Secure PIN transactions
More about using your PIN and PIN cards
Read more about secure PIN payments abroad, PIN card fraud and card limits.
Security is ABN AMRO's top priority. If you too would like a secure World Pass bank card, why not take out a Personal Package?
Card limits
- What limits apply to my card?
You can see your card limits using Internet Banking (My Products). When you get a new PIN card, we will send you a letter telling you what limits apply. For more information, please call the Customer Contact Centre on 0900 - 00 24 0900 - 00 24 (€ 0,10 per minuut), or visit an ABN AMRO branch (in Dutch).
For new cards, a limit of € 500.00 applies to cash withdrawals from ATMs. Experience shows that this meets most customers' needs. Old cards currently still have a limit of € 1,000.00. - Can I change the ATM and payment terminal limits on my card?
Where required, for major purchases or holidays for example, your limit can be temporarily increased. Reducing your limits can help mitigate potential losses should your PIN card be misused.
To change your card limits, please visit an ABN AMRO branch or call the Customer Contact Centre on 0900 - 00 24 0900 - 00 24 (€ 0,10 per minuut).
- What are the card limits abroad?
Whilst in principle cash withdrawals made abroad are covered by the same limit as withdrawals made at ABN AMRO, the amount you can withdraw per day from an ATM abroad can always vary from country to country and from bank to bank.
PIN card fraud
- How can I recognise a fake (phishing) website?
If you are not sure you have got the right website in front of you, check the exact internet address of the site. ABN AMRO's URL is http://www.abnamro.nl/ or https://www.abnamro.nl/ (in combination with the certificate). If the address of the site you are on does not match this format, and reads 'abnarmo', for example, your have literally come to the wrong address, and should break the connection with this website immediately. To make sure you go to the right URL, you can always type it in the address bar directly. That way you will avoid being taken to a fake address through a misleading banner or link.
- What is the best way to protect my card?
- Regularly check that your card is still in your possession.
- If you use the card regularly, it is best carried on your person, for example in an inside coat pocket and not in a loose bag.
- Keep your PIN card separate from your other means of payment.
- Ideally you should store your card in a safe or a locked drawer or cupboard.
- Never leave your card unattended where it can be accessed by third parties. A home that has not been properly secured is also considered accessible to third parties.
- Never leave the PIN card in clothing that is left unattended, for example in a restaurant or workplace.
- On holiday, store your PIN card in a safe if possible. Never leave your PIN card in a car, caravan, tent or boat, even if they are locked. Be especially alert at tourist attractions, car parks, on the beach and in other busy places.
- What precautions should I take when changing my PIN?
- Choose a PIN that is easy for you to remember, but which others cannot readily guess. For example, never use your postcode, year of birth or part of your telephone number.
- Never write your PIN down.
- Never store the PIN on your computer or electronic organiser.
- Choose a unique code. Do not use the same code as, for example, your mobile telephone or computer.
- Always keep your PIN secret.
- How can a fraudster obtain my PIN? The PIN is not stored on the card's magnetic stripe, so fraudsters need to try and get it using other techniques. This usually involves some form of deception. The following methods are used commonly in PIN fraud in the Netherlands and abroad:
- Fraudsters impersonate bank staff or postal workers, for example, and try to get you to disclose your PIN (both by telephone and in person).
- Fraudsters look over your shoulder while you enter your PIN (shouldering).
- A 'helpful' person (fraudster) comes to your assistance when you run into difficulties at an ATM. They will suggest that you reinsert the PIN card and/or re-enter the PIN. At the same time they will try to steal or copy your PIN card.
- Fraudsters may install a camera in the illuminated strip, so for this reason, always use your hand to shield the number pad on an ATM or payment terminal as much as you can.
- What is the 'tenner trick'?
The 'tenner trick' is used by fraudsters at ATMs and payment terminals, for example at train station ticket machines. As soon as someone has entered their PIN, a usually well-dressed man or woman informs them that they have dropped a bank note (the 'tenner') on the ground. As the person carrying out the PIN transaction bends over to pick up the bank note, the fraudster quickly switches the PIN card returned by the machine for another PIN card that looks, for all intents and purposes, identical to the original one. Since the fraudster observed the PIN being entered, the stolen PIN card can now be used to make payments and cash withdrawals. The PIN card owner often does not notice the fraud until later on. So always check that the PIN card returned after a transaction is actually yours.
