Credit Card Chip Security

 

Using your chip card is easy:

• Simply insert your card, face up, and wait for the prompts.
• Sign, if a signature is required.
• Don't forget to take your card when your purchase is complete.

How do I know if my credit card is a chip-and-signature card?

Look for a small square on the front of your card. If you find one, you’ll know that your card is enabled with chip-and-signature technology.

 

What does having a chip-and-signature card mean?

This means that your card has a chip embedded in it which helps make your transactions more secure and fraud more difficult. Encrypting your personal information makes it more difficult for unauthorized users to use your information to create counterfeit cards.

 

How does chip-and-signature technology work to make me more secure?

Every time you make a purchase, the chip that’s embedded in your card generates a unique code. That means that even if your data is stolen it can’t be turned into a counterfeit credit card. It’s another layer of security that helps to protect our customers from card fraud no matter where they shop.

 

Can my card information still be stolen?

The chip-and-signature technology embedded in your card makes it more difficult for a criminal to steal your information. Furthermore, if your information is stolen, chip-and-signature technology ensures it can’t be used to produce a counterfeit credit card. Of course, this technology cannot completely eliminate fraud risk as this stolen information could still be used in certain instances, such as in connection with online fraud.

 

Where can I use my card with chip-and-signature technology?

You can use your card in the same places you always have. It’s accepted at home, abroad and even online.

 

How do I know when I should swipe my card at checkout and when I should insert the chip?

If the vendor you are shopping with has a terminal that accepts chip cards, you will see a slot where the chip end of your card can be inserted for the duration of the transaction. You can also look for prompts on the card reader at checkout.

 

Does my chip-and-signature card require a PIN?

No. Your card does not require a PIN. All that's required to finalize your purchase is your signature. You may be wondering about this because you've heard of chip-and-PIN technology. This type of technology offers similar security features but requires you to enter a PIN rather than sign for your purchases.

 

Can I still make purchases using the magnetic strip on the back of my card?

Yes. There may be some instances where you will still need to swipe the magnetic strip on your card. This will depend on the type of card reader that’s available to you when making a purchase.

 

I recently received a new chip-and-signature credit card, what should I do with my old Credit Card?

You should not continue to use your old Credit Card. Your new card with chip-and-signature technology is intended to replace it. To keep your information secure, you should cut or shred your old card before throwing it away.

 

I have recurring payments set up on my previously issued Credit Card. Now that I have a chip-and-signature card, what do I have to do to ensure I don’t miss a payment period?

You can follow the same steps you normally would when you get a new card. Contact any stores or vendors that are authorized to regularly charge your card, and let them know that your billing information has changed. They’ll likely ask you for your new card number along with its expiration date and security code.