As of: March 17, 2024, 8:42 p.m
By: Annika Ketzler
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If debit or credit cards expire, they must be disposed of correctly.
What many people don't know, however, is that incorrect disposal can result in a fine.
Hamm - EC cards and credit cards have an expiry date.
As this gets closer and closer, consumers will receive a new chip card.
But what to do with the old map?
There is a special rule when disposing of debit and credit cards that many people are not aware of.
If this is ignored, it can be expensive.
EC cards and credit cards contain an electronic microchip.
The
Sparkasse
explains that they are classified as electrical appliances according to the Electrical and Electronic Equipment Act.
For this reason, the symbol of a crossed-out garbage can can be found on the map or on the associated documents.
This means that it is forbidden to dispose of a card with a chip in household waste, i.e. in the black or yellow bin as well as in the recycling bin or even in a normal rubbish bin,
writes
wa.de.
How do you properly dispose of an old debit or credit card?
The
savings bank
explains: “Instead, hand it in at a collection point for electrical appliances that will recycle the product.”
Consumers can ask the city or local government where the nearest collection point is.
Some supermarkets and electronics stores often have collection points for small electrical appliances at the entrances.
Some banks also indicate on their websites that old EC cards can be returned to the branch.
However, it is important in advance to protect the expired card from misuse by third parties.
The sensitive information on and in the card should therefore be made unrecognizable before handing it over to a collection point.
This can be done, for example, by shredding the card in a document shredder.
Alternatively, scissors can also be used.
However, consumers should be careful to destroy the chip and magnetic strip and to obscure all readable personal data such as name, IBAN, credit card number and security code.
An old debit or credit card does not belong in the household waste.
© Imago
If EC and credit cards are disposed of incorrectly, you may be fined
And what happens if you don't dispose of the card correctly?
Consumers can ultimately be fined for this.
Focus Online
explains: According to the catalog of fines, the amount of possible fines depends heavily on the federal state in which the person affected lives.
“Particularly in Hesse and Thuringia, violations can theoretically result in fines of up to 2,500 euros,” explains the news magazine.
In Hesse, between 150 and 2500 euros are due.
In North Rhine-Westphalia you will be asked to pay 50 to 150 euros if you dispose of it incorrectly.
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