Bancherul - BANCI / ENGLISH / Bancpost blocks cards following attempted fraud

Bancpost blocked withdrawals from Millenium debit cards at ATMs last weekend, after the bank detected a large number of incidents of attempted fraud.

Bancpost did not specify how many cards were affected by this measure, only saying that their number was "significant". The bank offers these cards as part of salary payment agreements concluded with companies, but there is no information available on the number of units issued.

Bancpost is one of the oldest players on the card market, and holds a significant share, however, no recent information on the size of this market is available.

This is the toughest measure taken by a local bank in the wake of attempted fraud. Bancpost clients were targeted by phishing at the beginning of last week, with cardholders being asked to reveal personal identification data (card number and PIN code).

"Since an increase in the number of suspect transactions was noticed in the Easter Holidays, involving Millenium salary cards, Bancpost suspended cash withdrawal from ATMs for cards affected by fraud suspicions," according to a press release issued by Bancpost on Thursday night. Bank representatives did not wish to provide further details, given that there is currently a police investigation underway.