• Q: How can I get a Laser card?

Simply contact your bank branch and ask them for an application form for a Laser Card.

The banks and building societies that offer Laser include AIB, Bank of Ireland, EBS, National Irish Bank, permanent tsb, and Ulster Bank.

• Q: Can I use my Laser Card in other countries?

Laser Card can only be used in the Republic of Ireland.

However, some banks and building societies that issue Laser Cards include other payment facilities on the Laser Card which allow the customer to use the card in ATMs and retail outlets abroad. Contact your bank or building society to confirm if these facilities are available on your card.

• Q: Is there a ceiling limit on the value that can be spent on a Laser Card?

The Laser Scheme does not incur a maximum transaction limit for Laser Card transactions. However, each Laser Card issuer may set their own customer parameters relating to the amount that can be spent or the number of transactions that can take place on a daily basis. For information on your card issuer’s specific limits consult your bank’s terms and conditions or contact them directly.

• Q: What do I do if I lose my Laser Card?

Contact the  lost/stolen card section of the bank that issued your card as soon as you realise it is missing and advise them that your card is lost or stolen.

• Q: If my card is stolen, am I liable for the purchases made on it by the thief?

The 'Code of Best Practice of the European Banking Debit Payments Industry on Card-Based Payments' states that the maximum a cardholder can be held liable, for transactions on a lost/stolen card that they have reported, is €150. In reality, the actual amount payable by the cardholder will depend on the bank and the circumstances of the situation. If a card is lost or stolen but the cardholder does not report it, then the cardholder may be liable to pay a greater amount.

• Q: Can I use Laser to buy something over the phone, by mail order or on the Internet?

The vast majority of retailers welcome Laser as a payment method over the phone, by mail order and indeed over the Internet. If you are unsure, just ask the retailer or look for the Laser logo on the website.

• Q: How much do Laser Cards cost?

As a matter of practice, banks do not charge for providing a Laser Card. However, the Government imposes a levy (stamp duty) of €2.50 on Laser Cards and this is collected annually by the banks on the Government's behalf. For further information on Government Stamp Duty please click here. Most financial institutions offer Laser as part of a current account package, where the package rates will determine the rate (if any) charged for Laser transactions.

• Q: Where is Laser Cashback available?

The majority of stores offer Laser Cashback so look out for the sign 'Cashback Available Here' or simply ask the retailer if they offer the service.

• Q: How much money can I get using the Laser Cashback facility?

When purchasing goods or services with your Laser Card you can get up to €100 Cashback. This is the maximum Cashback value permissible by the Laser Scheme per transaction. Some retailers will tend to vary the value that they choose to give out depending on what cash is available to them in the till or depending on their own policy.

• Q: How can I keep an eye on what I am spending?

All Laser Card transactions are recorded on current account statements which  detail the merchant name, the date of the transaction and how much the transaction was for. In addition, for every Laser Card transaction the terminal produces a cardholder receipt which can be kept as a record by the cardholder.

• Q: How does Laser Card differ to a credit card?

Laser Card is a debit card which means that when you purchase an item, the value of that item is debited from your current account (generally within 2/3 working days), i.e. you are spending money that is already in your account.

A credit card is a card issued by a bank that allows the holder to buy goods and services up to a pre-agreed value and to pay for them later. If, on the due date, the holder does not pay the balance, the bank charges interest on the unpaid balance.

• Q: If I notice a Laser Card transaction on my current account statement that I don’t recognise, what should I do?

Contact the bank / building society that issued the card to you, advise them of your concern and they will investigate the matter on your behalf.