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Security rules for using ATM and Credit Cards

Whether you have been victim of fraud or are looking to learn how to protect yourself, this page provides information you should know.

How to protect yourself

Card Security

  • do not allow anyone else to use the card. If a credit or ATM card is taken by a family member (spouse, child, and parent), with or without your knowledge or consent, you are responsible for their purchase or other transactions.
  • do not disclose card related data such as your card number, card expiry date or CVV (the 3-digit code at the back of your card) to third parties, including by email. Remember that the Bank will never ask you to provide your card credentials.
  • do not leave your card unattended, especially when making purchases in restaurants, bars and petrol stations.
  • do not use repetitive or consecutive digits (like 2222, 1234, etc.) or easy to guess personal data (for example birthday, phone number) when changing your PIN.
  • do not keep a record of your PIN together with your card, even if it is disguised as a telephone number. This can be easily deciphered.
  • sign the back side of your card (applicable to credit cards only) with a ball pen after you receive it.

While using the ATM

  • if the ATM you are using does not have a protective shield to cover the number pad, always use your hand as a shield while entering your PIN to keep it a secret.
  • if you realize the ATM has been tampered with, or that there is another device attached to the ATM after you have inserted your card, immediately contact the Bank while still standing at the cash machine if it is safe to do so.
  • be wary of any person offering assistance when you use the ATM, especially if you have not requested such assistance.
  • on completing a transaction, discreetly put your money and card away before leaving the cash machine
  • activate SMS notifications for your ATM card transactions, in order to receive alerts on withdrawals.

While using the card for online transactions

  • before effecting any transaction online, go through the terms and conditions for making a transaction and payment in detail, paying special attention to parts printed in small letters.
  • before effecting a purchase, hotel or car rental reservation online, search for reviews or forums related to the product or service to confirm whether the merchant can provide what is promised on the website.
  • when performing 3D Secure transactions, always check whether the partially hidden mobile number is correct before requesting password details via SMS.
  • always check whether the transaction amount and the merchant are correct in any SMS you may receive notifying you of a transaction.

Remember

  • always check your card statements, especially after travelling. Check the purchase amounts against transaction receipts, as well as transactions made by your ATM card. In case of detecting any unauthorized or invalid transactions, you should immediately notify the Bank.
  • destroy any financial documents, including credit card transaction receipts, ATM transaction records, credit card and Bank statements, once they are no longer needed.
  • ensure the Bank is provided with your up to date contact details before travelling abroad. Particularly your mobile phone number and email address.
  • pay attention to card expiry dates. If your replacement card hasn't arrived, call HSBC to check the situation with your new card.
  • install anti-virus software and keep it up to date to protect you against viruses such a malware, trojans, spyware and adware
  • keep your browser up to date, as modern browser software adds protection against fake websites
  • do not open mails or click on links from unknown sources.

Report fraud

  • immediately report any lost or stolen cards, as well as any suspicions you might have related to a transaction made on your card, to the Bank.
  • if you have a suspicion that your PIN and/or any sensitive information (e.g. card details) is known to someone else, immediately inform the Bank.
  • contact the Bank immediately if somebody on behalf of the Bank asks you to provide your card, PIN or other personal information.

Important note: Upon signing the agreement, card security rules must be provided to the customer by the financial institution.

In case of discrepancies between the Armenian and English versions of this page, the Armenian version shall prevail.

Last updated on: 02.05.22, 04:21

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