In 2010, ICBC took strong initiatives to participate in the crackdown on bank card crimes jointly started by the Ministry of Public Security and People's Bank of China nationwide. The move aims to better protect the cardholders in the use of their cards and promote the prosperity of bank card industry. Earlier, Ministry of Public Security and People's Bank of China presented honor to ICBC for its outstanding performance in helping the crackdown.
ICBC being the largest bank card issuer in the country is committed to always putting the top priority in protecting cardholders to use their cards safely. Numerous measures are taken under the approach of "Crackdown + Prevention" to protect the benefits of cardholders. One aspect is to work closely with Ministry of Public Security and People's Bank of China in the crackdown of bank card crimes. Organized gangs and law breakers have been brought to justice. The efforts bring order and clean up the bank card market. Another aspect is to spend tenuous efforts on internal measures. Comprehensive practices and processes, launch of chip cards, education on using cards safely represent a batch of effective measures in a bid to improve the management of bank card business, raise card users' awareness in using card safely and leave no room for law breakers, ICBC's aggressive promotion on chip card is based on the chip card's strong encryption and high anti-forgery protection. ICBC holds on to top spot in chip card R&D, industry partnership and card issuance scale. Under the approval of People's Bank of China, ICBC issued the first smart chip card in China as early as in 1995 and the first chip credit card by the year-end 2005. In 2009, ICBC moved again to be the first bank among the peers to promote chip cards in the country. The Bank has issued more than 9 million chip cards of different types by the year-end 2010. 95% of 450,000 POS accepting "magnetic stripe + chip" card lays a solid foundation for the prevalent use of chip cards. Continual promotion campaigns are launched to reach out to cardholders and inform them how to safely use their cards, serving as the best effective mean to protect themselves against bank card crimes. ICBC achieved good result in 2010's Public Education Service Day organized by China Banking Regulatory Commission on educating the customers and public about safe and secure use of bank cards.
During the interview, ICBC executive mentioned some safety tips. I. When using your card at ATM, hide your hand while entering your PIN number. Do not believe the announcement or telephone call asking customer to transfer money to a specified account and report to police immediately. When ATM swallows your card or no cash coming out, call ICBC nationwide service hotline at the place in order not to leave any chance for law breakers.
II. When paying with your card, never let it be taken out of your sight. Pay attention the number of times that the cashier authorizes your card. Avoid any monetary loss because of error or extra authorization. Make sure no one can see you enter your PIN number. Check the amount of the purchase slip and keep the receipt in a safe place.
III. When using your card online, choose websites with good reputation and long business establishment for online payment. Use your certificate (USB-Shield) as much as possible. Beware of any email or bank website asking for bank card number or password because of exception account activities or bank system upgrade. When making online transactions in overseas website, call ICBC customer service hotline to apply for online transaction. Close the function immediately after the transaction. If necessary, sign up authentication service for overseas transactions through secure way.
IV. Do not entrust someone or illegal intermediary agency to apply for credit card. The purpose is to lower the risk of your personal particulars and bank card from being stolen. Do not leave your card at any place, don't even lend or mortgage to others. Safeguard the card No., validity period and verification code of your credit card. They are important.
The ICBC executive also suggests keeping the bank informed immediately if there is any change in the telephone, statement address and postal code given so that the bank can contact you anytime. Customers can also sign up service like SMS alert for account balance change to know the latest balance. If your card is lost or stolen, call customer service hotline immediately. Report to police at once if the amount of your lost/stolen card is used, and contact the Bank as soon as possible to apply for stop payment.