APS Bank has blocked a number of customer payment cards and begun issuing replacements after being alerted to a potential external security breach that may have exposed card details.

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The issue came to light after some APS customers reported receiving emails and text messages informing them that their cards had been blocked as a precautionary measure and would be replaced.

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In a statement, the bank confirmed that a number of cards had been affected but stressed that the incident did not originate from APS’s own systems.

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“Earlier this week, we were alerted by VISA to a potential compromise at a merchant’s acquirer, which may have affected a number of payment cards issued by a number of banks, including some issued by APS Bank,” a spokesperson said.

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The bank said the alert originated externally and was not linked to any security issue within APS itself.

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Following the notification from Visa, APS said it immediately blocked the cards identified as potentially at risk in line with its security procedures.

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Replacement cards are already being issued free of charge and will be delivered to affected customers in the coming days.

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APS stressed that the action was limited to cards specifically identified through the Visa alert and that customers who were not contacted by the bank are not affected by the incident.

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The bank declined to disclose how many customers had been impacted, describing that information as commercially sensitive.

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The incident highlights the growing complexity of payment card security, where vulnerabilities can emerge anywhere along the payments chain, including merchants, payment processors and acquiring institutions.

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While banks typically maintain their own fraud detection and security systems, card networks such as Visa also monitor payment activity and can issue alerts when unusual patterns or potential compromises are detected.

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The precautionary card replacements come at a time when financial institutions are facing increasing pressure to respond quickly to cybersecurity threats and fraud risks.

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The development follows a strong start to the year for APS. Earlier this month, the bank reported pre-tax profits of €11.1 million during the first quarter of 2026, compared to €3.6 million during the same period last year, representing a 208% increase.

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