Frequently asked questions concerning the HFT201 POS terminal
Specific questions relating to the HFT201 inspection exercise
POS terminal broken/technical question
Something has gone wrong with my HFT201. Who do I need to contact?
For repairs and maintenance you should contact your regular POS terminal supplier. Since the HFT201 is sold and maintained by dealers we are unable to say who your supplier will be.
POS terminal interfered with
I think my POS terminal has been interfered with. What should I do?
Report the matter to Equens (formerly Interpay), +31 30 283 65 55. You should also report the matter to the police if there has been a break-in, for example. Discontinue using the POS terminal.
POS terminal stolen
POS terminal has been stolen. What should I do?
Report the matter to Equens (formerly Interpay), +31 30 283 65 55, and also to the police.
HFT312
I have received a letter about the HFT201 POS terminal but I have an HFT312. Does the letter also apply to me?
The model number HFT312 relates to that part of the terminal which is operated by the merchant (the merchant unit). HFT201 or PS201 is the model number of the part of the terminal used by your customers to enter their PIN code (the PIN pad). The two parts belong together. The letter also applies to your POS terminal.
Other types of POS terminal
I don’t have an HFT201 but a different POS terminal. Do I also need to take extra precautions?
If you have a different type of POS terminal from the HFT201 you do not have to take any special action in order to accept PIN transactions safely and securely, as long as you observe the requirements for positioning POS terminals, of course. They can be found on www.pin.nl | Postioning of POS terminal. Your PIN contract with your bank may also contain specific requirements which you should comply with.
Bank knows nothing about it
According to the letter from Currence about the HFT201, that I should contact contact my bank if I have any problems. They claim to know nothing about this at the bank, however. What happens now?
Ask to speak to the payment system specialist at your bank. He or she should know what the situation is or know who to contact for the required information.
Bank refers me to Currence
I got in touch with my bank about my HFT201 POS terminal. They referred me to Currence.
Your contract for the use of the POS terminal to accept PIN transactions is with your bank. Get in touch with your bank again and ask to speak to the payment system specialist. He or she should know what the situation is or know who to contact for the required information.
Currence security measures followed
I have taken security precautions with respect to my POS terminals as been made mandatory in the flyer from Currence. Who do I need to tell?
There is no requirement to report this fact. In some cases, however, your bank will contact you to confirm that you have taken the necessary action. Currence will be visiting you to check that the necessary action has been taken.
What sort of self-adhesive label do I have to use?
How do I obtain the self-adhesive labels for labelling my POS terminal, as required by the Currence security standards?
No specific labels are stipulated but you should use one which is difficult to remove and you should make it unique by, for example, adding the signature of the shop manager. Stick to label to the terminal in a position that will show whether the unit has been opened. You should check each day that your terminal has not been tampered with.
Extra security precautions
What else can I do to guarantee the safety and security of PIN payments in my shop?
If you have a network of POS terminals in your shop or shops, you can use a LAN-Alert, a software product for PCs which will record any irregularities relating to the POS terminals. For example, whenever a terminal is connected or disconnected, this will be recorded by the LAN-Alert. This log will show straightaway whether a terminal has been interfered with. LAN-Alert is obtainable from HFT201 dealers and from EFT Systems: www.eftsystems.nl
You can also make use of ordinary security systems such as an alarm system with movement sensors in order to detect any suspicious activity in the vicinity of a POS terminal. Another sound piece of advice is to keep the terminal under lock and key when not in use.
No security system/only simple security systems
My shop does not have a sophisticated intruder alarm/only has a simple security system for detecting break-ins. How can I prevent my POS terminal from being interfered with?
You can keep your POS terminal under lock and key outside opening hours, for example in a safe. Label your POS terminal as a precaution against it being swapped. Check each day that nothing about your POS terminal has been changed and check that it has not been tampered with, especially following a break-in if nothing has been stolen.
Selecting new terminal
Where can I find information on selecting a new, secure POS terminal?
You will find this information on www.betaalterminal.nl. Your bank and your cash register supplier will also often be able to recommend a suitable terminal.
Dispensation
I applied to my bank for dispensation and now I read that this will no longer be granted.
Owing to the continuing fraud involving this type of POS terminal, the HFT201 cannot continue to be used beyond 30 June 2008 and may only be used in the intervening months if the Currence security standards are strictly adhered to. The risk of fraud with this equipment is unacceptably high.
Mandatory security measures
Why have the security measures been made mandatory?
The security measures have been made mandatory because they offer the only way of preventing fraud. If the measures are properly implemented, you will be able to discover immediately that your POS terminal has been interfered with if there has been any actual or attempted fraud. By taking the required measures you can prevent 'skimming' activities.
