With the introduction of the euro and the growth in payment cards, the Commission has been looking closely at the whole system of payment within the EU, with the intention of developing a new legal framework for an EU-wide 'Single Payment Area'. As part of this the Commission has considered the effect on customers when payment cards are lost or stolen.
At present there are many telephone numbers for cancelling lost and stolen cards in Europe. Different numbers often co-exist within the same country, and it is difficult for customers to remember which number they should call.
The proposed solution, known as 'Card Stop Europe', would allow customers to get in touch with their bank from anywhere in the EU using the same number.
The Commission has set up a short on-line questionnaire for citizens to complete by 30th April.