Blocking emergency number 116 116 marks 20 years of service
The blocking emergency number 116 116, operated by EURO Kartensysteme GmbH, has provided a quick and reliable way to block lost or stolen payment cards and digital identifiers for two decades.
The emergency number 116 116 for blocking payment cards and other digital identifiers has been operational for 20 years, providing a critical service for consumers in Germany. Operated by EURO Kartensysteme GmbH, the service allows individuals to quickly block items such as girocards, credit cards, and SIM cards if they are lost or stolen.
Launched in 2005 with political backing, the service has grown to include nearly all banks and savings banks, most credit card issuers, and major mobile network operators. Sandra Königstein, CEO of EURO Kartensysteme GmbH, highlighted the continuous, uninterrupted operation of the service as a cornerstone of consumer trust over the past two decades.
Königstein noted a shift in the threat landscape, with criminals increasingly relying on psychological manipulation and social engineering rather than solely technical attacks. Despite the rise of sophisticated fraud methods, she emphasized that the combination of a physical card and its PIN remains a significant vulnerability, often compromised through methods like shoulder surfing.
The utilization of the service has seen a steady increase, with 1.7 million calls recorded in the past year, up from 1.3 million in 2018. Awareness of the 116 116 number has also grown considerably. EURO Kartensysteme GmbH has continued to develop the service, introducing the "SperrApp" which allows users to securely store their card details for faster blocking in emergencies.