Security measures not implemented
What will hapen if I do not implement any security measures?
If you fail to take security measures and 'skimming' is perpetrated on your premises, it is your customers who will suffer. Moreover, the image of your business will be seriously tarnished, with the result that customers will go elsewhere and you will lose sales. Banks will reimburse your customers for their losses but, because you failed to implement the mandatory security measures, they will be able to recover the amounts from you. The total amount concerned could be so large as to jeopardise the continued existence of your business.
Fraud perpetrated despite security measures
What happens if I do implement the security measures but 'skimming' still takes place?
The recommended measures (making your terminal identifiable and carrying out daily checks) are sufficient to detect attempts at fraud in relation to all known cases of interference with terminals. If, despite the precautions, 'skimming' does take place on your premises, this may mean that all the measures were not properly implemented. The effect is the same as not taking any action at all. If 'skimming' is perpetrated on your premises, it is your customers who will suffer. Moreover, the image of your business will be seriously tarnished, with the result that customers will go elsewhere and you will lose sales. Banks will reimburse your customers for their losses but, because you failed to implement the mandatory security measures, they will be able to recover the amounts from you. The total amount concerned could be so large as to jeopardise the continued existence of your business.
Accelerated replacement of POS terminals less than five years old
The letter from Currence refers to accelerated replacement of POS terminals less than five years old. Where can I find more information about this accelerated replacement programme and can I avail myself of it, too?
Merchants with a POS terminal that has not yet been in service for its useful life of five years will shortly be receiving information about accelerated replacement from Stichting Bevorderen Efficiënt Betalen and Platform Detailhandel Nederland among other organisations.
Low-cost replacement POS terminals
What is the cheapest POS terminal that will replace an HFT201?
This depends on your particular business and your requirements. You can find more information on the cheapest solution and also on the best solution for your POS terminal requirements at www.betaalterminal.nl.
POS terminal not replaced by June 30, 2008
What will happen if my POS terminal has not been replaced by June 30, 2008?
The POS terminal will simply cease to function for PIN. If this is going to cause you insuperable problems as regards accepting payments, we advise you to contact your bank. Even if you have ordered a new POS terminal but it has not been installed by June 30, 2008, you should still contact your bank.
Other solutions besides a replacement POS terminal
Is there another solution besides replacing the POS terminal, on account of the expense?
No, this is not an option. More information on new and secure POS terminals can be found on www.betaalterminal.nl. Your bank and cash register supplier will also often be able to advise you on the right choice.
Security measures
What are the security measures?
The leaflet containing security measures can be found on www.pin.nl. When you are inspected, your inspector will also be able to leave you a copy of the security leaflet.
Specific questions relating to the HFT201 inspection exercise
Recognise Currence employees
How will I be able to recognise bona fide Currence employees when they come to carry out the HFT201 security measure checks?
The inspectors will be wearing mid-length dark blue coats with the PIN logo front and back. They will also have a silver-coloured bag with them, also bearing the PIN logo. In addition, Currence employees will be able to show you an ID card. If you have any doubts, you can always call 0343 59 60 18.
Cancel the inspection visit, terminal will be replaced shortly
Next week, someone is supposed to be coming to inspect my HFT201, but this terminal has already been replaced by a different one. Can I cancel the inspection visit?
The inspectors will be wearing mid-length dark blue coats with the PIN logo front and back. They will also have a silver-coloured bag with them, also bearing the PIN logo. In addition, Currence employees will be able to show you an ID card. If you have any doubts, you can always call 0343 59 60 18.
Cancel the inspection visit, terminal will be replaced shortly
A replacement POS terminal is on order and the supplier is coming to install it shortly. Can I cancel the inspection visit?
No, unfortunately that is not possible. You will, however, be able to advise the inspector accordingly and he or she will be able to make a note in the reporting system.
Business will be closed
My business will be closed during the week scheduled for the inspection.
You should call 0343 59 60 18. An attempt will be made to reschedule the visit for a later date.
Adress details not correct
The address details on the letter were not correct. How do I update the system with the correct address details?
If you want to change your contact details, such as name and address, you should communicate the changes (in writing) to the party with which you took out a contract. In most cases, this will be your bank, but it may also be a PSP (payment service provider).
Inspection HFT201 at trade fairs
Are merchants who use an HFT201 as a mobile terminal at trade fairs also going to be inspected?
Basically, there is no such thing as a ‘mobile’ HFT201 POS terminal. An HFT201 terminal may, however, be registered to the address of a merchant who uses it in that way. In that case, the inspection will take place as normal.
If you cannot find the answer to your question in this list, you should contact your bank.