Digital finance in Poland – banking and payments

How to safely use financial products online

Financial products are a wide range of services offered by banks and other institutions, such as bank accounts, deposits, loans and insurance. Today almost all of them are available via the Internet, which is a huge convenience. Instead of spending time commuting to the bank, you can complete most operations from the comfort of your own home.

Tip: Remember to always use financial products that you fully understand. Before making any decision, read the contract carefully and make sure you know all the terms and consequences. The Internet gives you the opportunity to calmly compare offers and read other customers’ reviews, which is a great advantage.

Tip: Always use only those financial products that you fully understand. Before you buy something, make sure you know what the service is about and what the implications are. Access to the Internet allows you to calmly analyze the offer without pressure, which is a big plus.

However, this convenience comes at a price. If your computer or Internet connection is not properly secured, you put yourself at risk. It’s like leaving an open wallet with your ID and PESEL number in the middle of the street. Scammers are just waiting for an opportunity.

To use these tools securely, always remember a few simple but key rules. The first and primary defender is a strong password, which should be unique and hard to guess. Never write it down on a piece of paper and never use the same password for your bank and other services. If someone uses their children’s names or birthdays as passwords then they should change them immediately.

Remember also that neither a bank employee nor the police will ever ask for your password over the phone or by e-mail. This is a golden rule that you must keep in mind.

Log in to the bank only on its official website, making sure the address starts with https:// and has a padlock symbol next to it.

Also remember to try to avoid public Wi-Fi networks in cafes or train stations. These open networks are like an open door for scammers who are just waiting for an opportunity to take over your data.

It is also worth enabling two-factor authentication, which is an additional layer of protection. In addition to the password, you will have to confirm the login with, for example, an SMS code. It’s like having two locks on the door to your house. Highly recommended!

In Poland, cash is still widely in use, although its share is steadily declining in favor of cashless payments. Almost everywhere, even in bazaars, you can pay by bank card, phone or BLIK.

The card is the plastic we are all familiar with, and it needs a PIN to pay in the store.

BLIK, on the other hand, is an extremely popular system in Poland that allows quick payments and withdrawals from ATMs without using a card. Remember, however, that a BLIK code is like cash you take out of your wallet – don’t give it to anyone!