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Most Irish payment cards now use ‘Chip and PIN' technology meaning they contain a micro-chip that helps prevent counterfeiting or cloning fraud. You use a PIN (Personal Identification Number) instead of your signature to authorise payments. It is very important that you keep your PIN safe.

• Do not write your PIN down or carry it with your payment card
• Do not tell anyone your PIN
• Know that your bank or card issuer will never ask you for your PIN
• Never disclose your PIN over the phone or on the Internet
• Don’t mistake the 3-digit Card Security Code (CSC) on the back of your card for your PIN. They are not the same thing.
• Do not allow your payment card to be taken out of your sight when you are paying for goods or services. If the till is not nearby, go with the staff member to make the payment
• Keep your card issuer’s phone number handy, for reporting lost or stolen payment cards
• If you do not protect your payment card or PIN, or you give them to someone else, you may be held liable for unauthorised transactions
• Always check your payment card and current account statements. If there are transactions on your account that you don’t recognise, contact your bank or card issuer immediately and it will investigate those on your behalf

SafeCard – The fraud prevention website

SafeCard was established by IPSO to raise awareness of card fraud. For more information on card fraud prevention and to find a comprehensive list of frequently asked questions, training materials and lots of useful fraud prevention advice, visit www.SafeCard.ie.

For further information on payment cards please click on the menu to the left.