Plastic cards are one of the most popular forms of payment in the UK. They allow users to pay for goods and services virtually anywhere in the world, easily and conveniently, and provide a secure alternative to cash and cheques.

Plastic cards are issued to users by a variety of organisations or card issuers such as banks, building societies, financial services companies and retailers. The types of cards issued and their levels of functionality vary from card issuer to card issuer and between the different card schemes under which the cards are issued.

The major plastic card schemes include American Express, Diners Club, JCB International, Maestro, MasterCard and Visa. These schemes are the operators of the payment card systems that govern transaction processes and transmission of money through the card network.