Chip and Pin Credit Cards

[Ware Bears]

Can anyone who's recently got back confirm if the new chip and pin machines are in use over there yet (where you tap your pin in on a little keyboard) or do you still sign your name and have it checked against the signature on your card in the traditional way?

Elaine

 

[Hilary]

Our last trip was in October 2002 and we used the chip and pin then in Walmart - it was the first time I had come across it.

I seem to remember that if you had a card without the chip, they were still happy to accept a signature for the transaction.

 

[Miffy2003]

We also came across this in Walmart in August 2002 and my bank had given me no indication that I had a "chipped" card, however it worked fine when I input my usual cashpoint pin number. I did have a moment of slight panic though, waiting for the FBI to swoop down on me or something...

Karen

 

[MickeyMcMouse]

Even if you have a "chipped" card, you can still opt to sign, I don't think any of the Disney shops had pin pads, but most of the other had the option.

As an aside, after Dec, you will have no option in the UK - you will have to use your pin number. The banks will not assume any responsibility for any credit card transaction if they have not been prossesed by Chip & Pin, and it turns out to be a "bad" transactions - the retailers have no choice if they wish to continue accepting cards.

Don't know how it will work for phone or internet transactions yet.(although I suppose internet transactions could use a pin number as well)

David

 

[psharrock]

MickeyMcMouse

Internet transactions are not covered by chip and pin, but there is a separate scheme for them called Verified by Visa (Visa) and Securecode (Mastercard), switch is not covered yet, but will be in the Securecode scheme in 2005.

It works in a similar way, but you enter a password instead of a PIN, most UK main banks now operate the scheme and some internet retailers

Paul