacting your financial institution.
- If you suspect misuse of your account card, debit or credit card, report this to your financial institution or card issuer urgently.
- If you notice fraudulent transactions on your account or bank statement, you should also report the matter to the police.
- Block your card immediately using your card app, banking app or by contacting your financial institution.
The following cases should also be reported to the police:
- Your card was stolen (possibly along with cash or identity papers).
- You noticed transactions you did not make on your account or bank statement.
- Yes, at least whenever the card could have fallen into the hands of third parties.
- By reporting this to the police, you are aiding them in their investigations and search for potential criminals.
- Have your card blocked at once if it is stolen, if you lost it, if you notice fraudulent transactions involving your account or if your card is unexpectedly retained by a cash dispenser.
- Don’t hesitate - comply with this requirement as soon as possible.
- It is better to block your card one time too many than one time too few – even if you are unsure about the whereabouts of your card.
- Block your card immediately using your card app, banking app or by contacting your financial institution.
- You can arrange for your card to be blocked at any time, including at the weekend, by calling your financial institution or card issuer.
- If possible, state your card number and account type.
- Always carry the telephone number of your financial institution on you (but don't keep it with your card). Also save it on your mobile. So you can respond quickly in an emergency.
- If possible, state your card number, the type of account and the name of the account holder.
- However, if necessary you can also have your card blocked without providing this information. The financial institution will then identify you by means of security questions (for example current account balance, last withdrawal, or regular credits to your account).
- Some financial institutions allow you to unlock a card after blocking it.
- However, cards are normally destroyed for security reasons, and a new one issued by the institution or card issuer. Get in touch with your financial institution or card issuer about this.
- You should report the theft of cash, cards or identity papers to the police and also if your account shows transactions which you yourself did not make.
- Also report the loss of your card or its possible misuse to your financial institution or card issuer at once.
File your report at the nearest police station. Collect the following information before going to the police:
- Account and card number
- Date and time when card blocked
- Fraudulent transactions (date/time/place). Remember that only transactions that have been debited to your account can be reported.
- Have any other suspicious transactions been attempted (date, time, place)?
- Try and work out how and when the criminals could have got hold of your card or PIN and card details.
- Can you describe the location where you suspect the tampering or fraud occurred (location, address, third parties involved, special features of the machine, e.g. signs of tampering)?
When paying with a PIN, you are identified by entering the PIN. When paying with a signature, you are identified by your signature.
No. Both cards are absolutely secure – provided that cardholders are careful with their cards.
If you have paid the amount with your credit card, payments can be cancelled in certain cases, for example if goods have not been delivered or are faulty. Your credit card provider will provisionally cancel the debit until the matter has been settled.
- No. Your physical or digital account, debit or credit cards are personal and may not be passed to third parties or registered in third-party wallets. This also applies to family members, close friends, police officers or bank employees.
- Also keep your PIN to yourself. You can ask your financial institution to issue your spouse or children, etc. with their own card.
In principle, the card issuer is liable. However, in the event of a breach of the duty of care - for example, if you have disclosed confidential card information and/or the authentication code to a third party - you must expect to bear the financial loss yourself. This also applies if you have confirmed a fraudulent transaction with the app.