Arrangements discussed to transfer funds from discontinued payment cardsof clients of Prison and Probation Service and Finnish ImmigrationService

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