A MORE secure way of paying cash to Scottish Borders Council is being introduced.
A chip-and-pin method of payment will be available at some council offices from October 24.
Councillor Michael Cook explained: “Offering the facility to pay by chip-and-pin is more secure and fits in with the council’s modernisation objectives.”
In order to make the change, the council’s payment system will be unavailable from noon on October 23 until mid-afternoon the following day. This will affect internet payment facilities, the automated telephone payment system, as well as the counter service for payments over the phone at contact centres. Borderers will also be unable to make payments at contact centres, registrar offices, recycling centres and council HQ at Newtown St Boswells.
During this period, payments can still be made at shops and post offices displaying Paypoint and Payzone logos.
Chip-and-pin machines are being installed at all contact centres, the Jim Clark Room at Duns and the registration offices at Hawick, Peebles, Melrose, Kelso, Galashiels, Eyemouth, Duns and Coldstream.
Councillor Cook commented: “The new system is pretty straight forward. Rather than providing a card to the teller and signing a receipt, customers will need to enter their card and number into the machine.
“This system will allow the council to offer a more secure means of taking face-to-face card payments and reduce the risk of fraud.
“For those who do not have this type of card, there will still be a facility to sign a receipt where required.”