Card safety

Using your Business cards safely

If your business has a bank card, you need to know how to use it safely.

Paying by debit or credit card can help to protect your money if something goes wrong.

This can be safer than paying direct to a bank account, which is like handing over cash.

Before you make a payment like this, make sure it’s genuine and the payment details are right.

Using your Business cards safely

If your business has a bank card, you need to know how to use it safely.

Paying by debit or credit card can help to protect your money if something goes wrong.

This can be safer than paying direct to a bank account, which is like handing over cash.

Before you make a payment like this, make sure it’s genuine and the payment details are right.

What do I need to know?

  • If you or a colleague has to pay using a card machine, follow these steps:

    • Hold on to your card - Nobody should ever have to take your card away.
    • Go to a till - If you don’t want to wait for a card machine to come to you, pay at a till.
    • Touch and go - You don’t have to use your PIN with Contactless or a phone app. It’s quick and safe to pay this way.
    • Hide your PIN - Shield the keypad so no one can see what you enter
  • If you can, use a cash machine inside a bank branch. It’s safer and can give you more privacy.

    Keep an eye out for people looking over your shoulder. You don’t want to let anyone stand close enough to see your PIN.

    If someone offers to help you use your card, put it away and leave. This is a scam to get your PIN or steal your card.

  • If your business has more than one bank card, each one will have its own card number and PIN.

    Every card holder must always know where their bank card is. They should never share the PIN or card details, even with other colleagues.

    Memorise your PIN to protect it. If you write it down, it’s easier to steal and can let someone else use the card.

    If you believe someone knows your PIN, change it right away. You can do this at a Lloyds Bank Cashpoint®.

  • If your business uses a merchant services provider to accept and process card payments, follow these tips to stay safe:

    • Use 3D secure - This can help protect against fraudulent payments.
    • Review high-risk payments - If your merchant services provider flags a payment, make sure your business knows how to review it.
    • Keep Chip & PIN machines secure - Have a safe place to store your machines so nobody can tamper with them.
    • Protect cardholder details - You must keep these details secure as stated by the card payment industry. Only allow key colleagues access to these details.
    • Follow merchant security guidance - Your merchant services provider will have detailed security guidance. Make sure colleagues know and follow this guidance.
  • When you bank online, you may need to use a code with your card reader. 

    These codes allow you to make a payment or to carry out other actions.

    We'll never get in touch to ask you for a code. Only fraudsters do this.

    NEVER share a code with anyone who calls. 

    This will help to protect your account.

    Learn how to protect your business from scam calls

Learn about other scams and how to protect your business