Card Security Prevention Initiative: Between conscious caution and
convenient habit
Why card users feel safe but are not always well protected
Card payments are part of everyday life – in shops, on the go or online. But despite a widespread sense of security, one in six people in Switzerland is a victim of card fraud. A new study commissioned by the Card Security prevention initiative shows where knowledge is available – and where there is still room for improvement.
One in six respondents (16%) reported having already been affected by card fraud. The 30 to 39 and 50 to 59 age groups are particularly affected – groups that use cards very actively. However, no clear risk profile can be identified: age, income or level of education are not reliable indicators of the likelihood of becoming a victim of card fraud.
Noteworthy: One third of those affected cannot say exactly how the fraud occurred. This suggests that despite widespread awareness of terms such as ‘phishing’ (92% say they are familiar with the term), concrete connections and preventive measures are not always in place. As a result, the sense of security often remains abstract – and security gaps go undetected.
Credit and debit cards are everyday companions for the majority of the population. Most users feel particularly secure when paying in shops using a PIN or contactless technology. There is significantly less trust in digital payment methods: mobile payments and online card payments are perceived by many as less secure.
The differences between age groups are striking. While younger people (aged 16–39) are significantly more open to digital payment methods, older people often tend to be more cautious. It is clear that not all payment methods enjoy the same level of trust – and that people’s sense of security depends heavily on their experience, affinity with technology and habits.
The majority of respondents believe that they themselves are responsible in the event of card misuse – older people in particular demonstrate a strong sense of responsibility. At the same time, 28% admit to having been careless with their card or PIN in the past. And 40% find it ‘too much hassle’ to consistently follow all security precautions.
This is also reflected in the use of technical protective measures: although basic practices such as regularly checking account statements and not passing on card details are widespread, more specific precautions such as geoblocking or targeted restrictions on card functions are used much less frequently, often due to a lack of knowledge or practical guidance.
A third of people would like to do more to keep their cards safe, but they’re not sure where to start. This shows that, as well as knowledge, there’s a need for clear, easy-to-access info. The channel is also really important.
Older people and safety-conscious users are particularly easy to reach via traditional media such as TV and posters. Younger target groups, on the other hand, respond more strongly to content on digital channels or social media. Financial institutions enjoy the highest level of trust as sources of safety information, ahead of the police and card providers. Regional differences – for example between German-speaking and French-speaking Switzerland – should also be taken into account in communications.
The survey was conducted by gfs.bern on behalf of the national prevention initiative Card Security. A total of 1,002 Swiss residents aged 16 and over were surveyed between 24 February and 10 March 2025 via the company’s own online panel polittrends.ch.
The results are representative of the permanent resident population aged 16 and over and have a statistical margin of error of ±3.1 percentage points at a 95% confidence level.
All details and results of the study can be found in the full report and in the interactive online cockpit in German.
Click here to read the news article from Card Security.
