Frequently Asked Questions

More and more customers are using the Internet, in order to shop online or make online payments. However, fraudsters also use the Internet and by dispatching “phishing emails”, derived from the words “password” and “fishing”, they trick recipients into disclosing sensitive customer data which they can then abuse for their own purposes. These professionally arranged emails allege, for instance, a blocking of your bank or credit cards in order to prompt bank clients into entering data, e.g. their card number, their CVC code or even their 3D SecureCode. By entering these codes, the credit card should become unblocked.

We strongly advise you against revealing any personal data: No bank would ever ask you to reveal confidential personal data in this manner! We kindly request you to never reveal any personal information due to such emails under any circumstances!

Please forward this email to us immediately (antiphishing@ge.com) and delete it afterwards without answering it.

Here are some recommendations to make secure online purchases:

Prior to placing an order

Avoid public computers for placing an order by means of your credit card. As data can end up in the buffer, it may be abused by the next user.

Protect your PC with up-to-date antivirus software and a firewall.

While placing an order

When shopping online, always check the terms and conditions of the dealer before entering your credit card data and completing your order.

Note: Access to chargeable Internet contents is often connected with subscriptions. Observe the mentioned terms of notice. Reclaims can be made valid only after terminating the subscription within the stipulated deadline.

After placing an order

When returning goods or cancelling hotel bookings, always keep all vouchers, emails, post office or courier receipts, supporting your complaint in case of any discrepancies as well as reclaims that may occur.

GE Money Bank credit cards are equipped with the latest-generation chip technology which provides enhanced protection against credit card abuse. This technology enables you to identify yourself by means of your PIN code, to authorise the transaction. The PIN replaces your signature in an ever increasing number of cash terminals.

Also, when making bookings over the Internet, our credit cards have the most modern security standards. Both the three-digit security code (CVC) and the 3D SecureCode, personally selected by the cardholder, minimise the risk of fraudulent transactions over the Internet.

In order to prevent abuses with your credit card, we kindly ask you to consider the following recommendations:

• Sign your card immediately upon receipt on the signature strip provided on the reverse.
• Change the PIN you received by separate mail at an ATM. Do not select easily identifiable combinations such as telephone numbers, dates of birth or license plate numbers.
• Always keep your card in a safe place and never give the card or the card number to anybody else.
• Treat your credit card like cash and never write down your PIN code anywhere. In particular not on the back of your credit card!!
• Check whether there are any incorrect transactions on your monthly credit card bills. Should you think that a debit is incorrect, notify us by immediately calling 044 439 40 20. Do likewise when discovering suspicious transactions in your e-service account.

In the event of loss or theft, you have to have your card immediately blocked by calling 044 439 40 20. This is a round the clock service. Should you be abroad, you can contact us by calling +41 44 439 40 20.

Credit card abuse means the illegal use of credit cards by unauthorized third parties. Examples of card abuse include:

• Card data saved on the magnetic strip is illegally copied when you use your card. With the help of this data, a cloned copy can be produced which then can be used locally. Alternatively, fraudsters use this data to make online bookings.
• Your card data may also be stolen while you make an Internet transaction. Using this information, third parties can make their own Internet transactions.
• Ever more frequently, fraudsters make use „phishing emails“, where the cardholder is prompted into disclosing sensitive credit card data. This can be used to make fraudulent Internet transactions.

Fortunately, fraud case probability is very low given the amount of all credit card transactions. Provided the cardholder has complied with the General Terms and Conditions (checking the monthly bill, keeping the PIN code secret, blocking the card in the event of loss, etc.), GE Money Bank AG shall assume responsibility for loss or damage resulting from abuse of the card by third parties.

• After receiving your credit card, sign it immediately on the reverse.
• Write down the emergency number and keep it separate from the card.
• Treat your credit card like cash and never write down your PIN code anywhere.
• Never disclose your credit card data (card number, expiry date, CVC, PIN code, 3D SecureCode) for information purposes.
• Never answer emails in which you were asked for credit card related data. No respectable financial institution would request such sensitive data in this manner.
• When shopping online, always check the terms and conditions of the dealer before entering your credit card data and completing your order.
• Do not place any orders on public computers with your credit card. As data can end up in the buffer, it may be abused by the next user.
• Pay with your credit card only when dealing with respectable providers. Print out the order or memorise the Internet address. Keep all documents.

A specialised fraud team takes preventive action against abuse. With the help of most modern systems, potentially suspicious bookings can be identified and analysed. Unless the suspicion of fraud is confirmed, the customer is contacted by telephone or in writing and asked to examine the relevant bookings. Additionally, the constant exchange of information between credit card issuers, commercial banks and MasterCard ensures that data larceny is often recognised at an early stage. Therefore, cards with increased fraud risk can be blocked at an early stage, preventing illegal bookings.

Credit cards are immediately replaced free of charge in the event of confirmed fraud cases and increased fraud risk.