Campaigns

Chip and PIN

Summary: Changes to the way we all use Credit and Debit Cards

• Changes to the way we all use credit and debit Cards
• Chip and Sign
• What you need to do
• If you need further help

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Changes to the way we all use credit and debit Cards

As some of you may have noticed there are gradual changes underway in the manner that we use our credit and debit cards in shops, restaurants, pubs, garages etc. This program of change has been dubbed ‘Chip & PIN’ and is designed, over the next couple of years, to cut down on the cost of fraudulent use of cards. Banks and credit card companies have started to issue customers with new ‘Chip & PIN’ versions of their debit and credit cards.

Currently when buying goods by credit or debit card we are asked to sign a receipt so that the cashier can check that we are the person authorised to use a particular card. We will, in future, be asked to key a four digit personal identification (PIN) number into a keypad beside the till.

When we reach the checkout in the supermarket we will be asked to hand our card to the cashier who will insert the card into a Chip & PIN machine, they will then ask customers to enter their PIN number into a key pad beside the till. In some shops and restaurants the machine might not be fixed to the side of the till it might be a hand-held model that a waiter can, for example, bring to your table.

Chip and Sign

The banks and credit card issuers do however recognize that using key pads or PIN numbers may be difficult for some blind and partially sighted people and for others too. As a result they have decided that for these people the only option is to issue a card that will still require a signature to verify its use rather than a PIN number. These are called ‘Chip & Signature’ or ‘Chip Suppressed’ cards and will be used in almost exactly the same way as the new ‘Chip & PIN’ Card. The only exception will be that when the card is inserted into the machine the microchip on the card will inform the cashier that this customer will verify their use of the card by signature rather than PIN number. RNIB conducted a mystery shopping exercise to find out how much information is being given to customers.

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Banks and credit card companies have already started to transfer existing customers onto ‘Chip & PIN’ cards. This is often done as a matter of routine when a card reaches its expiry date. Some banks and credit card companies are better than others at making sure that customers are fully informed about what is happening and about the existence of a ‘Chip & Signature’ card for people unable to use the key pad or PIN number.

What you need to do

RNIB strongly advises any blind or partially sighted people who think that they will find using the keypad or PIN number difficult to contact their bank or credit card company as soon as possible. Let them know that you will need a ‘Chip & Signature’ card rather than a ‘Chip & PIN’ card. It is important that people don’t just wait until they are sent a new card because changing a ‘Chip & PIN’ card for a ‘Chip & Signature’ card is likely to take a couple of weeks, this could be very inconvenient if it leaves you without a card to use in the meantime.

Some shops have already installed ‘Chip and PIN’ machines and as mentioned some banks and credit card companies have started to give customers the new ‘Chip & PIN’ cards. Don’t worry if you haven’t got a new card yet. For the time being both the new and old cards can be used in shops regardless of whether they still have the old credit and debit card machines or if they have the new ‘Chip & PIN’ machines installed.

If you need further help

If you find that your bank or credit card company either refuses to issue you with a ‘Chip & Signature’ card or makes it very difficult for you to get one please contact Helen Dearman at RNIB on 020 7391 2083.

Content author: campaigns@rnib.org.uk

Last updated: 08/04/2008 18:39