Amsterdam, 5 February 2007.  In line with its regulations, Currence has decided actively to disconnect the remaining Telepas payment terminals. The security certificates for these debit card (PIN) payment terminals have not been valid since 1 January 2007. Businesses which had placed an order for a new payment terminal by 1 February and have notified their bank of this will not be disconnected (even after 1 February 2007).

In recent months, a large number of businesses have made great efforts to replace the Telepas payment terminals with new and secure equipment. However, it is estimated that 1,500 businesses have not ordered a new payment terminal despite a month’s postponement, several reminders from their banks, terminal suppliers and representative organisations and extensive media attention. Their customers will not be able to make debit card payments from today.

The actual disconnection was delayed by a month at the request of the joint retailers institutions, consisting of the Platform Detailhandel Nederland, Koninklijke Horeca Nederland and the Verenigde Nederlandse Petroleum Industrie.

Disconnected businesses who still want to allow their customers to pay by debit card must immediately order a certified payment terminal from a terminal supplier. Businesses may use that order to request a dispensation from their bank up to 20 February that will allow them to use their old Telepas until the new terminal has been connected.

In the next few years, other types of payment terminal whose security certificates have expired will have to replaced. Businesses can see on
www.betaalterminal.nl  when it is their equipment’s turn, so that they can take the necessary action.