Don't worry about using your card

HSBC Bank 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.
When using your HSBC MasterCard and/or HSBC VISA cards, at home or abroad, you'll have the reassurance of our unrivalled global presence.

Security Measures in Place

We have taken all the necessary steps to ensure that you feel secure when using your cards locally and abroad. The following are the most salient actions taken to ensure this;

• CHIP and PIN Technology - The PIN should only be known by you and therefore it is a far more secure identification method than the signature. Keep the PIN secure and never disclose it to third parties to avoid any misuse of your card.
  
• Fraud Monitoring 24*7 - The Bank monitors unusual activity effected with all cards 24*7. If we suspect that a transaction is fraudulent we will try to contact you and verify the transaction before the card is blocked.
  
• SMS Alerts - If you avail yourself of this service, the Bank will send an SMS alert for transactions which the Bank considers unusual. Fraud alerts are FREE and most importantly are not meant to be triggered for all transactions effected with your card. For security reasons the parameters used to trigger such alerts are not divulged.
  
• CVV2 (known as Security Code) - This is the three digit number which can be found at the back of your card. This is usually used for internet purchases. The CVV2 is an added security feature that is validated while the transaction is being processed. The transaction is declined if the wrong CVV is entered.
  
• Card Parameters - These are a set of limits designed to control the frequency and sum of the daily/weekly ATM and purchase transactions, including the maximum amount allowed for one single transaction. These parameters can limit unauthorised use of your card should it be stolen or lost or should you be the victim of a fraud attempt.
  
• Data Security - The card number and expiry date printed on ATM receipts and on the Merchant's receipts are masked to keep card details secure and avoid misuse.
  
• Sharing of Sensitive Data - As a policy, the Bank does not share sensitive information such as transaction details, balances etc. Sensitive data is only provided to customers when such data is requested through secure channels such as Personal Internet Banking or Phone Banking by main cardholders. These measures are taken to avoid disclosure of your personal information to third parties and account take over fraud.
  
• Travel Plans Advice - To avoid having your card blocked while abroad you may call our Call Centre or send us a message through Personal Internet Banking and provide us with your travelling plans. We will make sure to discard any alerts for transactions taking place in the countries you will be visiting.
  
• 24*7 service for Lost/Stolen cards - In the unfortunate instance that your card is lost or stolen, we offer a 24*7 customer assistance service. You can call us on the telephone numbers listed below.
  

Using your Chip & Pin on HSBC Bank Malta EPOS terminals*

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

* These procedures may be slightly different on third party terminals.

Important Notes

If you make a mistake when entering your PIN, press the 'C' button and re-enter your PIN. After three unsuccessful attempts, the Card blocks itself and will have to be replaced. If a retailer hasn't upgraded to CHIP and PIN, you will still be able to use your card. The retailer will swipe the card and you will be requested to sign instead of entering the PIN.

Security Measures you should take to protect your card

1. Make sure to sign your card with a ball pen immediately when you receive it.
2. Do not allow anyone else to use the card.
3. Do not tell anyone your PIN, including the police and/or HSBC Bank Malta p.l.c personnel.
4. Do not keep record of your PIN together with your card even if this is disguised as a telephone number. This can be easily deciphered.
5. Do not disclose card data such as the Card Number and expiry date via email. Ideally ensure that every transaction is conducted in your presence.
6. Make sure that when you enter your personal card details on a payment page over the internet such payment page is secure. Secure sites indicators are the HTTPS:// and the padlock sign amongst others.
7. 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.
8. When you suspect that you have left your card behind somewhere, we strongly suggest that first you report your card as lost to us before trying to search for it, even if you think that you left the Card somewhere 'safe' or familiar. Once the Card is found we may then reactivate it.
9. Discard any emails, letters, telephone calls or SMS messages advising you of any lottery winnings or inheritance as these are normally only an attempt to obtain your personal data and exploit it fraudulently.
10. Go through the terms and conditions, especially the small print before effecting any purchases over the Internet. When trial periods are offered most of the time, if not cancelled within the specified period, a monthly charge is automatically applied.
11. Do not leave your card unattended in a public place such as beaches, clubs etc.
12. We recommend that before effecting a purchase, hotel or car rental reservation over the Internet, you make a search for any reviews or forums related to your preference to confirm whether the merchant can provide what is promised on the website.
13. Do not store your personal card details on your computer or laptop especially PIN or CVV2 details. In addition, you should install an adequate Virus scanner and perform periodical checks for any malware that may be resident on your PC.
14. 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.

Please read the General Terms and Conditions and the Additional Cards Conditions of Use to know your rights and liabilities in connection with the use of your HSBC cards.

Important Phone Numbers