Arrangements discussed to transfer funds from discontinued payment cards of clients of Prison and Probation Service and Finnish Immigration Service

The company that used to supply payment cards to the Prison and Probation Service and the Finnish Immigration Service, PFS, has been placed in liquidation. Arrangements to transfer the remaining funds from the closed cards are being discussed. The contracts of the Prison and Probation Service and the Finnish Immigration Service with PFS have expired. All old cards were closed by 30 November 2023. Both agencies have new card suppliers whose cards are not affected by the situation with PFS.

Prisoners and clients have previously held prepaid cards supplied by the card company, PFS. The cards were used to pay reception allowance, benefits, activity allowance, wages and other funds to card holders.

The card supplier, PFS, was placed in liquidation by court order on 13 February 2024. A consulting company, Interpath Ireland, was appointed as a liquidator for the estate.

The closed cards still contain funds belonging to card holders who did not withdraw their money before the cards were closed or did not shift to the new card supplier’s payment card on time. All cardholder funds held by PFS are safeguarded in accordance with the obligations under the European Communities’ Electronic Money Regulations of 2011.

Due to PFS being placed in liquidation, the transfer of the remaining funds from the closed cards into cardholders' accounts is delayed for reasons beyond the control of the Finnish Immigration Service and the Prison and Probation Service. The agencies are negotiating with the liquidators of the estate for arrangements to transfer the funds. The agencies aim to have the funds transferred back to clients as soon as possible.

The Finnish Immigration Service will contact the clients who are affected and will provide them with guidance.

The Prison and Probation Service has secured payments for the prisoners who were clients of the Prison and Probation Service when the cards were closed on 30 November 2023.

Media enquiries

• Olli Snellman, Head of Section, Finnish Immigration Service, email: firstname.lastname@migri.fi, tel. 0295 433 037
• Sanna Kekkonen, Head of Unit, Prison and Probation Service, email: sanna.a.kekkonen@om.fi, tel. 0295 688 438