The present invention relates to a magnetic strip read prevention member for preventing the possibility of a magnetic strip of a bank card, comprising a magnetic strip data storage and a further data storage for use during payment transactions, being read by means of a magnetic card reader device intended for the purpose of reading the magnetic strip of the bank card. The present invention also relates to an assembly of such magnetic strip read prevention members. The present invention further relates to a method for protecting a payment system, preferably a bank payment system.

Payment systems for banking systems have become widespread in recent decades. Use has increasingly been made of bank cards, initially only with a data storage in a magnetic strip, but also to increasing extent with a data storage in a secure chip, also referred to as an EMV chip.

One of the reasons for the more recent spread of the EMV chip is that different forms of misuse can be made of the magnetic strip. One of these forms is referred to as skimming. A payment transaction requires on the one hand data read from the magnetic strip and on the other the input of a pin code .

By means of reading the data on the original bank card and gaining possession of the pin code an unauthorized person can make a copy on a second card of the origi- nal magnetic strip of the card and, together with the pin code, carry out payment transactions or withdrawal transactions . In order to prevent an unauthorized person being able to make a copy of the original magnetic strip of the card the present invention provides a magnetic strip read prevention member for preventing the possibility of a mag- netic strip of a bank card, comprising a magnetic strip data storage and a further data storage for use in payment transactions, being read by means of a magnetic card reader device intended for reading the magnetic strip of the bank card, the magnetic strip read prevention member com- prising:

- a carrier layer of a preferably bendable or flexible material;

- attaching means for attaching the carrier layer to the bank card;

- magnetic field influencing means for influencing a magnetic field.

In the case the rightful user of the bank card makes use of the further data storage, such as the EMV chip, a wireless readable chip such as an RFID card, a holographic storage card or a near-field card, it is not necessary for the magnetic strip to be readable. An insight according to the present invention is to cover the magnetic strip with the magnetic strip read prevention member during these periods or transactions. This prevents unauthorized persons being able to read it when transactions or other actions are being carried out. As a result a copy of the magnetic strip of the bank card is of course prevented from being made.

In a first preferred embodiment the magnetic field influencing means are arranged on the carrier layer in the magnetic strip read prevention member. The magnetic field influencing means are more preferably arranged in the carrier layer. In both cases the magnetic strip of the bank card is protected following arrangement of the magnetic strip read prevention member such that it cannot be read as long as the magnetic strip read prevention member is present .

In a further preferred embodiment the attaching means comprise an adhesive which preferably effects a permanent or non-permanent attachment to the bank card. The magnetic strip read prevention member can be attached permanently or temporarily to the magnetic strip of the bank card by means of this adhesive. In the case of permanent arrangement the magnetic strip is therefore permanently protected. In the case of temporary arrangement the magnetic strip can be used when the user removes the temporarily present protection. The advantage is therefore that, when a transaction has to be carried out at a location where only the magnetic strip can be used and the further memory storage means are unusable, a transaction can nevertheless be made by removing the magnetic strip read prevention member. Rearrangement thereof is of course necessary for renewed protection.

The attaching means more preferably comprise a band member for attachment by means of tensioning round the card. This embodiment will be tensioned round the payment card at the position of the magnetic strip. This var- iant is preferably transparent at the position of the front side of the payment card.

In a further preferred embodiment the magnetic strip read prevention member takes a tamper-proof form, preferably by means of at least one incision in the carri- er layer, this incision preferably cutting wholly or partially through the carrier layer. It is practically impossible as a result to remove the read prevention member temporarily. Much misuse occurs when a card is temporarily relinquished by the holder. In the short period that an unauthorized person may have the card, he/she will not be able to circumvent this preferred embodiment without this being visible to the legitimate user. If during removal thereof the read prevention member divides into a number of parts, it is practically impossible to re-place these again such that the original appearance is restored. Misuse is therefore immediately visible when the card is returned to the original user.

This is further case for instance when the incision separates the carrier layer into several different parts .

In a further preferred embodiment the read prevention member is provided with a recognition symbol or an identification symbol for recognizing the member or identifying the member. In the ideal case the member is identifiable with a unique code. A barcode or a long number/letter combination is for instance provided here. A drawback of a unique code is that it requires a relatively complex interpretation by the user. A more easily recognizable symbol is therefore provided which can be interpreted at a glance. It is possible here to envisage a code easily recognizable by people, such as a number, name, a word or image. If for instance 4 to 8-letter words are ap- plied, a huge variation in easily recognizable words is possible. Anyone getting their card back can easily recognize their 'own' word; possible examples which can be envisaged here are puss, house, horse, child, woman, cousin and so on. When a large number of such different words are in circulation, it is practically impossible for the unauthorized person to have an identical read prevention member available at short notice, certainly when different background letter-colour combinations are applied. In a further preferred embodiment the magnetic strip read prevention member comprises a write surface for arranging a signature or initials. It hereby becomes possible for the user of the bank card to place a signature unique to him/her.

