ChipCard

By storing your card’s data on a chip, your account information can be changed dynamically with every use. This is a big advance from magnetic-stripe cards.

Chip cards protect against fraud resulting from counterfeit, lost and stolen cards by providing strong transaction security features not possible with traditional magnetic-stripe cards. When chip cards were introduced in the U.K., fraud from lost and stolen cards was cut in half.

Chip-enabled payment terminals are slightly different than traditional payment terminals. The cardholder inserts the chip card into the reader. The card stays in the terminal during the transaction, similar to the way some ATMs work today. Depending on the merchant and the purchase amount, a PIN or signature may be required. Although your chip card still has a magnetic stripe to accommodate older terminals, if you swipe your card on a terminal turned on to read chip cards, the terminal may require you to insert your card into the chip reader.

Don’t leave your card behind! Habits can be hard to break, so the first few times you are asked to insert your chip debit card into a chip-enabled terminal might be a little disorienting since you have to briefly let go of your card. Just remember to take your debit card from the terminal after the transaction is completed.

Here are a few questions and answers that we have received.

What is a chip card, and why am I getting one?
Chip cards are payment cards that have an embedded chip. Chip cards offer you advanced security when you use the chip to pay in store.

Why are chip card transactions more secure?
Chip card transactions offer you advanced security for in store payments by making every transaction unique. And, your chip card is more difficult to counterfeit or copy. If the card data and the one-time code are stolen, the information cannot be used to create counterfeit cards and commit fraud.

How do I use my chip card?
During the transition to chip, you can swipe your card as you normally would and follow the prompts. If the terminal is chip-enabled, it will prompt you to insert it instead. If you already know your chip card works there, start by inserting your card.
These basic steps will help ensure successful transactions:
1. Insert your card with the chip toward the terminal, facing up. Do not remove until prompted.
2. Provide your signature or PIN as prompted by the terminal. Some transactions may not require either.
3. When the terminal says the transaction is complete, remove your card.
Always remember when you use your chip card to follow the prompts on the terminal and leave your card inserted until prompted to remove it.

When will I be able to use my chip card at all merchant locations?
Every day, more merchants are becoming chip-enabled to increase security for in store card transactions, so you will start to see these terminals at many of the places you shop today. You will continue to be able to pay at both chip-enabled and non-chip-enabled merchants with the same card.

Can I use my chip card outside of the U.S.?
Yes. Chip cards are widely used in international markets and are accepted in more than 80 countries. Having a chip card will make it easier for you to make purchases when you travel internationally.

If you have any other questions about your EMV chip cards feel free to contact us and we will get your question answered.