With the introduction of the euro and the growth in payment
cards, the Commission has been looking closely at the whole system
of payment within the EU, with the intention of developing a new
legal framework for an EU-wide 'Single Payment Area'. As part of
this the Commission has considered the effect on customers when
payment cards are lost or stolen.
At present there are many telephone numbers for cancelling lost
and stolen cards in Europe. Different numbers often co-exist within
the same country, and it is difficult for customers to remember
which number they should call.
The proposed solution, known as 'Card Stop Europe', would allow
customers to get in touch with their bank from anywhere in the EU
using the same number.
The Commission has set up a short on-line questionnaire for
citizens to complete by 30th April.
