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After 18 years, wave goodbye to Laser cards

You won’t be able to use a Laser card from midnight 28 February.

THEY TURN 18 this year, but the grown-up Laser cards will find themselves off the market in a number of days.

From midnight on 28 February, you won’t be able to use your Laser card, as the cards are being replaced by Visa and MasterCard debit cards.

The Irish Payment Services Oranisation (IPSO) said today that if you try to use a Laser card after 28 February, you’ll get an error message only.

What about if your Laser card is signed up for a recurring payment or subscription?

IPSO says that retailers that currently accepting Laser cards for such transactions should make arrangements with their customers to organise an alternative payment method.

If you’re a business owner or manager, you’re advised to alert your staff members that Laser cards cannot be accepted from midnight on 28 February.

First Laser card

The last Laser file transmission will be processed almost 18 years to the day since the very first Laser transaction in 1996, said IPSO.

When Laser reached its peak in 2011, there were more than 3 million active Laser debit cards in the market.

The highest value spent on goods and services on the cards overall in Ireland was €201 million in one single year – 2010.

Last year, AIB and Bank of Ireland announced that they were to replace Laser cards with Visa and Mastercard debit cards which would enable cardholders to pay for some purchases with ‘contactless’ technology.

People with these new cards can pay by holding the card against a reader to pay for purchases under €15.

Banks have been steadily replacing the Laser cards with new debit cards, but if you haven’t received one yet you would be advised to contact your bank.

Read: Visa cards to replace Laser allowing for ‘contactless’ payments>

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48 Comments
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Conn Rogers
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    May 28th 2015, 12:44 PM

    Expected battery life: 4 minutes

    285
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    Mute Deco James Connolly
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    May 28th 2015, 1:14 PM

    That long ! Sign me up.

    60
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    Mute MadMax
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    May 28th 2015, 2:37 PM

    About she same time as my iPhone then

    32
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ciaran Farrell
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    May 28th 2015, 12:44 PM

    Any chance they could just develop stronger batteries for smartphones.

    116
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    Mute IrishGravyTrain
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    May 28th 2015, 2:02 PM

    Why would they do that. They need that battery to run its course after a couple of years to sell you a new phone.

    37
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    Mute The Descolada
    Favourite The Descolada
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    May 28th 2015, 12:48 PM

    Bet the japanese are already figuring out how to use it with porn

    67
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    Mute IrishGravyTrain
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    May 28th 2015, 2:03 PM

    Japanese. Be one of the first things most men anywhere in the world would do.

    27
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    Mute stewie
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    May 28th 2015, 1:39 PM

    it feels like only yesterday that having Snake or Tetris on your phone was the height of technology.Im getting old.

    43
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    Mute John Reese
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    May 28th 2015, 1:38 PM

    Battery life is THE issue on phones these days. The man or company that comes up with a solution will be rich.

    25
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ciaran Farrell
    Favourite Ciaran Farrell
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    May 28th 2015, 1:53 PM

    The Duracell Bunny has been strangely quiet this last while. Must be hard at work in R&D

    19
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    Mute Raymond Power
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    May 28th 2015, 1:41 PM

    Seems the sci fi movies of 30 years ago are truly upon us.

    22
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    Mute Matthew Donoghue
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    May 28th 2015, 3:10 PM

    Where’s all the hoverboards???

    7
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    Mute Ciaran Farrell
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    May 28th 2015, 6:18 PM
    4
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    Mute JustAoife
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    May 28th 2015, 12:41 PM

    That was (falsely) leaked as a feature of the iPhone 5 a couple of years back. Thought it was just as pointless then as it is now

    16
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    Mute JustAoife
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    May 28th 2015, 3:08 PM
    3
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    Mute Deborah Behan
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    May 28th 2015, 12:59 PM

    WANT!!!!

    12
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ciaran Farrell
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    May 28th 2015, 1:10 PM

    Deborah.. The phone or Pontious’ suggestion?

    22
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    Mute Deborah Behan
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    May 28th 2015, 9:24 PM

    Eaney meaney miney mo!!

    2
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    Mute John Doyle
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    May 28th 2015, 1:17 PM

    Probably be full of bloatware. Click Advert to use keyboard or something stupid like that.

    6
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    Mute Shakka1244
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    May 28th 2015, 3:19 PM

    I’m guessing you’re a “glass half empty” type of guy. Am I right?

    10
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    Mute Adrian Bollard
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    May 28th 2015, 4:56 PM

    The future is nigh…

    2
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    Mute Aaron Brady
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    May 28th 2015, 3:33 PM

    Looks good, but lenovo are stuck on mid range phones, screen doesn’t look anywhere near a 5 inch, also doesn’t even look like it’s 1080o

    1
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    Mute Pete Gibson
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    May 28th 2015, 10:45 PM

    Re: The usage of “cause” here.
    When the word “because” is abbreviated it is normally spelt as ‘cos.
    (This is ‘cos the words because and cause have completely different meanings)

    1
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    Mute SCO Electrical
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    May 28th 2015, 6:42 PM

    Class

    1
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    Mute Sam McCormack
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    May 28th 2015, 11:19 PM

    Like the HP Sprout then.

    1
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