Monday 23 April 2012

Towards secure internet payments

On 11 April 2012 the European Central Bank (ECB) endorsed for public consultation the "Recommendations for the security of internet payments" that apply to the retail payments. By issuing these Recommendations the European authorities hope to increase consumers' trust in internet payments and to combat payment fraud. These Recommendations are applicable to all internet payment service providers (PSPs) as defined in the Payment Service Directive, whether such payments are done by means of the execution of card payments online or credit transfers on the internet. The method of implementation of these Recommendations will depend on national legal systems, but the creators of Recommendations promise to try to ensure consistency across Member States.

Comments on the draft of the Recommendations are welcomed by 20 June 2012. If further information is needed, the national central banks and national supervisors of PSPs serve as contact points regarding the Recommendations. All received comments will be published online unless a restriction to the contrary is made by the author of the comments (Consultation announcement).