Statistics on the ever-more-popular ec-Karte
In 1998, DM 37 million was spent with the convenient ec-Karte, an impressive thirty-percent hike in the card’s use in one year. The ec-Karte replaces check writing. The customer simply hands the card over to pay for an item and the sum is automatically debited from his or her account. The National Association of German Banks attributes the rising numbers to the card’s acceptance by more and more retailers, from gas stations to McDonald’s. Loss and theft of the card, however, remains a problem. Until recently, customers have had to contend with the laborious task of calling several numbers to get the card cancelled. But now there is one central number for all of Germany: 01805/021021. The call costs 30 pfennig per minute and can be accessed from outside of the country as well, by eliminating the first zero (the same goes for those using a cellular telephone). Cancellation goes into effect immediately and the bank is then liable for any misuse of a stolen card. The bank association suggests taking measures to prevent card thieves from getting to your account. Never make a notation of your PIN number – memorize it. And do keep the above telephone number handy.