116 116

116 116 is the single, harmonised telephone number in Germany for blocking electronic authorisation media — girocards (formerly ec-Karten), credit cards, the electronic personal ID (E-Personalausweis), online-banking access, SIM cards, employee ID cards and electronic signatures. It is operated as a non-profit emergency service by the registered association Sperr-Notruf 116 116 e. V., based in Berlin, and is provided within the framework of the German Bundesnetzagentur. The number has been reachable since 1 July 2005, making Germany the first country in the world to introduce such a central blocking number. The service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, including public holidays. Calls from German landlines are free of charge; calls from mobile networks may incur fees, and calls from abroad may be subject to connection charges. From outside Germany, the number can generally be reached by dialling +49 116 116. The technical operation of the hotline is handled by Servodata GmbH. When a card or credential is lost or stolen, the user calls 116 116 and, after providing account number and bank code (BLZ) or IBAN, has the relevant cards and access media blocked immediately. The service covers girocard, credit cards, online banking, the electronic personal ID and SIM cards. For girocard, additional steps may be required to block the direct-debit function, for which the KUNO project exists. After blocking, users are advised to file a police report in cases of theft or suspected misuse. The 116 116 number is part of the European "Harmonised Services of Social Value" number range, and the Bundesnetzagentur has assigned further such numbers at European level. The service is a central component of German consumer protection against card fraud and digital identity theft.

The 116 116 number was introduced in Germany on 1 July 2005 as the world's first central blocking number for electronic authorisation media. It was established under the framework of the German Bundesnetzagentur, which is responsible for assigning the number. The service is owned and operated by the registered association Sperr-Notruf 116 116 e. V., headquartered in Berlin. Technical operation of the hotline is carried out by Servodata GmbH. The number was created to give consumers a single point of contact for blocking girocards (formerly ec-Karten), credit cards, the electronic personal ID, online-banking access, SIM cards, employee ID cards and electronic signatures. Before its introduction, cardholders had to contact their individual bank or card issuer separately, which could delay blocking and increase the risk of fraud. Over time, the service has been integrated into the European framework of "Harmonised Services of Social Value" numbers, and the Bundesnetzagentur has assigned further such numbers at European level. The 116 116 hotline remains a central component of German consumer protection against card fraud and digital identity theft, and it is reachable 24 hours a day, seven days a week, free of charge from German landlines.

• 2005

  116 116 hotline becomes reachable in Germany on 1 July, the world's first such central blocking number.

• Sperr-Notruf 116 116 e. V. is established as the responsible owner and operator, based in Berlin.

• Servodata GmbH becomes the technical operator of the hotline.

• The number is integrated into the European "Harmonised Services of Social Value" framework.

Central, free-of-charge, round-the-clock emergency number for blocking electronic payment and identity credentials in Germany.

• 116 116 Sperr-Notruf hotline

  24/7 telephone service for blocking girocards, credit cards, eID, online banking, SIM cards and other electronic credentials.

1. 1Home - Sperr-Notrufsperr-notruf.de
2. 2Zentrale Anlaufstelle zur Sperrung elektronischer Berechtigungende.wikipedia.org
3. 3Wikidata Q190278wikidata.org