Maksekartide

Maksekartide, the Estonian term for payment cards, are plastic or virtual instruments issued by banks and other financial institutions that enable consumers to pay for goods and services, withdraw cash, and manage funds electronically. They come in several forms, most commonly debit cards, credit cards, and prepaid cards. Debit cards draw funds directly from a linked bank account, while credit cards allow a revolving line of credit. Prepaid cards are loaded with funds and are not tied to a current account.

A typical maksekart is issued with a card number, expiration date, cardholder name, and a security code. Payments at point-of-sale terminals may use an EMV chip or contactless NFC, while online purchases require card details plus authentication. Transactions are authorised by the card issuer and settled through card networks, with funds moving from the payer to the merchant via banks.

Security and authentication rely on a combination of features such as EMV chips, PINs, and CVVs. Online payments increasingly use tokenization and strong customer authentication, including mechanisms like 3D Secure, to reduce fraud.

Networks and usage: Maksekartide operate on international networks such as Visa and Mastercard and are widely accepted by merchants and ATMs worldwide. In everyday life they enable in-person, online, and mobile payments, and are often integrated with digital wallets and banking apps.

Regulation and consumer protection: In the European Union, payment cards are governed by PSD2, which emphasizes strong customer authentication for online transactions and provides certain protections, including dispute rights and chargeback mechanisms.

Digital evolution: In addition to physical cards, virtual cards and mobile wallets enable tokenized payments. The ecosystem continues to evolve toward stronger authentication, wider contactless use, and enhanced online security.