When faced with a situation like the 'tenner trick', do not respond and instead focus on completing the transaction. Only afterwards should you check if you are actually missing a bank note.
- What is skimming?
Skimming involves attempting to copy the contents of a PIN card's magnetic stripe and see the PIN entered. Armed with a copied PIN card and a stolen PIN (obtained, for example, by shouldering) the fraudster is able to withdraw cash and make payments.
In 2004, ABN AMRO became the first bank in the Netherlands to combat skimming by fitting all of its ATMs with a special security opening.
If you have any suspicions about an ATM or payment terminal, do not perform any transactions and notify the facility owner. Take a good look at the ATM's surroundings. Are there any obvious changes? Has a leaflet holder appeared from nowhere? Or perhaps you notice something else that was not there before, for example some other device fitted to the card slot (in addition to the security opening)? In such cases, cancel your PIN transaction and contact the facility owners. A contact telephone number can usually be found on the machine itself.
- How much am I liable for if my PIN card is lost, stolen or misused?
The terms and conditions for use of a PIN card specify your liability in the event of the card being misused. Your liability is limited to € 150.00 per PIN card up to the moment when you report the card as lost or stolen.
You may have a greater liability in cases where you have not (fully) exercised your duty of care, for example by taking too long to report misuse, failure to keep your PIN secret or, in cases of deliberate fraud, excessive debt and negligence. The degree to which your liability will be increased is therefore dependent on the facts surrounding the fraud.
- What should I do in the event of (suspected) misuse of my PIN card following theft or loss?
If your PIN card is (suspected of being) stolen or misused, have it blocked straight away. The PIN card fraud hotline is 0900 - 00 24 0900 - 00 24 (€ 0,10 per minuut). From abroad, dial +31 10 241 17 20 (normal call rates apply). Keep these telephone numbers handy at all times, even while on holiday. Make a note of them in your diary or store them in your mobile telephone.
Long stays abroad do not constitute a valid reason for contacting us (too) late. When abroad, ensure that your PIN card transactions are checked, for example by authorising someone to check your statements on your behalf, or by checking the transactions yourself via Internet Banking. This is essential in avoiding and minimising loss in the event of your card being misused.
Always notify ABN AMRO immediately of any irregular withdrawals and/or payments.
- Wat moet ik doen na het blokkeren van mijn pinpas bij verlies of diefstal?
Theft
If your bank card has been stolen, contact ABN AMRO as soon as possible to have the card blocked and report any loss. You can call either your contact at ABN AMRO or the Customer Contact Centre 0900 - 00 24 (€ 0,10 per minuut). You can also visit any of our branches (in Dutch). After that, report the incident to the police as soon as possible.Loss
There is no need to report a lost bank card to the police after you have arranged for it to be blocked. However, you should report cases to the police where it transpires that the lost card has been used fraudulently. You should also report such cases to ABN AMRO as soon as possible in order to make us aware of potential losses. You can call either your contact at ABN AMRO or the Customer Contact Centre 0900 - 00 24 (€ 0,10 per minuut). You can also visit any of our branches. (in Dutch).Proof of reporting
In the majority of cases, the police will provide you with a copy of the report you gave them. This document will be required by ABN AMRO for any claims processing. If the police did not provide you with a written copy of your report, make a note of when and to which officer you made the report. Always report fraudulent transactions to the bank immediately.
- What is ABN AMRO doing to prevent PIN card fraud? Security is ABN AMRO's top priority. We take a range of measures to ensure that you can use your PIN card as securely as possible, for example the use of CCTV and improved security at ATMs. In fact, all banks are working together closely on such initiatives.
- What should I do if I find someone else's card?
If you find someone else's card, please hand it in at any of our branches. Our staff will then take over.
PIN transactions in the Netherlands and abroad
- How can I use my PIN card to withdraw cash and make payments securely?Have a good look round before withdrawing cash or making a payment. You can also increase security by doing the following:
- Before inserting your PIN card, check that there is nothing suspicious about the ATM. Has a leaflet holder appeared from nowhere? Or perhaps you notice something else that was not there before, for example some unfamiliar device fitted to the card slot (in addition to the security opening)? In such cases, we recommend that you do not perform any transactions. Do not insert your card or enter your PIN. Report the situation to an ABN AMRO branch or by calling the telephone number on the warning sticker affixed to the ATM.
