Installments are a popular form of financing that, according to the “Omni-commerce. I Shop Conveniently 2025” report, is used by nearly every second person making online purchases. This solution genuinely supports customers in their purchasing decisions, as it makes higher-priced products more accessible, spreads the cost over time, and better aligns with one's financial capabilities. But what makes online installments secure?

In this text, you’ll learn what mechanisms protect the interests of both parties. We’ll also explain what to look out for so that both customers and merchants can comfortably use this financing method.

Table of Contents

  • Online Installments - how do they work and how are they different from traditional installment purchases?
  • Are online installments safe?
  • Customer verification and credit scoring
  • Transaction security and data protection
  • Legal regulations and merchant obligations
  • FAQ - frequently asked questions

Key information at a glance:

  • online installments are a fast, convenient, and popular way to finance purchases;
  • the financing process is completed remotely, without visiting a bank or physical store, and a credit decision is made within minutes;
  • creditworthiness verification is automatic and considers, among other things, credit history;
  • Przelewy24 uses SSL/TLS encryption, PCI DSS and ISO/IEC 27001 certification, and sensitive data is not stored on the operator's servers;
  • merchants can offer 0% and interest-bearing installments, and proper presentation of this option in the store increases conversion and cart value.

Online Installments - how do they work and how are they different from traditional installment purchases?

Online installments are a payment method that enables the purchase of products in online stores with payments spread over time. This is a form of installment loan granted entirely remotely: without the need to leave home, visit a bank, or submit physical paper applications.

This sets it apart from traditional installments, which require a personal visit to a physical store, direct contact with a customer adviser, and signing a paper agreement on the spot. The downside of this traditional method is not only the inconvenience of going to the store but also the limited offer. It is also harder to compare loan terms from various merchants. The result? The customer loses time and sometimes money as well.

Online installments simplify this process significantly. During checkout, in the payment gateway, simply select the “installments” option. Then fill out an online application with basic personal information and consent to creditworthiness verification. A decision usually arrives within minutes, and if approved - the merchant immediately receives the full amount for the product, which they can ship to the customer. The buyer also receives a repayment schedule based on the previously agreed terms.

It’s important to note that online installments are not the same as deferred payments. You can learn more in the article “Black Week 2025: how deferred and installment payments work and which option to choose.”

Przelewy24 Installments, BLIK, Google Pay… Discover all payment methods from Przelewy24

Are online installments safe?

Thanks to appropriate customer verification mechanisms, transaction security, and compliance with applicable legal regulations, both buyers and merchants can use installments securely and comfortably.

Customer verification and credit scoring

Automatic systems for verifying a customer’s creditworthiness are used to assess online installment applications. The entire process takes place online. The customer provides basic personal details such as PESEL, name and surname, or address, and their identity is usually verified, for example, by making a 1 PLN transfer.

With this information, the system checks the following within minutes:

  • the customer’s credit history,
  • potential debts,
  • internal scoring assessing insolvency risk.

Because everything is automated, it doesn’t take much time or require involvement from bank or payment operator staff. At the same time, the feedback is accurate and reliable, ensuring transaction security for both the merchant and the customer. The customer gains confidence that the installment value won’t exceed their financial capacity.

Transaction security and data protection

Transaction security at Przelewy24 is based on multiple mechanisms that aim to protect both customer data and financial resources. As a payment provider, we meet international security standards, including PCI DSS. This means that payments are processed in accordance with the highest industry standards.

All information transmitted during the payment process is encrypted using SSL/TLS protocols, protecting it from being intercepted by third parties. Sensitive data, such as payment card details or online banking credentials, is not stored on Przelewy24’s servers — customers enter this data directly on their bank’s secured pages, minimizing the risk of unauthorized use.

It’s also worth noting that Przelewy24 is ISO/IEC 27001 certified. This ensures that procedures are in place to protect data and information assets at every stage of processing.

Legal regulations and merchant obligations

If you want to offer Przelewy24 Installments in your store, you don’t need a separate contract with a bank. All the formalities are handled within your Przelewy24 account. As a merchant, what you should focus on after the technical implementation of this payment method is its promotion. Clear communication – visible installment options on the product page, in the cart, or in static ads – can significantly impact conversion and cart value. Learn how to do it in the guide “About Installments! Boost Sales with Installment Payment Promotions.”

What about legal regulations? As a merchant you are required to:

  • provide the customer with full and transparent information about the financing method, e.g., whether it’s 0% or interest-bearing installments. Inform about the repayment terms (we recommend the installment calculator widget);
  • include in your store's terms and conditions the provisions regarding installments as a payment method;
  • comply with regulations concerning withdrawal from an installment sales agreement and enable returns and claims, which also apply to purchases made by installments (with applicable exceptions). With Przelewy24, this is very simple, as the system also fully handles returns.

FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions

Can online installment purchases be made with an ID card?

Yes, for online installment purchases, in order to apply for credit, the customer usually needs to provide basic personal information, e.g., their ID card number. Many financing systems also require other information, such as contact details and identity verification (e.g., through a 1 PLN verification transfer). This helps to verify the customer’s creditworthiness and assess the safety of granting financing.

Do installment purchases affect the price of the product?

The choice of payment method – whether by installments, online transfer, or BLIK – does not affect the base price of the product. However, the total repayment cost may vary depending on the installment terms the customer chooses (or what's available):

  • 0% installments usually mean that the customer repays exactly the same amount as a one-time payment, with no additional interest;
  • interest-bearing installments involve additional costs (interest or a fee), which increase the total purchase cost.

The customer should be informed about the total cost of installment purchases before finalizing the transaction.

As a seller, can I offer both 0% installments and interest-bearing installments at the same time?

Yes, with Przelewy24 Installments you can combine 0% and interest-bearing options. It’s up to you to decide which option is optimal for a given sales campaign or for specific product groups — for example, you may want to promote 0% installments for shorter repayment periods and simultaneously offer interest-bearing installments for higher purchase amounts or longer-term plans.

In the Przelewy24 offer, you’ll find payment solutions tailored to any business

Sources:

  • “Omni-commerce. I Shop Conveniently 2025” report,
  • Przelewy24 Security, online source: https://www.przelewy24.pl/bezpieczenstwo, access: January 7, 2026