GeoControl at a glance

Austrian banks generally apply very high security standards for debit cards. However, one of the most common and growing forms of misuse is so-called "skimming". In this case, the magnetic strip of the card is copied at manipulated ATMs and the PIN code is spied out. The stolen data is then used to make cash withdrawals outside Europe.

Questions & answers

What is GeoControl?

GeoControl is a security function which provides enhanced protection of your debitcard against misuse outside Europe.
For security reasons, cash withdrawals at ATMs outside Europe will not be possible automatically.

How do I benefit from GeoControl?
  • Enhanced security – preventing cash withdrawals with skimmed cards (“skimming” is the copying of card data at an ATM and transferring the data to another card) in high-risk countries.
  • GeoControl reduces inconveniences and time-consuming measures such as reporting misuse to the police, notifying the bank of any loss, having the card blocked, etc.
  • No need to order a new card and memorise a new code.
  • Authorising worldwide card usage is convenient, easy, fast and possible at any time.
What will change for me with the GeoControl function?

If you are planning to travel outside Europe and wish to withdraw cash up to your card limit without restriction, please authorise the usage of your debitcard before you leave by deactivating the GeoControl function for the period of your stay broad. 

How can I authorise the use of the card for cash withdrawals in countries outside Europe?
  • Via 24You, the Online banking of Bank Austria under “Cards & Services – Debitcards” in the display of details of the selected card.
  • Via our 24h ServiceLine 050505-25 (from abroad: +43 50505-25), available every day around the clock.
  • With the assistance of your relationship manager. 
What is skimming?

Skimming is the term used for copying data of the magnetic stripe of a debitcard at manipulated ATMs and spying out the PIN.
Fraudsters can use the stolen data to misuse the card and make cash withdrawals outside Austria. 

What is the bank's charge for the GeoControl function?

 The GeoControl function is available free of charge. 

In which countries can I use my debitcard without authorising its use?
You can use your debitcard without restriction in the following countries and territories without having to deactivate GeoControl. 
Albania French Guiana Latvia Romania
Andorra Georgia Liechtenstein Russia
Armenia Germany Lithuania San Marino
Austria Gibraltar Luxembourg Serbia
Azerbaijan Great Britain Macedonia Slovakia
Belarus Greece Malta Slovenia
Belgium Greenland Martinique Spain
Bosnia and Herzegovina Guadeloupe Moldova St Helena
Bulgaria Hungary Monaco Sweden
Croatia Iceland Montenegro Switzerland
Cyprus Ireland Netherlands Tajikistan
Czech Republic Israel Northern Ireland Turkey
Denmark Italy Norway Turkmenistan
Estonia Kazakhstan Poland Ukraine
Finland Kosovo Portugal Uzbekistan
France Kyrgyzstan Réunion Vatican City

 

Where can I see whether the GeoControl function of my debitcard is active or deactivated?

You can see whether the GeoControl function is active for the relevant card in 24You, under “Cards & Services – Debitcards” in the display of details of the selected card

How can I reactivate the GeoControl function via Online banking?

You can activate the GeoControl function of the relevant card via 24You, under “Cards & Services – Debitcards” in the display of details of the selected card. 

For how long can the GeoControl function be deactivated?

For your own security, the GeoControl function can be suspended for a maximum period of three months. If you stay abroad for a longer period of time, you will have to repeat the deactivation process after 3 months.
Please contact your relationship manager if you stay abroad for a longer period. 

How can I block the use of the debitcard for cash withdrawals in a specific country?

The GeoControl function is reactivated automatically when the “end date” is reached. Alternatively, you can reactivate GeoControl at any time even before the date which has been set.

Links & Downloads

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