Access to the data of the Interbank Register of Bad Cheques and Payment Cards (CAI)

and requests for clarification as to how the Register works

Warning

As of 13 April 2026, Banca d'Italia's Online Services Portal for the Public is the only authorized digital channel for accessing data from the Interbank Register of Bad Cheques and Payment Cards (CAI).

The Portal can be accessed free of charge at any time and from all digital devices, including by users who do not have an electronic ID (SPID or CIE). It ensures timely service in full compliance with information confidentiality and data protection regulations.

What is CAI?

The service allows people to check the data registered under their name in the Interbank Register of Bad Cheques and Payment cards (CAI), to verify whether a cheque or a payment card has been blocked, or to ask for clarifications on how the CAI works. This service is free of charge.

The CAI serves the purpose of preventing and fining the irregular use of bank and postal cheques and payment cards, to improve the security of these instruments and increase users' trust in these payment instruments. It is managed by Banca d'Italia and it contains the following data for the length of time indicated in brackets:

  • the personal details of persons who have written bank or postal cheques with no authorization or without having sufficient funds (data kept for: six months);
  • identification data for bank and postal cheques issued with no authorization or without sufficient funds (data kept for: six months);
  • identification data for bank and postal cheques not returned following the revocation of authorization (data kept for: ten years);
  • identification data for bank and postal cheques reported as stolen or lost or that have been blocked for other reasons (data kept for: ten years);
  • the personal details of persons whose authorization to use payment cards has been revoked because of missed payments or lack of funds to cover the transactions made (data kept for: two years);
  • the data for payment cards that have been revoked, stolen or lost (data kept for: two years);
  • the personal details of persons who have been fined or subjected to accessory administrative sanctions by the prefect of police for issuing bank or postal cheques lacking authorization or funding (data kept for: from two to five years);
  • the personal details of persons subjected to penal sanctions by the judicial authorities for violation of the obligations imposed as accessory administrative sanctions (data kept for: from two to five years).

The data are kept for the length of time indicated and are automatically deleted on the expiry date, so there are no 'historical data' in the archive.

Private (banks, post offices and intermediaries that issue payment cards) and public (Prefectures and judicial authorities) reporting entities input data directly into the archive.

Any objections or requests for correction or deletion of data held by the CAI must be sent to the reporting entities, who are responsible for the accuracy of the information entered and are obliged to delete and to correct any wrongly reported information as quickly as possible.

Who can use it?

Personal data

Natural persons may access the information recorded in their own name, either directly or through another party holding a valid authorization (guardian, curator, heir, delegate, CSP - Crisis Settlement Panel etc.).

Legal persons -such as companies, associations, institutions, and organizations- may access the data recorded in their name upon request by the legal representative (or by the natural person authorized under the relevant bylaws or regulations), by the members of limited liability companies (S.r.l.), by partners in a non-corporate partnership, by the court-appointed administrator, etc.

Non-personal data

Anyone with a legitimate interest may access non-personal data to verify whether a cheque has been blocked (by knowing the cheque number, the ABI code of the issuing bank, and the CAB code of the bank branch) or whether a payment card has been blocked (by knowing the card PAN - Primary Account Number; this is the unique identification number communicated by the issuer in the contract and may not correspond to the number printed on the card).

How does it work?

You can contact Banca d'Italia

  • through the Online Services platform, by selecting the 'Request data' option. The platform allows users to request data through a guided procedure using SPID or CIE identity, a digital signature, or a handwritten signature;
  • by submitting a paper request, using the form downloadable from this page or by drafting a free-form request including the applicant's personal/identification details (surname and name/company name, tax code, date of birth).

Requests may be sent by ordinary mail or fax to one of Banca d'Italia's branches providing the service, enclosing a legible copy of a valid identity document. Requests may also be submitted in person at the same branches, by presenting an identity document and providing the tax code; in this case, the response is normally provided immediately.

If the request is submitted by a user who identifies themselves with SPID or CIE on the Online Services platform and concerns their own personal data, the outcome will be available in the user's personal area, accessible via the link received by email or directly through the Online Services platform.

The response containing the requested data will be sent, at the user's choice, to a certified email address (PEC) or to a postal address via registered mail with return receipt. For requests concerning legal persons submitted by a voluntary representative (e.g. a delegate), the delivery address must be an address associated with the delegating legal person.

Where needed because of the nature of the request, any additional supporting documentation must be provided.

The service is offered free of charge by Banca d'Italia.

You can contact the Reporting Entities

Requests may be addressed to private reporting entities (banks, post offices, supervised financial intermediaries issuing payment cards), which are required to provide information relating to personal data and may offer consultation services regarding lost, stolen or blocked payment cards and bank or postal cheques.

You can access the Nexi Payments website

On the Nexi Payments website, it is possible to check the proper circulation of cheques by entering the cheque number, the ABI code of the issuing bank, and the CAB code of the bank branch. Data are updated daily.

Requests for clarification

Requests for clarification on the functioning of the interbank register of bad cheques and payment cards (CAI) may be submitted through the Online Services platform by selecting 'Obtain clarification'; alternatively, a written request may be sent by ordinary mail or fax to any of Banca d'Italia's branches providing the service.

This service allows users to request general information about CAI and may not be used to request CAI data or to submit a formal complaint.

Useful information

Private reporting entities (banks, post offices and supervised financial intermediaries that issue payment cards) and public ones (Prefectures and judicial authorities) are responsible for the accuracy of the reports sent to the CAI. Any objections or requests for correction or deletion must therefore be addressed directly to the reporting entities, which are obliged to delete and to correct any wrongly reported information as quickly as possible.

You can make a report to Banca d'Italia about irregular behaviour or misconduct on the part of banks, post offices or financial intermediaries that issue payment cards by making a complaint.

To protect your rights and interests, you can contact the Banking and Financial Ombudsman (ABF), which is an independent and alternative organization for settling disputes between customers and banking and financial intermediaries, the Data Protection Authority or the judicial authorities.

Sezione di approfondimento

Related Topics

  • Branches

    Banca d'Italia operates throughout the country via its branches located in the regional capitals and in some provincial capitals.

  • Interbank register of bad cheques and payment cards

    A computerised archive of bank and postal cheques and payment that constitutes a service of general economic interest whose purpose is to ensure smooth operation of the payment system.