OREANDA-NEWS. December 18, 2009. It is not possible for all SEB cardholders to restrict the use of their cards abroad or on the Internet, reported the press-centre of SEB.

Clients can block and restore card rights on the Internet Bank themselves, which allows them to protect themselves against possible misuses of their cards.

“Adding this right makes it possible for clients to determine how and where their cards can be used. If a client does not buy goods and services on the Internet every day, then it would be better to block this function. Also, clients who do not travel abroad very often have no reason to keep the option of foreign card payments open. When the client finds that they need to use one of these functions, they can easily restore it in the Internet Bank," said Riho Unt, member of the Management Board of SEB and Head of Retail Banking.

Even the most careful card user can fall victim to misuse of their card. Card data can be copied and criminals can also get hold of important data by listening to transactions or through the carelessness of service providers. For example, there was a major leak of credit card details in Spain this year, which led to fraudulent transactions for clients in Estonia as well. The new options introduced by the bank allow its clients who use them reasonably to avoid such situations. Foreign and Internet payments are permitted for all bankcards by default.

In addition to the addition of new rights, clients can also change the other details of their debit and credit cards, including limits, in the Internet Bank easily and free of charge. A service charge is only applied to the amendment of credit card limits as set out in the general price list of SEB.

SEB issues all widely used debit and credit cards, including charge cards. Clients can select Visa or MasterCard, which are both card brands accepted almost everywhere in the world.