The member preferably has a size which covers at least a part of an area of the magnetic strip with written magnetic information. If even a part of the written area of the magnetic strip is covered, a complete copy cannot be made.

In a further preferred embodiment the magnetic strip read prevention member comprises aluminium or a nickel or a nickel alloy material for the purpose of shielding from a magnetic field. A magnetic field is here- by guided in effective manner laterally of the magnetic strip read prevention member, whereby it cannot reach the area in which the data is stored. Even if a readout magnetic field were to be applied from the other side of the bank card, the magnetic field at the position of the area in which the data is stored will be deflected such that readout is impossible from this side. The organ preferably comprises a vapour-deposited metal.

The magnetic strip read prevention member is preferably provided with a removable adhesive layer protector. It can hereby be placed as a per se known sticker on a bank card.

In a further preferred embodiment the magnetic strip read prevention member is assembled from a number of discrete sub-members which take a mutually connecting form or can be placed some distance from each other. A partial covering of the magnetic strip suffices against copying of the card data. Copying is also prevented in the case all data on the magnetic strip are covered by mutually abut- ting sub-members. Such an arrangement also prevents temporary removal and re-placement of the member, since it is impossible with human hands to remove the member in this form and to re-place it in a correctly fitting manner. If such a variant is tampered with, this will be immediately noticed by the owner of the card.

In a further variant the outer periphery of the read prevention member has a recognizable form. This form also contributes toward recognition of the member in the case it is replaced by an unauthorized person.

In a further preferred embodiment the magnetic strip read prevention member is arranged on a preferably self-adhesive, more preferably transparent application as ^¬ sist means. It is hereby possible to arrange complex ar- rangements or multiple variants of the read prevention member in correct manner so that they appear as one whole when arranged on the card.

A further aspect according to the present invention relates to an assembly comprising a holder or a sheet holding a number of magnetic strip read prevention members according to one or more of the foregoing claims. A username and card can hereby be provided in practical manner with a number of members, for instance in the case incidental use has to be made of the magnetic strip, for which purpose the existing member must be removed from the card, and a new one is therefore desirable.

A further aspect according to present invention relates to a method for protecting a payment system, preferably a bank payment system, comprising steps for provid- ing magnetic strip read prevention members to users of bank cards for application on the bank cards by the users. A bank payment system can be protected by means of such a method against the inconvenience of cards being copied and unauthorized transactions being made.

Further advantages, features and details of the present invention will be described in greater detail hereinbelow on the basis of one or more preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying figures.

Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of a first preferred embodiment according to the present invention during use.

Fig. 2 is a schematic representation of a second preferred embodiment according to the present invention during use.

Fig. 3 is a schematic representation of a third preferred embodiment according to the present invention during use.

Fig. 4 is a schematic representation of a preferred embodiment according to the present invention.

Fig. 5 is a schematic representation of a further preferred embodiment according to the present invention.

Fig. 6 is a schematic representation of a preferred embodiment during use under the influence of a magnetic field.

A first preferred embodiment (Fig. 1) according to the present invention relates to a magnetic strip protec- tor 1 arranged on a magnetic card 2. This magnetic strip protector is provided on one side with an adhesive layer for removable adhesion to magnetic strip 3 of the card.

Fig. 2 shows the same magnetic card 2 with magnetic strip 3. This magnetic strip is partially covered by means of three magnetic strip protectors 4, 5, 6. These three magnetic strip protectors 4, 5, 6 are provided with the letters D, O, G. This embodiment on the one hand protects the card against copying and on the other makes the magnetic strip protector clearly recognizable to the user on the basis of a number of externals. The relative arrangement of the three magnetic strip protectors is recognizable, particularly when they have been removed and oth- er magnetic strip protectors then put back in their place. The letters further impart a recognizability . Owing to the cut lines 8 it is impossible to remove the magnetic strip protectors and then re-place them in exactly the same manner.

The embodiment according to Fig. 3 is formed as a band placed round the bank card. This variant is particularly suitable when it is fairly certain that the card will not be used with the magnetic strip during its lifetime, but when the magnetic strip must nevertheless be present. This solution similar to a cigar band can be applied in this case. In order to prevent wear along the edges, the bank card can in this case be provided with an indentation 10 in which the band is received. As a result the band does protrude on the side of the card.

Shown in Fig. 4 is a sheet 40 with five magnetic strip protectors 41 thereon. This preferred embodiment is practical when during the lifetime of the card a transaction has to be made in wholly incidental manner using the magnetic strip as information source. The magnetic strip pro- tector will in that case have to be removed, and it is desirable that it be replaced with a new one immediately or after for instance a period of travel. The words shown on the card enable a rapid identification of the magnetic strip protector if the holder of the card has had to briefly relinquish it, for instance to allow a transaction to be made.

