Chip and PIN Technology

HSBC Bank Credit Cards give you a fast, convenient and reliable way to pay for your purchases or withdraw money, 24 hours a day, wherever you happen to be. But that’s not all. At home and abroad, you’ll have the reassurance of our unrivalled global presence.

Our Classic Credit Cards

We issue Classic credit cards from major Card Schemes. Get your card today and start enjoying the following benefits:

• Instant purchasing power in over 3,600 outlets in Malta and in millions of others worldwide.
• Up to 56 days interest free credit on purchases if you pay your whole balance in full and on time.
• Cash withdrawals from any ATM in Malta and Gozo and also when you are abroad.
• Security.
• Convenience.

Chip & Pin

And with the introduction of Chip & PIN technology on our cards you can enjoy that extra peace of mind.

Chip…..

Your new Chip & PIN debit card has a silver Chip on the front left side - this is the latest technology.

Chip technology has been proven to hinder and deter card fraud. It’s harder to copy or alter than a normal Card that only has a magnetic strip and so helps safeguard against counterfeiting. We use specially encoded data within the Chip which, when used with a PIN, makes it more secure

….and PIN

Entering a 4-digit PIN when making a purchase at a point of sale is much more secure than signing your name. The new system is checked by technology rather than read by the human eye, and it cannot be forged - unlike your signature. There's no need to worry about entering a PIN into a Chip & PIN terminal as it will not be logged or recorded in any way.

Working together Chip & PIN technology provides a simple method of identifying the Card and that the person using it is the rightful owner.

Using your Chip & Pin

What will happen at point of sale? When you're ready to pay with your Chip & PIN Card you will find that Chip & PIN terminals come in different shapes and sizes.

Some terminals may be fixed in one location or built into a counter, while others may be hand held to make payment more convenient, like those found in restaurants. Regardless of what the terminal looks like, the process will be similar:

• The retailer/you will insert the Card into the Chip & PIN terminal
• The retailer will enter the amount of the transaction
• You will then be asked to check and agree with the amount on display
• To confirm the amount, you will be asked to key in your PIN
• Your PIN will not be displayed, instead you will see asterisks (****) on the display

If you make a mistake, press the ''C'' button and re-enter your PIN. After three unsuccessful attempts, the Card blocks itself and will have to be replaced

Your PIN will not be printed on the receipt and will not be recorded in any way.It's very simple - instead of signing your name you key in a PIN. Once you get used to the new system you'll find that it's a lot faster

Take care when entering your PIN. Whatever type of terminal the retailer provides, make sure that nobody has a clear view of the key pad when you are keying in your PIN. Always shield the key pad from view. Just like when using an ATM be vigilant when entering your PIN. If a retailer hasn't upgraded to Chip & PIN, you will still be able to sign as you do now.

Withdrawing cash

Withdrawing money from an ATM is easy. All you need to do is:

• Insert your card in the card slot.
• Enter your 4 digit PIN (Personal Identification Number).
• Select the amount you want to withdraw.
• Take your card and cash.

Some charges apply when you use your credit cards to withdraw money locally or abroad. You will also be immediately charged interest on the amount withdrawn using credit cards.

Security measures to protect your Card

• Do not disclose sensitive Card data such as CVV2, PIN, Card Number, Expiry Date, etc., especially via email;Ideally ensure that every transaction is conducted in your presence;
  
• Be wary from any persons offering assistance when you use the ATM, especially if you have not requested such assistance and the persons are not Bank employees;
  
• When you suspect that you have left your Card behind somewhere, we strongly suggest that first you report the Card as lost to us before trying to search for the Card, even if you think that you left the Card somewhere 'safe' or familiar. Once the Card is found we may then reactivate it;
  
• Always check the entries on your statement for possible processing errors that may have unintentionally occurred at the time of the transaction. Please note that the Bank does not check your statement.