- Always make sure that no one else can see your PIN as you enter it, for example from an elevated position, using mirrors or any other method. Never use an ATM or payment terminal if bystanders or other people in the queue can observe your PIN.
- Always use your hand to shield the number pad on an ATM or payment terminal as much as you can.
- Never allow a 'helpful' person to assist you at an ATM or payment terminal, whether in the Netherlands or abroad.
- Avoid being distracted while paying by PIN. If someone tells you that you have dropped some money on the ground (the 'tenner trick'), you can always pick this up later.
- If the ATM 'swallows' your PIN card unexpectedly and without providing a reason, or if the PIN card appears to get stuck, do not walk away from the ATM and do not allow anyone else to 'help'. Instead, stay where you are and call the number on the warning sticker affixed to the ATM. Request that your PIN card is blocked immediately or follow the instructions given on the ATM screen.
- Always swipe your PIN card through the card reader yourself, whether you are in a shop, at a petrol station or a restaurant. Where this is not possible for practical reasons, always keep your PIN card within sight.
- Where can I perform PIN transactions abroad? You can use your PIN card abroad at all ATMs bearing the Maestro and Cirrus logo. You can pay by PIN abroad at any payment terminal displaying the Maestro logo. The only exceptions to this rule are Bank of Brazil ATMs and ATMs in Cuba. Bank of Brazil ATMs do not currently support cards with the Maestro logo. This means you cannot withdraw cash there using your World Pass bank card. In Cuba, Dutch cards do not work properly in ATMs bearing these logos.
- Payment using a signature instead of a PIN?
Unlike in the Netherlands, you may be able to pay with your PIN card without entering your PIN in particular instances abroad (for example in Italy, Spain, France and Portugal). In such cases, you should sign the transaction slip provided by the salesperson.
Every transaction will, of course, involve a check as to whether your account balance is sufficient. Your PIN card will also be checked to see whether it is blocked. The salesperson is under an obligation to keep the transaction slip. We also recommended that you keep a copy of the transaction slip until the amount has been debited from your account.
- Payment using the chip instead of the magnetic stripe?
In many places abroad (for example France, Germany, Spain and England), a different method of paying and withdrawing cash using your PIN card has already been introduced. Rather than swiping the card's magnetic stripe through the payment terminal, the card has to be inserted into the terminal for the on-board chip to be read. This utilises a new chip technology known as EMV. ABN AMRO has already introduced this new technology at its ATMs in the Netherlands. Where the card is fitted with a new chip, the ATM reads the chip instead of the magnetic stripe. However, you will not notice this.
ABN AMRO has been issuing cards fitted with the new chips since 31 July 2006. You can recognise these cards by the arrow next to the chip. If you do not have one of these yet, you will still be paying using the old method of magnetic stripe and PIN or, in some instances, the magnetic stripe and your signature.
Note: problems can still arise when using ABN AMRO PIN cards fitted with the new chip at ATMs and payment terminals suited for the new chip in Italy. In such cases, it is best to try and withdraw cash from another bank's ATM.
If you want to find out more about the new chip technology, please visit www.vanstripnaarchip.nl (in Dutch).
- How can I obtain cash abroad if I no longer have my PIN card?
Always ensure that you have other means of payment at your disposal. Avoid carrying your PIN card, credit card, travellers cheques and cash together in the same purse or wallet. This way you spread the risk and avoid losing all your means of payment in one go.
ABN AMRO Stand-By Service: if your PIN card is stolen or lost while abroad, the ABN AMRO Stand-By Service (in Dutch) can provide assistance. This insurance and assistance facility is designed for precisely this sort of emergency situation. You can register for it online. Alternatively, you can call us on 0900 - 00 24 (€ 0,10 per minuut) or visit an ABN AMRO branch.
Urgent transfer: if you have not registered for the ABN AMRO Stand-By Service, you can use the 'urgent transfer with availability at the cash desk' facility at a bank abroad. This can be done by over the telephone by calling +31 10 282 07 24 (standard international call rates apply). We will ask for your passport or driving licence number. This number will be quoted on the payment order and will be used by the foreign bank making the payment to verify your identity. Such urgent transfers (in Dutch) will incur costs identical to those used for WorldPay urgent transfers. You can find out more about this and other rates in the summary of personal payment transaction rates (in Dutch).
- *THIS PAGE DOESN’ EXIST: Where can I find tips about secure payments abroad?
For tips about making secure payments abroad, please visit this page.
