The new service is accepted successfully by the active online shoppers.

With the Virtual PIN service, UniCredit Bulbank offers additional protection when shopping online. The latest innovation of the biggest Bulgarian bank was presented today at a specialized forum by Petar Petrov, Card Risk Analysis Manager at UniCredit Bulbank. Customers can receive virtual PIN by registering their Visa or MasterCard for the "Activation During Shopping" service. Thus customers have yet another way of protection when shopping from merchants participating in Verified by Visa / MasterCard SecureCode.

UniCredit Bulbank is the first Bulgarian bank to offer the Virtual PIN service by means of the "Activation During Shopping" program.

"The new service is of great interest - nearly 90% of UniCredit Bulbank customers sign up for a Virtual PIN by themselves after two invitations during online shopping in secure sites. This confirms the financial culture of people and turns higher attention to the security of our money", Petar Petrov explained.

Customers receive an invitation for registering for the Virtual PIN service after making a purchase on a secure Internet site, which can always be distinguished by the specific padlock icon. The service is developed with a focus on security and offers a double information check. When making a purchase, the number and the date of validity of the card are verified, and the identity of the card owner is authenticated. Customers are authenticated by answering two control questions defined by the bank.

For additional security, UniCredit Bulbank advises its customers to visit the bank website and to create their own profile in the "Secure Online Payments" service. Thus customers can use a Private message or a Security question for unblocking a forgotten user password.

As usual we pay attention also to the good practices for convenient use of cards – for both physical and electronic payments:

• Keep your card with the appropriate care and attention;

• The card and the card details should always be used personally by the card owner;

• Change the PIN code at an ATM immediately after receiving the card and memorize it;

• Upon cash withdrawals from ATMs always put your hand over the keypad when you enter the PIN;

• Use the free-of-charge service "Secure Online Payments";

• Subscribe for the SMS notification service;

• Control the access to your personal computer, smartphone or tablet;

• Do not open and do not answer an e-mail message that requires you to provide card or personal details. In such case you should immediately consult the bank if you have any doubts about the authenticity of the message;

• If there is a problem with your online order, we advise you to contact the merchant directly and to try to solve the situation with them. If this turns out impossible, UniCredit Bulbank is ready to assist you accordingly;

• Keep all documents related to an online purchase, as well as any correspondence with the merchant;

• In case of loss/theft of a card or if you have any doubts that it might be used illegally by other persons, you have to IMMEDIATELY inform the bank and order blocking of the card.

Further information for clients:

UniCredit Bulbank, Call Centre

Phone number: 0700 1 84 84

More information for media:

UniCredit Bulbank, Identity & Communications Department

Viktoria Blajeva, Phone: + 359 2 9264 993, wjlj/ebwjepwbAvojdsfejuhspvq/ch

Magdalena Ivanova, Phone: + 359 2 9232 528, nbhebmfob/jwbopwbAvojdsfejuhspvq/ch