Fig. 5 likewise shows a sheet 40 with three magnetic strip protectors 42, 43, 44 thereon. Variants 42, 43 are similar to those of Fig. 2. Variant 44 is a variant in a complex arrangement abutting by means of cut lines 46 which, when arranged on a magnetic strip card, makes tampering very difficult. Magnetic strip protectors 42, 43, 44 are provided on the underside with an adhesive layer for adhesion thereof to a magnetic strip similar to those of Fig. 1-4. Arranged on the upper side of magnetic strip protectors 42, 43, 44 is a transparent sticker which adheres to sheet 40 as well as to the magnetic strip protec- tors 42, 43, 44 themselves. It hereby becomes possible to remove the magnetic strip protectors 42, 43, 44 together with the transparent sticker 45 from sheet 40, wherein the relative orientation of the separate parts is retained and they can be arranged in the same orientation on a magnetic strip of a bank card. The third variant 44 is hereby very difficult to remove, since all the separate parts between the cut lines will come loose separately from the magnetic strip and can no longer be re-placed in the same arrangement by human hands. As addition to this protection by means of cut lines, the variant 44 can also be further provided with for instance a code or a word or an image easily recognizable by the holder of the card.

Fig. 6 shows how the magnetic strip protector function is more under the influence of a magnetic field 61. Magnetic strip protector 1 is arranged over magnetic strip 3 of bank card 2. The magnetic field has a number of field lines which cannot penetrate the magnetic strip pro ^¬ tector and will therefore be deflected sideways. The magnetic field will also be deflected when the magnetic field approaches the magnetic strip from the other side. In both cases it is impossible to retrieve the information stored in the magnetic strip. Fig. 7 shows an applicator for a magnetic strip protector 74. The applicator comprises a backing sheet 71 similar to a sticker sheet on which the sticker is arranged. An applicator sheet 76 is arranged with the adhe- sive side thereof on this backing sheet at a position 76'. The adhesive side of applicator sheet 76 can be placed on a bank card in a manner such that the magnetic strip protector 74 is arranged over the magnetic strip. For arranging of the magnetic strip protector 74 on the magnetic strip of the bank card it is adhered to the adhesive layer of applicator sheet 76. When applicator sheet 76 is removed from backing sheet 71, magnetic strip protector 74 is therefore in adhered position on the adhesive side of applicator sheet 76.

Applicator sheet 76 is preferably transparent and provided with two lines 78, these two lines 78 indicating how the applicator sheet, with the magnetic strip protector present thereon on the adhesive side, must be arranged on the magnetic strip of the bank card. As soon as appli- cator sheet 76 has been arranged on a bank card, magnetic strip protector 74 adheres with a much stronger adhesion to the bank card. The reason for this is that the adhesion between magnetic strip protector 74 and backing sheet 71 is preferably less firm than the adhesion of the applica- tor sheet to the magnetic strip protector. Applicator sheet 76 can then be removed from the bank card, and the bank card is provided with the magnetic strip protector.

In the embodiment of Fig. 8 sheet 81 serves the same function as backing sheet 71 of Fig. 7. The embodi- ment of Fig. 8 is an applicator 88 for arranging four magnetic strip protectors 84 on a bank card. Applicator 88 is foldable along broken lines 92. The side 88' is provided with a placing position 91 for a bank card, this placing position having a depth 86 roughly the thickness of a bank card. The position of the magnetic strip on the bank card is indicated by means of broken lines 87.

As soon as "backing sheet" 81 is removed from the magnetic strip protectors and applicator 88, the part 88 has the same function as applicator sheet 78 as according to Fig. 7. The applicator is then folded double with the bank card therebetween, wherein the magnetic strip protectors adhere to the bank card.

It is possible in alternative manner to adhere reserve magnetic strip protectors to the card. Provided for here is that a magnetic strip is still connected to an applicator sheet. The applicator sheet is similar to the applicator sheets referred to in the foregoing, with for in- stance a width size of a magnetic strip or at least larger than the associated magnetic strip protector. Arranged over the whole of the underside of the applicator sheet and the magnetic strip protector present thereon is a storage sheet for adhesion on one side to the applicator sheet in similar manner as for the backing sheet, which is also suitable on the other side for adhesion to the card. When the reserve magnetic strip protector has to be arranged on the magnetic strip, the applicator sheet can be removed from the storage sheet in the described manner and the protector placed on the magnetic strip. The user hereby has protectors available at all times, even in the unlikely event the magnetic strip has to be used.

Any assembly of the magnetic strip protector which is able to disrupt the magnetic field is suitable within the scope of present invention. The present invention aims to prevent reading of the magnetic strip by a card reader. Any other form of identification of the card, for instance by means of an E V chip or an RFID, remains possible when the magnetic strip protector according to the present invention is present. The present invention therefore provides a functional protection of the magnetic strip and a simple way for the normal user to recognize possible tam- pering with the magnetic strip protector.

The present invention has been described in the foregoing on the basis of several preferred embodiments. Different aspects of different embodiments are deemed described in combination with each other, wherein all combi- nations which can be deemed by a skilled person in the field as falling within the scope of the invention on the basis of reading of this document are included. These preferred embodiments are not limitative for the scope of protection of this document. The rights sought are defined in the appended claims.