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European Association for Secure Transactions

European Association for Secure Transactions

The European Association for Secure Transactions (EAST) is a non-profit organisation established in 2004, originally known as the European ATM Security Team. Its primary focus has been on combating payment-related crime, particularly ATM security issues such as card skimming, which was a significant concern in Europe at the time of its founding. In June 2017, EAST expanded its remit and changed its name to reflect the broader scope covering both terminal security and payment security in the evolving payments landscape.

EAST operates as a public-private partnership, creating an international network that facilitates cross-border cooperation between law enforcement agencies and private sector stakeholders to fight organised financial crime. It currently represents 26 European countries through National Members, as well as several global members from countries including Brazil, Canada, Indonesia, Mexico, Russia, Serbia, South Africa, Turkey, Ukraine, and the USA.

The organisation is committed to gathering, collating, and sharing information on payment terminal crime, fraud, and physical attacks on ATMs and other payment terminals. EAST produces a range of analytical and intelligence outputs, including half-year and full-year European Payment Terminal Crime Reports, European Fraud Updates, and confidential alerts covering fraud, payment, and physical attacks. These reports and alerts are compiled from data provided by its members and other industry sources, supporting stakeholders in understanding and responding to emerging threats.

EAST also maintains active links with key law enforcement bodies such as Europol and INTERPOL, enhancing global cooperation in the fight against financial crime. The organisation hosts both open and closed events, including expert group meetings and global congresses, which serve as platforms for sharing intelligence and discussing strategic directions. Its expert groups focus on areas such as payment and transaction fraud, card and terminal fraud, and physical attacks against cash-holding devices.

With a small team of 2-10 employees based in Edinburgh, Scotland, EAST leverages its extensive network and expertise to influence and improve security standards across the payments industry. The organisation’s work supports the development of industry best practices and helps national and international stakeholders to align their efforts against increasingly sophisticated criminal activities in the payments sector

  • Founded: 2004 (originally as European ATM Security Team)

  • Type: Non-profit organisation

  • Headquarters: Edinburgh, Midlothian, United Kingdom

  • Industry: Security and Investigations, Payment Security, Fraud Prevention

  • Employees: 2-10

  • Website: www.association-secure-transactions.eu

  • Mission: To facilitate public-private sector cooperation to combat payment terminal crime and fraud across Europe and globally

No related lobbyists found.

  • Payment Security

  • Terminal Security

  • Fraud Prevention

  • Financial Crime Reporting

  • Cybercrime Prevention

  • ATM Security

  • Public-Private Sector Partnership

  • Cross-border Financial Crime Cooperation

EAST maintains a broad network including:

  • National Members from 26 European countries

  • Global Members from countries such as Brazil, Canada, Indonesia, Mexico, Russia, Serbia, South Africa, Turkey, Ukraine, and the USA

  • Law enforcement agencies including Europol and INTERPOL

  • Industry stakeholders such as payment service providers, terminal manufacturers, and financial institutions

  • Collaborations with organizations like Payment Services Austria (PSA) and LINK (UK payment network)

  • Hosts and participates in expert group meetings and global congresses with diverse stakeholders from public and private sectors

Publicly available data does not specify exact annual lobbying expenditure figures for EAST. As a non-profit with a small employee base (2-10), its lobbying costs are likely modest relative to large commercial lobby firms. The organisation’s funding and expenditure primarily support its operational activities, events, and intelligence sharing rather than extensive lobbying campaigns. No detailed breakdown by year is publicly disclosed in the EU Transparency Register or other sources accessed

EAST interacts with multiple EU structures through its cooperation with law enforcement and regulatory bodies, including:

  • Europol (European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation)

  • Various EU Member State law enforcement agencies

  • Payment regulatory bodies and industry standardisation groups

  • Participation in EU-related conferences and expert groups on payment security and fraud prevention

EAST’s role is primarily as a facilitator of cross-border cooperation and information exchange rather than a direct policy influencer within EU institutions.

Since registration with the EU Transparency Register, EAST has held numerous meetings and events, including:

  • EAST Global Congress meetings (e.g., 9th Global Congress in February 2025)

  • Expert Group meetings on Payment and Transaction Fraud (e.g., 20th meeting in November 2024 in Lisbon)

  • Strategy Review Days involving members and external consultants

  • Regular meetings to share payment and terminal fraud intelligence and discuss emerging threats such as Data Relay attacks and social engineering

These meetings involve representatives from national law enforcement, payment industry stakeholders, and global members to coordinate efforts against payment crime

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