Handelsbanken puts a new lock on its debit and credit cards
Handelsbanken's customers now have new options for locking and unlocking their cards.
Card customers with Handelsbanken were already able to open and close their cards for online purchases. Now the Bank is introducing the same option for purchases and withdrawals outside Sweden.
"A simple but very effective protection against the most common types of card fraud," says Carl Renström at Handelsbanken's Card Services.
Since Handelsbanken introduced chips on its cards, card fraud in Sweden has almost ceased altogether.
"As more and more points of sale have gone over to chip readers, the problems in Sweden have diminished." Instead, fraudsters now use cards in countries that have not yet brought in the new chip technology. "Over 95 percent of the crimes that affect our card customers are commiteed outside Sweden or online," says Carl Renström.
He emphasises that if you have exercised normal caution, you will not lose any money.
"We reimburse our customers, but you can't really compensate for the unpleasant feeling that an unauthorised person has had access to your account."
"Very few customers are affected, but some of our customers who have never been targeted are uneasy, and their concerns are one of the reasons why we are now introducing the new card-locking option. We wish to increase the feeling of security and to give customers themselves more control over their cards."
With a simple mouse-click - or phone call - customers can now unlock their card before going on holiday abroad and then lock it again when they return home. Many Handelsbanken customers already use this approach with the existing locking option for online purchases, opening the card immediately before buying an item, and then locking it again afterwards.
For further information, please contact:
| Carl Renström, head of Handelsbanken Card Services | +46 8 701 6226 |
| Stefan Holes, Handelsbanken Card Services | +46 8 701 4637 |
| Johan Lagerström, press officer Handelsbanken | +46 8 701 1395 |